Edward Norton Out of Avengers, Slammed by Marvel CEO - Page 2
"This offensive statement from Kevin Feige at Marvel is a purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light... This seemed to us to be a financial decision but, whatever the case, it is completely their prerogative, and we accepted their decision with no hard feelings."
See that, Norton's people turned it around and said their issues stemmed from money, not some kind of artistic difference — and that is an important distinction to make in the public eye. Industry insiders could accept that an A-list actor like Norton would walk away from a film if he was being underpaid, but no one wants to be seen as being difficult, uncooperative or just plain lazy.
We may never know exactly what went south in the negotiations for this role. Norton is a charismatic actor who has done an amazing job in virtually every role he's played, so I just can't see him not putting his all into a project, especially one with him starring opposite Robert Downey, Jr., Scartlett Johannson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson and Don Cheadle. But clearly something untoward happened. Ed Norton released his own statement on his Facebook account, which in comparison to the other two statements was measured and reasonable:
"I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn't turned out as we all 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 part of the Hulk's long and excellent history. And I really can't thank the fans enough for how much enthusiasm you've sent my way about what Louis and I tried to do in our turn with the legend.... Hulk is bigger than all of us, that's why we love him, right?"
So, who do you think should replace Norton as the Hulk?
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