Not Seeing Green Anymore

Not that anyone was betting on it, but it’s official: Ed Norton will not be reprising his role as Bruce Banner/Marvel’s Hulk in Joss Whedon’s Avengers movie.

The role will be recast (yet again; Norton took over for Eric Bana, who starred in Ang Lee’s moody take on the character a few years ago), and, evidently, the move is surrounded by drama.

Marvel’s president of Production has said the decision was “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.”

Ooof – what…a dig.

Norton’s camp counters that such comments are “unprofessional, disingenuous, and clearly defamatory,” and that, too boot, the charitable actor and Whedon recently had a “very good meeting,” but that the deal fell apart after weeks of “civil, uncontentious discussions.”

The cast of 2012’s The Avengers includes Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.

They’ll be joined by Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and, possibly, Don Cheadle as War Machine.

Photo: Examiner.com (The Hulk).