Now that the fallout fromthe Edward Norton controversy is beginning to settle, with comments from all sides and the actor definitely ditched from The Avengers, talk is naturally starting to turn to a replacement Bruce Banner. The latest name touted for the role? Mark Ruffalo.
Deadline is reporting that the man recently seen in Shutter Island and The Brothers Bloom is “in late-stage talks” to snatch the role of Banner in the superhero team-up film.
He’s not the first name floated, though we’re inclined to think that Ruffalo is more likely than, say, Joaquin Phoenix, who was the subject of earlier speculation. And Ruffalo would be a surprising, but great, choice: while he’s not usually known for big genre projects, he’d bring real acting quality to the tortured scientist with real anger issues. Plus, he looks good in green.
Whoever wins the role will take their place alongside Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark, Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and, most likely, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.
Unless the company’s hand is forced, we expect Marvel to hold off unveiling its choice until Comic-Con. Given that the studio has a **Thor/**Captain America panel scheduled, look for a big announcement featuring the other Avengers and, since everyone seems to think he’s already signed and sealed despite Marvel playing coy, Joss Whedon as the director. Well, he’s going to be there anyway…