Ruffalo replaces Norton as Marvel's new Hulk

After some controversy over dismissing Edward Norton as The Hulk for the role in the upcoming Marvel film
The Avengers, director Joss Whedon (
Buffy the Vampire Slayer) announced the new Hulk, aka Dr. Bruce Banner, at the Comic-Con panel held this past weekend in San Diego, with the introduction of Mark Ruffalo (
Shutter Island,
The Kids Are Alright,
Where the Wild Things Are).

The all-star cast of the upcoming The Avengers, "Earth's Mightiest Heroes," includes the Marvel pantheon of Captain America played by Chris Evans, Thor by Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow.

Robert Downey Jr. got the crowd cheering at the event, asking the crowd to warmly welcome the new member of the superhero team.

Norton who played the 2008 film version of The Incredible Hulk was not asked to reprise the role because according to a statement by Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios' president of production, they were seeking "an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members."

There was a public recrimination of the decision by Norton's agent who believed the negotiations were ongoing and called it "purposefully misleading" and "offensive."

A subsequent statement was then made on Facebook by Norton two weeks ago, thanking fans for the support, Marvel for the opportunity, and expressing his disappointment not to continue the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk: "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?"

When asked by a fan "Where is Edward Norton?" at the Comic-Con panel, Feige quoted Norton's statement.

Also joining The Avengers cast is Jeremy Renner ( The Hurt Locker) as Hawkeye, the bow-and-arrow marksman.

RC