Edward Norton Addresses Being Dropped as Hulk from ‘The Avengers’

Over the weekend, rumors started to make the rounds that Marvel had decided to take a risk by dropping Edward Norton as The Hulk in the upcoming “The Avengers.” While the studio insisted the decision was not prompted by money disagreements but rather by the fact that Norton is rather difficult to work with, his rep said shortly after that it did boil down to that, E! Online informs. Norton, on the other hand, is playing it cool.

After much talk and even more speculation on dedicated forums, the actor has decided to be the one that sets the record straight in a statement on his Facebook page. Since Marvel announced he would no longer be a part of the film, the outpour of support from fans has been downright amazing, and it is to them that he owes an explanation. Sadly for gossip lovers, Norton doesn’t really offer an explanation for why he’s no longer part of the cast, but rather an apology for things that will not end up as planned.

“I am so appreciative of the outpouring of support from fans of the Hulk and The Avengers that I feel it would be rude not to respond. So here goes: It seems it won’t work out for me to continue playing Bruce Banner for Marvel in The Avengers. I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn’t turned out as well as we hoped. I know this is disappointing to many people and that makes me sad. But I am very sincerely grateful to Marvel for extending the offer and even more so for giving me the chance to be a part of the Hulk’s long and excellent history,” the actor says, managing to be extremely diplomatic about a potentially explosive situation.

His rep, though, is not as delicate about the feelings of those with Marvel. Brian Swardstrom, Norton’s agent, has blasted the claims made by the Marvel president, namely that they wanted someone more involved than Ed, as “unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory.” “Marvel subsequently made him a financial offer to be in the film and both sides started negotiating in good faith. This past Wednesday, after several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions, but before we had come to terms on a deal, a representative from Marvel called to say they had decided to go in another direction with the part. [It was a] financial decision, but, whatever the case, it is completely their prerogative, and we accepted their decision with no hard feelings,” the agent says.

“The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon, is scheduled to come out in 2012. It also stars Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth. A possible replacement for Norton could be Joaquin Phoenix, who is said to be working on his comeback to cinematography as we speak and who has already been approached by Marvel with an offer, E! says. 

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