SMASH CLUB: Who Will Replace Edward Norton as Bruce Banner (The Incredible Hulk) in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers?

Now that Marvel has announced that Edward Norton, who played Dr. Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (2008), will NOT be returning to play the role one more time in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers, some fans are outraged and many are speculating on exactly who might take over the role. Remember, Norton himself had replaced Eric Bana from 2003’s The Hulk.

The Incredible Hulk TV star Lou Ferrigno, who played a security guard – possibly the same security guard – in both films and voiced the Hulk in the second, is expected to return as the physical basis for the CGI Hulk (it was Norton last time). FYI: The first celebrity the Action Flick Chick ever interviewed happened to be Lou Ferrigno (“Interview: Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk; I Love You, Man”).

Monday’s Attack of the Show! twitter feed ran tweeters’ suggestions on who should become Banner (which the Chick discovered as a consequence of the Twitter Wall Guy tweeting “@actionchick You tell ’em!” about an unrelated comment of hers 5 minutes till air time).

@aots: Attention AOTS Viewers – Who should replace Ed Norton as The Hulk in The Avengers and why?

The Chick’s wry reply prompted her twitpals to start tweeting their own thoughts on the matter.

@actionchick: Brad Pitt would be strangely appropriate
@ghachey: LOL yeah he screams bookworm abused childhood trauma
@the_frontera: that is a weird and cool idea. but i dont see that happening in ANY lifetime.
@actionchick: nah, I was just thinking Fight Club. RT @ghachey LOL yeah he screams bookworm abused childhood trauma
@certaintragedy: Joss Whedon should. It would be hilarious
@cheesehead1976: It may be easier listing who should NOT be replacing Ed. Norton. Like DiCaprio? NO! Bandares? NO! lol
@Apocalypse2001: Eric Bana: because he was only one true to the character, like rest of cast.
@actionchick: Brad Pitt. “I am Hulk’s angry bowel.”
@KimmieTex: Perfect! RT @actionchick: Brad Pitt. “I am Hulk’s angry bowel.”
@swiv: The 1st rule of Hulk club – “Hulk Smash” The 2nd rule of Hulk club “Hulk Smash”

So she just had to ask it herself, both there and on Facebook – and WOW did the replies keep rolling in!

@actionchick: Ed Norton will NOT Hulk out in The Avengers movie. Who should play Bruce Banner?
@Apocalypse2001: Eric Bana: because he was only one true to the character, like the rest of cast. #whoshouldplaybrucebanner
@JerryBFlory: John Cera should replace Norton, because if they’re going to ruin it they should ruin it completely.
@actionchick: Michael Cera RT @JerryBFlory John Cera
@JerryBFlory: @actionchick Yeah, Michael Cera and while they’re at it they can cast Jack Black as Thor.
@fabgeekling: I think I would like to see Nick Cage in that role.
@MistiCBR: Nobody, clearly no one cares about the Hulk
@the_frontera: ALEX WINTERS!!
@BobbyBless219: Ed Norton should return either way… but if I have to be serious… David Tennant should get the part.
@RyneLanders: really?? That sounds like a disaster. 3 Bruce Banners in 3 films… not good.
@jasperante: Jason Alexander (“George is gettin’ upset!”).
@swiv: Brandon Routh
@the_frontera: ok seriously what about John Hamm from Mad Men. The only problem would be he might be too pretty to be Bruce
@Morecheetos: how about Adrian Brody? HAH RT @actionchick Ed Norton will NOT Hulk out in The Avengers movie. Who should play Bruce Banner?
@Apocalypse2001: @aots @actionchick Some evidence, and points, for blind people to consider: – Of course MARVEL has disdain for (cont) http://tl.gd/2fjrng
@graphicly: I wouldn’t cast Jon Hamm as Bruce Banner. That could lead to less Mad Men.
@PinUpParlour: Adrien Brody is my pick
@jcbaggee: In that vein, http://thehomeworld.net/blog/2010/07/casting-call-the-new-hulk/
@eruditechick: @graphicly @actionchick Um, John Hamm is CLEARLY Dr. Strange. MAYBE Reed Richards. One of those two.
@Morecheetos: David Tennat melikey RT @actionchick Bruce Banner suggestions @fabgeekling Nic Cage,
@BobbyBless219 David Tennant
@Apocalypse2001 Eric Bana
@EmperorOfNerds: @nerdist chris hardwick should be the next hulk #hardwickforhulk
@renesugar: @actionchick RT @nerdist okokok…Norton’s out as Hulk. I think it should be me. I’d Hulk out great! I have scientist moxie! #Hardwick4Hulk
@robcarrphoto: Morton Downey Jr. does a great alcoholic Tony Stark; so Mel Gibson as @DrunkHulk in The Avengers? Did I insult @DrunkHulk?
@donbcivil: Bruce Banner suggestions – Neil Grayston from Eureka. Totally.
@Cavatica: Jason Issacs could do it.
@MarkusHunt: Adrien Brody? If he lost the Christian Bale Batman voice he had in Predators?
@levack: Well, I suggest Mel Gibson, but Im not sure who should play Bruce Banner. Hate filled monster anyone?
@flickdude: Also, why not Rob Pattinson for Hulk? “Hulk SPARKLE!!!!”
@AyeQue: RT @BobbyBless219 David Tennant <<< david i like about
@flickdude: I will also accept “Hulk TWINKLE!!!!”, “Hulk EMOTE!!!!”, and “Hulk need SHAMPOO!!!!!”
@MarronMarvel: How about Ed Norton? #TEAMEDWARD
@pzomb: anybody mention Christian Bale for Hulk? he sure has the anger….
@ninaL12: #Pattinson gets suggested all the time..lol
@gammaduck: Sharto Copely, David Tennant, Bill Hader
@TheYoungLiar: i heard they want to go with Joaquin Phoenix. He’s been pretty crazy lately so that might work, but still he doesn’t suit it.
@Slickriptide: Gonna pull one outta left field and say Danny Pino (aka Cold Case det. Scotty Valens)
@Morecheetos: maybe it’s about time they brought back Lou Ferrigno? Would cost less CGI hah
@donbcivil: Ya know, with that pic of Whedon and a few others out last week, I wonder if Joss is thinking Alan Tudyk for David Banner…
@TheYoungLiar: why not Topher Grace? he’s already done a comic book movie, and he was pretty good as a genius doctor in Predators.
@cheesehead1976: Bruce Banner: Christian Kane (TNT’s Leverage), Patrick Wilson, Sam Trammel or Stephen Moyer (True Dud…I mean Blood)
@geekgirls: i really appreciate it and if you cant come, at least you have a serious kick ass reason 😉
@TheComicArchive: I would cast Jeremy Davies. He would rock it so hard.
@Okoye16: wait hulk sparkle. so the hulk is a vampire now lmao
@DoctorCaos: Tobey Maguire
@Apocalypse2001: problem with Christian Bale, is he had bad voice direction in D.K.. No good.
@livingdedguy: anyone mention Jeffrey Donovan yet?
@ebrown2112: I think @Jeffrey_Donovan would make a great Bruce Banner.
@Lunachique: TOTALLY Jeffrey Donovan!
@BuddhaTheGeek: How about John Barrowman as Bruce Banner. I think he could pull it off. about
@AJandLoki: New Banner…what’s that guy’s name… Jay Baruchel? Too young?
@jasondvdtvwatch: how about josh brolin? For banner?
@actonchick: too old?
@jasondvdtvwatch: OLD!!LOL
@ beckiejane77: david boreanaz
@CarterFanboy: Norton is the ONLY one who should play him. I’m not gonna settle for Joaquin f***ing Phoenix
@PoisonLolita: Josh Hartnett might be kind of ok for Bruce Banner.
@amihama: Josh Holloway for Bruce Banner!
@ Donajai: YES John Barrowman!
@Jeff_isChill: Sharlto Copley = Bruce Banner he looks damn near like the one in the animated Ultimate Avengers movie.
@robdog1921: Josh Holloway! , now that’s a damn fine idea!
@DrNvrmore: New Bruce Banner: Christian Bale… He’s already accustom to answering to Bruce. 1 actor 2 heroes is all the rage in Hollywood.
@devtony: Has Bill Bixby been suggested? [too dead?] (sorry…) #lovedthetvseries
@Apocalypse2001: @SaraBoxoffice (Please RT) unless they correct the change they made to HULKs transformation (cont) http://tl.gd/2fmta1
@horrorbooks: I love Josh Holloway, but as Bruce Banner? C’mon. Holloway should be playing Jim Rockford.
@horrorbooks: Here’s a Bruce Banner recast suggestion for you: Seth Green. He’s old enough now, and he’d be great
@GirlInRowB: I second the David Boreanaz suggestion! I can’t picture Joaquin Phoenix as Bruce Banner at all!!
@nathanisthebest: #JeremyDavies4Hulk
@Shadowbat: Colin Hanks for bruce Banner!
@xarcex: Jason Flemyng could be Bruce Banner
@YogaArmy: Bruce Banner suggestions Norton was perfect. Loved him in The Illusionist. Christin Bale would be GR8 – he rocked The Prestige
@religionbites: @eddiemcclintock
@gammaduck: How about Paul Rudd or SNL’s Bill Hader for Banner? Or Bryan Cranston, if they want to skew a bit older.
@tragedyman: This inspired me to come up with the best Bruce Banner suggestion ever: Eddie Deezen.
@beckiejane77: @actionchick Who do you think it should be? How bout eric bana?….woops, he was already the hulk…lol
@bentoboxx: I vote Zombie Bill Bixby
@Movie_Buff24: Why not Chris Evans? He is already 2 Marvel characters…why not make it 3?
@csdaly: Dominic West- Bruce Anna Friel or January Jones Betty – Josh Holloway – Doc Samson
@sesho1 Betty White as Bruce Banner. Or Gene Simmons would be a good choice.
@CapFilms: Bruce Banner suggestion: Mel Gibson. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry or drunk or awake or…

Brandon Wolgast: Eric Bana.
Wayne Borowski: Me
Marcus Kempton: Andy Serkis mo-capped as Bill Bixby.
Scott Dorian Dancer: dont matter. hulks way cooler than bruce anyway. but to play fair i will say vincent cassel.
Jonathan Miller: Well that sucks & blows, I’ll go with someone odd. Freddy Prince Jr.
Nikki Stack: Norman Reedus =) Yummmmmy
Greg Lemons: Vikkers or whatever the guys name is from District 9.
Coop Cooper: Stan Lee. According to him, he actually turned into the Hulk once.
Chris Edwards: Mel Gibson or Christian Bale. Just leave the camera running.
Dennis Ash: Pee Wee Herman
Russell Allen Pinkston: Since Edward Norton won’t be allowed to do it…I vote is for the Screen Team’s Fanboy….he did great as Bruce Banner in the Kick Ass News skit! http://www.youtube.com/user/ScreenTeamShow#p/u/15/gM2i6mTuRP That “Ruff Crimefighter” sure does look familiar!
Preston Kane Harrell: ‎🙁 That sucks…..I’ll say Ethan Hawke
Angelica Clarke: adrien brody
Mark Espinosa: Will Smith.
Clinton J. Madrill: Agree with Angelica
Alex Langley: BOO! Ed Norton was a fantastic Banner! My vote goes to Sharlto “That dude from District 9 and The A-team” Copely.
Carter Friend: Ok first of all, for all the people saying it doesn’t matter who plays Banner, and all people wanna see is Hulk, you’re dead wrong. Banner is a much more interesting complex character, Hulk is just more fun to watch
Gil Paulsen:  i am bummed but i guess you can only complain so much , maybe they will get ………Bruce campbell lol

@ghachey: how about Steve buscemi did I spell that right? For banner
@demophon: Bruce Banner played by Steve Buscemi XD
@donaldpoquiz: Steve Buscemi would be awesome as bruce banner, hahaha
@PapaLlama: @RocketLlama You didn’t suggest Steve Buscemi for Bruce Banner?! You suggest Steve Buscemi for everything!
@TheYoungLair: I always thought Buscemi should be Banner because in some of the comics he’s drawn as a broken down skinny guy.
@TheYoungLiar: a good example http://bit.ly/90s5xs but there was one poster of Banner cowering in a corner and it looked just like Steve

Click to visit the full-sized sketches. Thanks, Steve!

All the Steve Buscemi talk prompted director and animator Steve Gordon to weigh in:

@s_e_gordon: @actionchick Buscemi is who I used as a model for Banner in Ultimate Avengers http://yfrog.com/7fpv4lj

‘Nuff said?

Related posts:
* “Interview: Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk; I Love You, Man”
* Single-Shot Interviews: Worst Superpower, Celebrity Takes
* The Incredible Lou
* The 2nd Moment Surreal Moment: Batman and Papa Llama Meet the Incredible Hulk