With yesterday’s surprise announcement that Edward Norton is out as Bruce Banner in the upcoming Avengers flick, what better time to take a look at some actors for the role? So, let’s launch a column that’s been on the backburner since the inception of the site but never released until now (no, seriously): Casting Call! Wherein I recast the key roles from The Incredible Hulk.
Alexis Denisof
Alexis Denisof — Bruce Banner
Fans of Angel know why I’ve put him here. Denisof’s Wesley was easily the best part of the series, with a character arc that dwarfed even the show’s lead. Despite his early years as a stiff upper lip British type, he slowly evolved into a quiet, withdrawn individual who was quick to figure out a solution to any problem, and not afraid to utilize a hand axe if necessary. For his quiet demeanor and nack for playing tortured genius, Denisof has been a pick of mine to play Bruce Banner for years.
Anna Friel
Anna Friel — Betty Ross
I’ll admit, I’ve not seen her in much, but from what I’ve gathered she could handle the Betty role. Mainly casting this because I think she’d have good chemistry with Denisof’s Banner, which is a must. Good second choice? Amy Acker, Denisof’s former Angel cast-mate.
Stephen Lang
Stephen Lang – General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross
I hated Avatar. I still do. But you can’t deny that Stephen Lang did the job perfectly as the hard-nosed, take no shit, kill ‘em all military leader Col. Miles Quaddritch. Lang’s got a diverse history as an actor, and spent more than his fair share of those roles playing similar military types. When casting Ross, you need someone who can play the relentless monster that will hunt Banner down no matter what it takes; Lang’s already shown he’s got that in spades.
Sharlto Copey
Sharlto Copey – Jack McGee
The 70′s Hulk series is still definitive in the eyes of many, so the inclusion of a Jack McGee character pursuing the Hulk (likely to the chagrin of Gen. Ross) would add another layer to the film. Copey was stellar in The A Team, and seems to excel in the type of crazed, weaselly characters McGee would entail.
Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno — Security Guard
Hey, dude’s gotta pay the bills.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments who you’d cast in your own INCREDIBLE HULK!
