Mark Ruffalo Candidly Talks Awkward Edward Norton Hulk Replacement Situation
Back in Phase 1, The Incredible Hulk star Edward Norton was replaced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with actor Mark Ruffalo, who recently opened up about the awkward situation. Released in 2008, The Incredible Hulk introduced the MCU's Hulk with Norton, following the success of MCU starter Iron Man that same year. A number of behind-the-scenes issues led to Norton exiting the role after the movie's release, with Ruffalo officially announced as the new Hulk actor in 2010 for The Avengers. Now that some characters from The Incredible Hulk have returned to the MCU, Ruffalo has opened up about the awkward replacement.
Speaking at Emerald City Comic-Con (via The Direct), Ruffalo — who has not had a Hulk movie due to MCU rights problems — spoke about replacing The Incredible Hulk's Norton as Bruce Banner in the MCU. According to the actor, he reached out to Norton, and even though the situation was awkward, the previous Hulk actor showed no grudge against Ruffalo, who revealed the two are friends and "it’s never come up as an issue." Check out the full quote below:
Awkward. (laughs) No, I mean, I didn’t talk to him, but I reached out to him, as we do now when we don’t want to talk. And I was like, ‘Hey, man,’ and he’s like, ‘No, it’s fine.’ I mean, it was weird. It was even weird when Robert Downey Jr., at Comic-Con [in 2010], when introducing me, said, ‘And now reprising the role of the Hulk, is Mark Ruffalo.’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah– Huh?’
But you know, Ed’s… I don’t think… I don’t know how attached to it Ed was, you know, ultimately. I think he was like, ‘Oh, thank God. Let Ruffalo deal with it.’ But he’s been beautiful. We’re friends. It’s never come up as an issue. I’m blessed.