This really sucks. Norton was great as Banner, but Marvel decided to cheap out.

Edward Norton is not going green after being dropped as the Hulk.

The "Incredible Hulk" star has released a calm statement to his fans on Facebook in response to reports that he will not reprise his role as the Hulk for "The Avengers."

"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," his statement reads.

The 40-year-old actor added that it was not for want of trying that he didn't nab the role of Bruce Banner, which he first played in 2008.

"I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn't turned out as well as we hoped," he wrote. "I know this is disappointing to many people and that makes me sad."

Norton concluded that he is "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."

His reponse comes after his agent hit out at Marvel for releasing a statement to Hit Fix that Norton would not be returning as the Hulk because of "the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members."

'"The Avengers" demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble,' the Marvel spokesman added.

Norton's agent, Brian Swardstrom, told Hit Fix that the statement was "unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory."

He added that Marvel had made Norton an offer but after several weeks of discussion, they called to say they had decided to "go in another direction," which he assumed was a financial decision.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the "Hulk" part of the role, all CGI anyway?

Wasn't he a huge pain in the ass while filiming the Hulk movie? I think he just burned the bridge and they didn't want to deal with him on this new movie.

I wish they would just leave the Hulk completely out of the movie. Who needs a stupid CGI cartoon in there anyway?

Efan said:

I wish they would just leave the Hulk completely out of the movie. Who needs a stupid CGI cartoon in there anyway?

That's ridiculous. The Hulk was the reason the Avengers formed in the first place.

uPtoWnNY said:

Efan said:

I wish they would just leave the Hulk completely out of the movie. Who needs a stupid CGI cartoon in there anyway?

That's ridiculous. The Hulk was the reason the Avengers formed in the first place.

Meh. I hope they have a new storyline for the movie. There's no need for them to hew to the comics for this particular part.

The bottom line is this: CGI sucks. It's nowhere near good enough to make the Hulk look good on film. CGI has failed the Hulk miserably in two films already. If they need to use CGI for the Hulk, then I hope they leave him out. If they have an actual gigantic human being to play him in the movie--then that's cool and I'm all for it.

what happened to Eric Bana?

they should ditch all this Avengers shit and do a West Coast Avengers movie...that way if it's shitty, nobody would really give a fuck...

Tigra....

and I wish they'd do a damn Moon Knight movie...

[Edited 7/13/10 12:16pm]

Efan said:

uPtoWnNY said:

That's ridiculous. The Hulk was the reason the Avengers formed in the first place.

Meh. I hope they have a new storyline for the movie. There's no need for them to hew to the comics for this particular part.

The bottom line is this: CGI sucks. It's nowhere near good enough to make the Hulk look good on film. CGI has failed the Hulk miserably in two films already. If they need to use CGI for the Hulk, then I hope they leave him out. If they have an actual gigantic human being to play him in the movie--then that's cool and I'm all for it.

The Hulk plays an integral part in the Avengers. While I'll that the first incarnation with Eric Bana, sucked, the "remake" with Ed was not that bad and the Hulk looked better. Leaving him out of the storyline would not be the same movie. I mean, just look at the "Last Airbender". It's not entirely the same as the cartoon and because of that, it sucks.

shorttrini said:

Efan said:

Meh. I hope they have a new storyline for the movie. There's no need for them to hew to the comics for this particular part.

The bottom line is this: CGI sucks. It's nowhere near good enough to make the Hulk look good on film. CGI has failed the Hulk miserably in two films already. If they need to use CGI for the Hulk, then I hope they leave him out. If they have an actual gigantic human being to play him in the movie--then that's cool and I'm all for it.

The Hulk plays an integral part in the Avengers. While I'll that the first incarnation with Eric Bana, sucked, the "remake" with Ed was not that bad and the Hulk looked better. Leaving him out of the storyline would not be the same movie. I mean, just look at the "Last Airbender". It's not entirely the same as the cartoon and because of that, it sucks.

If they get a real person to play him, I say go for it. Otherwise, they might as well put Jar-Jar Binks in there.

shorttrini said:

Efan said:

Meh. I hope they have a new storyline for the movie. There's no need for them to hew to the comics for this particular part.

The bottom line is this: CGI sucks. It's nowhere near good enough to make the Hulk look good on film. CGI has failed the Hulk miserably in two films already. If they need to use CGI for the Hulk, then I hope they leave him out. If they have an actual gigantic human being to play him in the movie--then that's cool and I'm all for it.

The Hulk plays an integral part in the Avengers. While I'll that the first incarnation with Eric Bana, sucked, the "remake" with Ed was not that bad and the Hulk looked better. Leaving him out of the storyline would not be the same movie. I mean, just look at the "Last Airbender". It's not entirely the same as the cartoon and because of that, it sucks.

Exactly. The movie would suck without The Hulk. And he looked much better in the second film.

They have no choice but to use CGI to portray a 7 foot, 1000+ pound monster. A regular human wouldn't work.

[Edited 7/13/10 12:19pm]

I do not know who this "Hulk" is

kpowers said:

I do not know who this "Hulk" is

uPtoWnNY said:

They have no choice but to use CGI to portray a 7 foot, 1000+ pound monster. A regular human wouldn't work.

[Edited 7/13/10 12:19pm]

...hello? Lou Ferrigno?!?

BklynBabe said:

uPtoWnNY said:

They have no choice but to use CGI to portray a 7 foot, 1000+ pound monster. A regular human wouldn't work.

[Edited 7/13/10 12:19pm]

...hello? Lou Ferrigno?!?

As ironic as that sounds, the closest thing to the "real" hulk, was the Ed Norton version. As much as I liked the TV show, that version of the hulk was "watered down", especially to those who knew and read the comic book.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:26pm]

thejason said:

kpowers said:

I do not know who this "Hulk" is

Oh that creature, he stinks.

thejason said:

kpowers said:

I do not know who this "Hulk" is

i bet this comic was a ridiculous mess

InsatiableCream said:

thejason said:

i bet this comic was a ridiculous mess

Batman beat Hulk! you rock kp!

That really sucks. Ed Norton was a great Bruce Banner.

They probably want to find some twenty-something actor six-pack abs that will draw in the pubescent girls.

That was a classy statement, IMO.

He showed respect to Marvel, didn't bitch, and was gracious toward his fans.

BklynBabe said:

InsatiableCream said:

i bet this comic was a ridiculous mess

Batman beat Hulk! you rock kp!

wtf

i really love Batman but....just how?

InsatiableCream said:

BklynBabe said:

Batman beat Hulk! you rock kp!

wtf

i really love Batman but....just how?

I got my ways

uPtoWnNY said:

Efan said:

I wish they would just leave the Hulk completely out of the movie. Who needs a stupid CGI cartoon in there anyway?

That's ridiculous. The Hulk was the reason the Avengers formed in the first place.

And the Hulk was also the reason why Captain America became a member. Despite maintaining co-founders status with Iron Man, Thor, Dr. Pym, & Wasp, Hulk was NEVER mentally stable enough to be a team player. Captain America was a smart replacement that quickly earn the leadership role.

thejason said:

kpowers said:

I do not know who this "Hulk" is

Remember the DC Universe vs. Marvel Universe storyline during the short run of Amalgam Comics? Superman kicked the Hulk's ass! And the fight between Captain America & Batman ended in a tie draw.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:08pm]

thejason said:

they should ditch all this Avengers shit and do a West Coast Avengers movie...that way if it's shitty, nobody would really give a fuck...

Tigra....

and I wish they'd do a damn Moon Knight movie...

[Edited 7/13/10 12:16pm]

I agree with the bold part. And if I were two-dimensional, I'd bang Tigra.

And Superman beating the Hulk is bullshit. Batman beating anyone who isn't a normal everyday guy in a bad Halloween outfit is also bullshit.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:45pm]

TonyVanDam said:

thejason said:

Remember the DC Universe vs. Marvel Universe storyline during the short run of Amalgam Comics? Superman kicked the Hulk's ass! And the fight between Captain America & Batman ended in a tie draw.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:08pm]

I knew the guy wasn't evil so I held back

[Edited 7/13/10 21:20pm]

FauxReal said:

thejason said:

they should ditch all this Avengers shit and do a West Coast Avengers movie...that way if it's shitty, nobody would really give a fuck...

Tigra....

and I wish they'd do a damn Moon Knight movie...

[Edited 7/13/10 12:16pm]

I agree with the bold part. And if I were two-dimensional, I'd bang Tigra.

And Superman beating the Hulk is bullshit. Batman beating anyone who isn't a normal everyday guy in a bad Halloween outfit is also bullshit.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:45pm]

I did that

FauxReal said:

thejason said:

they should ditch all this Avengers shit and do a West Coast Avengers movie...that way if it's shitty, nobody would really give a fuck...

Tigra....

and I wish they'd do a damn Moon Knight movie...

[Edited 7/13/10 12:16pm]

I agree with the bold part. And if I were two-dimensional, I'd bang Tigra.

And Superman beating the Hulk is bullshit. Batman beating anyone who isn't a normal everyday guy in a bad Halloween outfit is also bullshit.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:45pm]

1. Superman can fly. Hulk can only jump.

2. Superman has heat vision. Hulk does not.

3. Superman has ice breath. Hulk does not.

4. Superman can run faster than a speeding bullet. Hulk is faster than a monkey.

5. Superman is strong enough to move a planet! Hulk is strong enough to move a mountain.

Based on THESE^ facts alone, both the editors of DC & Marvel agree that Superman really can AND does whipped Hulk's ass.

TonyVanDam said:

FauxReal said:

I agree with the bold part. And if I were two-dimensional, I'd bang Tigra.

And Superman beating the Hulk is bullshit. Batman beating anyone who isn't a normal everyday guy in a bad Halloween outfit is also bullshit.

[Edited 7/13/10 20:45pm]

1. Superman can fly. Hulk can only jump.

2. Superman has heat vision. Hulk does not.

3. Superman has ice breath. Hulk does not.

4. Superman can run faster than a speeding bullet. Hulk is faster than a monkey.

5. Superman is strong enough to move a planet! Hulk is strong enough to move a mountain.

Based on THESE^ facts alone, both the editors of DC & Marvel agree that Superman really can AND does whipped Hulk's ass.

Yes Clark can kick Hulks ass easily

[Edited 7/14/10 1:39am]

In all honest, I didn't care for Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, he was better than the last guy but I still felt like he was on auto pilot the entire movie.

Also, it doesn't really matter who they get to play Bruce Banner in the Avengers movie. He probably won't be getting too much screen time anyway.

Hulk is way cooler than that geeky superman btw.

They could use a really big guy as Hulk with the aid of CGI though. Just paint the guy green and give him some fake muscles - then just blow up his size with a computer. CGI tends to suck only when they try to create the characters from scratch.