Reliving the Incredible Hulk
You’ve probably watched the Hulk go from smashing tanks to juggling villainous aliens. But have you ever wondered about the man behind the green giant? Well, we have all seen Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo mold their unique renditions of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s creation, the Incredible Hulk, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
When Hulk Met Edward Norton
Almost fifteen years prior, in 2008, Edward Norton took to the screen as our beloved green monster in ‘The Incredible Hulk.’ Fans continue to shower praise on Norton’s agile Hulk. He brought a flawless mix of strength and speed to the character that we hadn’t seen before. It seems like yesterday when we saw Hulk leaping off skyscrapers and swinging between them as if he was Spider-Man!
Later, it was Mark Ruffalo’s turn to keep the Hulk’s legacy alive in ‘The Avengers’ (2012) and beyond. While Ruffalo did a pretty good job of making Hulk his own, he couldn’t quite shake off the echo of Norton’s athletic Hulk.
Fans Show Love for Norton’s Hulk
An Instagram post recently stirred a wave of nostalgia among fans. The comments section was filled with fans reminiscing Norton’s 2008 Hulk. Definitely a case of the original being the best for these fans!
“2008 Hulk is my favorite,” a fan exclaimed. And he wasn’t alone. Lots of others chimed in. They showed their love for Norton’s Hulk and how they long for it. Not that they don’t like Ruffalo’s work; it’s just that Norton’s Hulk was something special.
The Swap from Norton to Ruffalo
Now, you might be wondering why did Norton leave the MCU, right? Well, it seems it was all about vision clashes. Marvel Studios wanted a performer who could smoothly fit in with the rest of the crew and share an enthusiasm for the role. There were disagreements which led to Norton’s exit. Norton’s team does have a different story to tell and a lot of it was about misunderstandings.
Ruffalo himself reminisced about his first, somewhat awkward, encounter with Norton. While it was a bit strange, the respect between the artists was evident. But despite the strangeness, it looks very unlikely that Norton will ever return as the Hulk with Ruffalo now a staple in the role.
Norton’s Hulk: Could There Be a Comeback?
Never say never, right? With Marvel now exploring the multiverse idea where loads of variations of characters can exist, Norton’s return isn’t entirely impossible. Regardless of who’s played the Hulk in the various MCU movies, Norton’s fleet-footed version still resonates with fans.
Even as the Hulk keeps evolving on-screen, Norton’s 2008 portrayal remains a cherished memory. Fans can always catch ‘The Incredible Hulk’ on Disney+ to relive those times. No matter who’s behind the green body and roaring voice, there’s one constant – The Incredible Hulk continues to be one of the most loved characters in the MCU.
So, let’s appreciate both Norton and Ruffalo for being part of this journey. And here’s hoping to more exhilarating Hulk adventures in the future!
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/marvel-fans-still-relish-edward-nortons-incredible-hulk/