Ten years ago the Marvel Cinematic Universe kicked off with Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man.
Producer Kevin Feige had in mind to introduce a shared universe of superheroes, ultimately coming together for an Avengers movie.
Next up in 2008 was Norton with The Incredible Hulk, in which he played the green beast and his alter-ego Bruce Banner.
Downey Jr’s Tony Stark even turned up in the end credits scene to link the films together.
However Norton didn’t return for Avengers Assemble in 2012, with Mark Ruffalo replacing him as the MCU Hulk.
Now ten years later and the original actor has taken a hit at his solo movie, a film Marvel boss Feige now says he regrets.
Norton took part in the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis over the weekend where he spoke out against The Incredible Hulk.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, he admitted he was difficult during production because “I wanted a better script.”
To be fair Norton has a point. While some Marvel fans defend The Incredible Hulk, it’s really quite dull and humourless; the exact opposite of what the MCU is and has become over the last 20 movies.
If anything it’s difficult for a character like the Hulk, who doesn’t talk except in later movies, to carry his own solo film – something Ang Lee’s Hulk in 2003 also struggled with.
But luckily Ruffalo has proven worthy of the role with three Avengers movies and Thor Ragnarok under his belt, before returning in Avengers 4 next year.
But Norton’s bombshell statement wasn’t the only one, with Willis speaking out on Die Hard.
Contrary to fan opinion, Willis claimed that Die Hard isn’t a festive film.
He said: “Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.”
Afterward the actor was asked how fans would react to this, Willis replied: “We’ll see.”