It’s hard to imagine a time when Marvel movies weren’t huge hits, but back in 2008, the studio was still establishing itself. After the unexpected success of Iron Man, Marvel released The Incredible Hulk, aiming to improve upon the somewhat disappointing 2003 film directed by Ang Lee. While not perfect, The Incredible Hulk was seen as a positive move for the character. A lot of the credit went to Edward Norton, who many fans considered the best live-action Bruce Banner. However, when The Avengers came together in 2012, Norton was replaced by Mark Ruffalo in the role.
Replacing a main actor in an ongoing movie series is a big decision, and the breakup between Edward Norton and Marvel Studios wasn’t friendly. The main reason for the change was a disagreement about the direction of the films. Norton, who likes to be very involved in the creative process, apparently made significant changes to the script for The Incredible Hulk, aiming for a darker, more thoughtful feel like Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. However, Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, was creating a shared universe of movies and needed actors who would collaborate and fit into a larger, connected storyline.
As The Avengers approached, disagreements between Marvel and Edward Norton reached a breaking point, resulting in a well-known public statement from Marvel’s Kevin Feige. Feige explained the decision to replace Norton, saying they needed an actor who would work well with the rest of the team and contribute to a collaborative environment. This implied Norton wanted more creative control than the studio was willing to give. Norton’s representatives strongly disagreed with the statement, calling it disrespectful and inappropriate, but Marvel had already made up its mind. They were looking for a Bruce Banner who would be a team player, not a leading actor who insisted on having the final say.
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk Is Great, If Underused
Mark Ruffalo faced some doubt when he first appeared as the Hulk in The Avengers, but he quickly won over audiences with his simple line, “I’m always angry.” His portrayal of the Hulk was anxious and unpredictable, which was a great match for the personalities of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. Many viewers felt he was the standout performer in the movie’s final scenes. Since then, he’s become a regular in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in eight films and the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. He’s set to return in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, proving his lasting presence in the franchise. However, despite being a key Avenger, Ruffalo often feels like a supporting character rather than a leading one.
This detour in the storyline is due to tricky ownership issues with the Hulk character. Marvel Studios can make movies featuring the Hulk, but Universal Pictures keeps the rights to distribute a solo Hulk film. This creates a problem because if Disney wanted to make a standalone Hulk movie, they’d have to share profits and creative control with a competitor. As a result, Marvel has had to develop the Hulk’s story through appearances in other heroes’ films.
The popular “Planet Hulk” story was shortened and used as part of the plot in Thor: Ragnarok. And Bruce Banner becoming the “Smart Hulk” happened between scenes during the time jump in Avengers: Endgame. Because Mark Ruffalo hasn’t had his own Hulk movie, he hasn’t been able to fully explore the character’s inner life the way Edward Norton planned. Important emotional moments, like his connection with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and learning to control his Hulk side, often feel hurried or don’t have the impact they deserve since they happen within other characters’ stories. Ruffalo has done a good job with what he’s been given, but Norton is still the only actor to star in a dedicated Hulk movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Incredible Hulk and The Avengers are currently available to stream on Disney+.
If you could create any Hulk story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what would it be? Share your ideas in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-29 21:15