On Friday, Hitflix reported that Marvel would not be calling Ed Norton to play Bruce Banner/The Hulk in The Avengers. After giving it a few days, this news is definitely confirmed. Unfortunately, Norton is definitely out.

Let’s start at the beginning. Friday, Hitflix broke the story that Marvel would not be asking Edward Norton to return as The Hulk. On the surface it sounded as if the much-publicized disagreements between Norton and Marvel over The Incredible Hulk had continued, and that creative differences had led to the split. However, this was definitely not the case. Norton was very interested in returning for The Avengers, had been approached by Marvel, and was in the process of civil negotiations. He had even met with Joss Whedon, and everything was going smoothly until seemingly out-of-the-blue Marvel decided to “go in another direction.”

The next day, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige confirmed the news with this statement:

“We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead 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.”

Norton’s agent Brian Swardstrom, responded with:

“This offensive statement from Kevin Feige at Marvel is a purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light. Here are the facts: two months ago, Kevin called me and said he wanted Edward to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. He told me it would be his fantasy to bring Edward on stage with the rest of the cast at ComiCon and make it the event of the convention. When I said that Edward was definitely open to this idea, Kevin was very excited and we agreed that Edward should meet with Joss Whedon to discuss the project. Edward and Joss had a very good meeting (confirmed by Feige to me) at which Edward said he was enthusiastic at the prospect of being a part of the ensemble cast. Marvel subsequently made him a financial offer to be in the film and both sides started negotiating in good faith. This past Wednesday, after several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions, but before we had come to terms on a deal, a representative from Marvel called to say they had decided to go in another direction with the part. 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.”

This led to a very vocal backlash at Marvel. Passing over Norton, a great actor who obviously loves the character, was bad enough. But the way they did it was even worse. I mean, Marvel has the opportunity to make the biggest geek movie ever and they’re dropping the ball. They already know that this movie is guaranteed to make a killing at the box office, but that doesn’t give them an excuse to forget their fanbase.

This whole ordeal just goes to show that Marvel isn’t as concerned with making a seamless bridge from their individual superheroes to The Avengers as we were led to believe. I’m sure that the movie will still be amazing to watch, but that break in continuity will hurt a little.

Yesterday, Norton released a statement of his own on his official Facebook page:

“As most of you know, I don’t like to talk much about the business of making movies because it means a lot to me to protect the audience’s fullest enjoyment of the ‘magic’ that films can have. But I am so appreciative of the outpouring of support from the fans of the Hulk and the Avengers that I feel it would be rude not to respond. So here goes: It seems it won’t work out 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 very 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 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. 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?

So, Norton bows out with class. Still, this whole story is very disappointing. I’m curious to see who will be chosen to replace him. CHUD posted a rumor that Joaquin Phoenix was approached for the role but that has not been confirmed. Presumably, we will have an announcement at Comic-Con next weekend.

Although production has been underway for quite a while now, we were finally treated to a first look at Thor as he appears in the upcoming film today, courtesy of Yahoo.

To get straight to the point, view the picture below:

This is the first official image from the film, and shows how close this movie is aiming to be to the comics. Although it’s not much (no hammer or helmet yet), it should whet your appetite for another addition to Marvel’s ever-expanding cinematic universe.

As I’ve said before, I absolutely cannot wait for this movie! I don’t even know the comics that well but I think this film has potential to be one of the greatest superhero flicks ever.

Thor is directed by Kenneth Branagh, stars Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-wielding god/superhero, and smashes into theaters May 6, 2011.

I am not a Thor fan, so I was never particularly interested in the upcoming movie. However, an interview with the director over at Hero Complex, has me very excited for the film.

So, here’s a quick primer on the upcoming Marvel film, Thor: (WARNING: I wouldn’t consider the following spoilers as all it is is general backstory from the comics. However, if you wish to remain completely clean, you may want to stop reading.)

• The character was created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby and based on Norse Mythology.
• The general plotline is this: The Mighty Thor, a powerful warrior in the realm of Asgard, is cast down to Earth by his father, Odin, in order to teach him humility. While forced to live among humans, he learns what true hero really is and must use all his strength to thwart an invasion by the darkest forces of Asgard.
• The film will switch between Asgard, the home of the Asgardians, and present-day earth.
• Chris Hemsworth will play the titular role, with Sir Anthony Hopkins portraying his father. Tom Hiddleston is Thor’s stepbrother and arch-nemesis, Loki. Natalie Portman and Jaimie Alexander are Thor’s two love interests, from Earth and Asgard, respectively. Joshua Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, and Ray Stevenson are the warriors known as The Warriors Three, and the rest of the supporting cast includes Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, as well as Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.
• The movie is being directed by Kenneth Branagh, who is best known for his several Shakespeare adaptations.
• Thor is set to be released May 6th, 2011.

So, what changed my mind about the movie? In the interview, Branagh had this to say about his film:

“Inspired by the comic book world both pictorially and compositionally at once, we’ve tried to find a way to make a virtue and a celebration of the distinction between the worlds that exist in the film but absolutely make them live in the same world. It’s about finding the framing style, the color palette, finding the texture and the amount of camera movement that helps celebrate and express the differences and the distinctions in those worlds. If it succeeds, it will mark this film as different…. The combination of the primitive and the sophisticated, the ancient and the modern, I think that potentially is the exciting fusion, the exciting tension in the film.”

This shows how much passion the director, who is a huge Thor fan, is putting into the project. He is taking the comic book and, rather than hype it up for mass appeal, bringing the inherently Shakespearean aspects of the story to the forefront. Combine this with a stellar cast, and you should have an amazing film.

After seeing the comic-book movie genre explode, this is the kind of creativity that distinguishes a “Dark Knight” from a “Wolverine.” Exciting action is fun, but a fantastic story and good filmmaking are what really matters, and that is why I am really looking forward to this film.

Have you seen Iron Man yet? If not what are you waiting for? Go out and see it this weekend.

Prior to the May 2nd debut there was talk all over the Internet that Hillary Swank would have a cameo part in the movie along with the now known Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury scene. However it is now being reported that this rumor was just that…a rumor and there was no truth at all to any of it.

Cinematical notes that former Marvel Studio head honcho Avi Arad had come out and said she was never part of the story, had never been cast, and was not in the movie at all. You can read more about it by clicking this link.

Who would Hillary have played? I think she was going to be the Black Widow who is an agent of S.H.E.I.L.D and works as Fury’s right-hand person.

Another rumor making the rounds is for the Incredible Hulk. There had been rumors for the past few weeks that Sam Jackson would turn up as Nick Fury in Hulk along with Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark AND someone as Captain America. It seems that Captain America will not be in the movie afterall no.

It seems that one day Leterrier says we the audience will “have to look hard and to see him” and the next Leterrier says that the scene was cut from the movie and may be on the DVD.  Click this link to read more.

All in all Iron Man and The Incredibule Hulk are making grounds for 2011 when the Avengers movie is out for all to see.

Iron Man is a great movie to say the least but come on! The film opens today and talks about a 2010 sequel is already in the works? Damn the interwebs and all of its greedy knowledge mongers!

I know that Jon Favreau has been very clear that Iron Man is the start of a trilogy but can he get all of the actors to return for them? What can be done in 2 more films? Continue on with the story line of the comics? Include Nick Fury and his S.H.I.E.L.D or what?

What do you all think? Voice your opinion about this. Is it to early for us to start talking about a movie that may happen in 2010?

Sources: Comics2Film via Movie-Moron