The Incredible Hulk Made Marvel Implement a Whole New Rule for New Actors after Edward Norton
Marvel Studios 2008’s The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner a.k.a., the Hulk was the second movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Iron Man. Louis Leterrier directed it from a screenplay by Zak Penn after Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the character.
The movie upon its release received a positive response from the audience as well as the critics. The critics didn’t forget to appreciate the action sequences in the movie that were considered an improvement from 2003’s Hulk but were criticized for the lack of depth. After Mark Ruffalo replaced Edward Norton for the future MCU movies, the studios introduced a new rule for the actors. Let’s find out what was the rule.
Also read: Deleted Scene From The Incredible Hulk Directly Ties 2008 Film To Chris Evans’ Entry in MCU
Marvel Studios introduced ‘no-a**hole policy’ after Edward Norton’s The Incredible Hulk
When we think of Bruce Banner or the Hulk, Mark Ruffalo’s name pops up in our mind but it was Edward Norton who laid the foundation of the character in the MCU. He was however replaced by Ruffalo for future projects in the MCU and recently an unnamed Marvel performer revealed a policy the studios included.
In the behind-the-scenes book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, an unnamed Marvel performer shares with the author Joanna Robinson via Slash Films;
“We have a no-a**hole policy on our movies.”
The policy along with the chapter traces back to 2008 when Norton was playing the character. It was noted that the actor clashed with the makers during the making of the movie and wanted a great amount of control over it. The actor wanted to make a lot of changes in the movie and raised loud objections during the cut of the movie.
The Incredible Hulk was not the only project that suggested that Norton was hard to work with. It was reported that the actor took the final cut of American History X from director Tony Kaye who later disowned the movie. Succession star Brain Cox also penned down in his memoir that Edward Norton is a great person but a bit of a pain in the arse because he fancies himself as a writer-director.
Marvel President Kevin Feige still holds a grudge against the actor and vowed never to work with him again.
Also read: Deleted Scene From Edward Norton’s Hulk Film Was Used By Mark Ruffalo in ‘The Avengers’
Edward Norton did not show interest in CGI filming for The Incredible Hulk
Actor and movement coach Terry Notary who worked with Edward Norton in The Incredible Hulk shared in a behind-the-scenes book that the actor lacked interest in filming CGI scenes. He said via The Direct,
“Norton wasn’t really engaged, as far as the Hulk stuff goes, unless he was transforming from himself into the Hulk. He was not very present through the whole thing. “
He continued and praised actor Tim Roth as he explained,
“Roth is one of those quintessential actors that likes to be involved, wants to make sure that he’s going to look good and his character’s going to look good.”
According to various crew members, the actor just made the entire VFX process so challenging that it was for everyone involved in the making of the movie. Mark Ruffalo was reportedly always the first choice to play Hulk but Marvel pushed for Norton but eventually went back to Ruffalo.
