The Avengers

[DC 536]

Norton's come across as a bit of a control freak though, to me anyway. He seems to think the franchise won't work without him and is basically way overestimating his influence.

He did exert too much control over the script first time around (and has admitted in interviews that he was "over zealous" in post-production), but if he can be limited to simply acting the part, he's the best guy for the job.

[DC 536]

Ed Norton has officially been dropped from the role and the odds-on favourite to take over is Joaquin Pheonix, but internet campaigns for both Sharlito Copley and Adrien Brody are picking up steam.

[Maxximus 353]

This is bullshit! I am so dissapointed. Joaquin Pheonix is a harelip failure, I don't buy Adrien Brody's acting. I don't like him in anything. He sucks.

 

On the other hand Sharlto Copley could be really good in the Banner role. But, dammit, Ed Norton NAILED Bruce Banner!

[dsrchris 190]

Marvel issued a statement that was basically a kick in the balls to Norton. They imply that Ed wasn't willing to be a team player?

 

Edward Norton 'sad' about Avengers

(UKPA) – 49 minutes ago

Edward Norton has revealed he is "sad" he will not play The Hulk in the new Avengers movie.

Marvel revealed in a statement it was seeking a new actor to play Dr Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk in Buffy The Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon's highly-anticipated summer 2012 blockbuster, as Norton would not be reprising his role from 2008 action movie The Hulk.

And now Ed has written an open letter thanking fans for their "outpouring" in response to the news on his official Facebook page.

He said: "It seems it won't work for me to continue playing Bruce Banner for Marvel in The Avengers. 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 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.

"And I really can't thank fans enough for how much enthusiasm you've sent my way about what [director] Louis [Leterrier] and I tried to do in our turn with the legend. It means a lot to me.

"I grew up with Banner and Hulk and have been a fan of every incarnation. I'm really proud and very blessed to have been one of them and will be thrilled to see him live on through other actors. Hulk is bigger than all of us, that's why we love him, right?"

Marvel Studios said: "Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but rooted in 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, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks."

 

Classy Marvel, real classy.

[DC 536]

To be fair to Marvel, Norton was a bit of a dick last time out and, with a huge ensemble cast like The Avengers, they can't afford to have someone who could cause more problems.

[dsrchris 190]

Yeah, I can understand that, but the statement they put out was a bit harsh. If I was Ed Norton, I wouldn't be best pleased.

[DC 536]

Mark Ruffalo is now the new front-runner to take over the role of Bruce Banner.

[Maxximus 353]

Yeah, I can see that. Still bummed about Ed Norton, but not much can be done about it. Just need to accept it and move on.

[DC 536]

Joss Whedon confirmed that he'll be directing this at Comic-Con.

 

EDIT - I forgot to mention, but at Mark Ruffalo has all but been confirmed as taking over the Bruce Banner role as well.

Edited July 24, 2010 by DC

[DC 536]

In more news, Hawkeye has been added to the list of superheros (YAY!) and Jeremy Renner is the man who'll be firing the arrows.

 

Here are some pics from the panel where all of the current cast where present.

 

Sam Jackson with Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner

http://i26.tinypic.com/w7beo1.jpg

 

 

Robert Downey Jr (and not, as I first thought, Jonathon Ross), Clark Gregg, Scarlet Johansson,

Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Sam Jackson

http://i25.tinypic.com/10dy7bq.jpg

 

 

The Avengers are finally assembled...

 

Iron Man, Agent Coulson, Black Widow, Thor, Captain America, Nick Fury,

Hawkeye, The Incredible Hulk (with Joss Whedon and Man-in-Hat on the right)

http://i25.tinypic.com/nw6si.jpg

 

 

Larger shot of everyone (click for huge image)

http://i26.tinypic.com/28v6syw.jpg

Edited July 25, 2010 by DC

[Guest Sparrow]

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/The_lionhart/avengerslinecomicstageNICEfull.jpg

 

:eek:celb2::celb8::tban:clap:snf50::jump:vio3:

[DC 536]

***THE TRAILER HAS ARRIVED***

 

OH MY GOD!!! We've got Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, Black Widow, Nick Fury, Thor and Hawkeye all working together.

 

[YOUTUBE]-fCTokuOU_E[/YOUTUBE]

[Guest Reno]

You do realise that's a fake trailer right? :lol It's by the same guy who did the 1950's Empire Strikes Back trailer.

[DC 536]

You do realise that's a fake trailer right?

*deadpan*

 

Thanks for pointing that out to me, for I would never have guessed this wasn't made in 2010 by Joss Whedon and starred, among others, Robert Downey Junior and Chris Evans. Never mind the 1952 in the title, for that clue was too subtle for me.

 

:lol

[DC 536]

Don Cheadle has been confirmed as a cast member as well, meaning War Machine will also be part of The Avengers.

[Guest Reno]

*deadpan*

 

Thanks for pointing that out to me, for I would never have guessed this wasn't made in 2010 by Joss Whedon and starred, among others, Robert Downey Junior and Chris Evans. Never mind the 1952 in the title, for that clue was too subtle for me.

 

:lol

 

You never know, maybe someone would've thought it was the real trailer, just with a 1950's style to stand out from other trailers. :P

[DC 536]

Another new addition to the cast as the rather good looking Cobie Smulders (Robin Scherbatsky from How I Met Your Mother) is rumoured to have been given the role of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill.

 

AICN

[DC 536]

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!!! Although, all of this may end up in the trailer anyway.

Word is that Loki (the villain from Thor) will be at least one of the antagonists in The Avengers and Latino Review (who are normally on the money) have heard from an inside source that Loki will be using the Cosmic Cube seen in the picture I posted from Captain America: The First Avenger to bring forth The Skrulls.

 

Could be interesting.

AICN

[Guest Saz]

Odd, I always thought the skrulls were a Fantastic Four villain/race

[Evil Gringo 279]

Secret Invasion after the Civil War was a whole Universe arc that featured the Skrulls as the main villians of the peace.