[] Edward Norton - Norton is obviously a very talented actor who has apparently been interested in portraying the Hulk for half a decade now. He's certainly help bring in viewers and critics alike, but he does have a reputation for being difficult to work with, particularly when it comes to demanding rewrites and edits that make the movie more to his liking. Is he worth the risk?
Norton did an admirable job in the role given what he had to work with, so I don't think his acting chops are in question here. However, the fact that he was recast does have to make us consider why he was recast in the first place. According Marvel's representatives, after it was announced that he wouldn't reprise the role in the Avengers, they said it was because he was difficult to work with, demanding a rewrite to the script of the movie. I don't think we will have that happen here, especially as we have a solid script, but if there's a chance for it to happen, I would rather we not try to jeopardize the entire project, as our casting call results are mostly because of the script here. As for what Norton's agents said in the aftermath, they said that he was willing and eager to reprise the role, and that it was a monetary decision by Marvel to cut him from the part, which they of course denied. As for Norton himself, he said that he chose not to do it, though this may simply be something he now thinks of in hindsight, as he didn't want to be confined to simply playing a single character. All things considered, there's too many factors at play here for him to be considered a safe bet, especially if we are hoping to have a sequel in the future.
[] Mark Ruffalo - Another actor you have your eyes on is Ruffalo, whose career has been steadily rising the last few years. He's not quite as talented as Norton, but he'd certainly be easier to work with and as a native Wisconsinite might be a good fit for this particular movie. If you want him though you'll have to move fast as he might be closing the deal with some smaller projects.
Ruffalo is a good pick. Not someone too expensive for us to get, and someone who we know can embody the character of Bruce Banner well on screen, especially his onscreen chemistry with the rest of the Avengers. Contrasting him with Norton, while he may not have as wide of an acting range as him, he is also more easy to work with, and as Marvel has shown, it's the unified vision and adherence to the plan that has allowed it to set itself apart form the competition. Then again, for a production like this, which is seen as a little more auteur compared to the canon Hulk movie, maybe we want to hit it out of the park?
[] Joaquin Phoenix - There was quite a bit of interest in Phoenix for the part but little hope of actually getting him. He has a reputation of only taking on projects he's interested in and passionate about, regardless of the money. But after reading the script and talking with Leterrier he's definitely interested. He's an excellent actor who you think could really tap into that inner anger.
Joaquin Phoenix's talent is well known. Then again, he is also known as someone who is rather hard to get, and as an actor he is definitely more of the artist than someone in it for the money. However, all of that aside, the fact that we have his interest here is something that should definitely be considered. With his bevy of Academy Award Nominations, among his other awards and accolades, Phoenix's talent needs no introduction.
From what we've learned about this script and the story behind this version of the Hulk, there will be a lot more nuance here than in the original, and that is something I think we will want to indulge in. Right now, our reputation as a studio is being established, and for better or for worse, Marvel initially and still is to some degree pegged as a studio system which relies on being formulaic to achieve its result, and is called rather bland by some as a result. If we try to cast Phoenix in this role, in this movie, I think we have a good shot of countering that argument before it begins. Furthermore the fact that Phoenix is somewhat more flexible in terms of money makes him someone who can potentially serve as both a name brand to draw in the crowds, but also someone who won't get Perlmutter to come crashing down upon us.
Now, as for the big elephant in the room, sequels. Yes, from what we know of Phoenix he is generally not one to indulge upon franchises or sequels, as he is more of an auteur, someone who follows his passions. And while it may hurt to have to recast him later on, I don't think it will be that bad for us as we will likely have actors like Ruffalo to call upon, who we know can play the part well. However, if we do interest him enough to continue in the idea that is the MCU, then all the better. I'm just thinking that Phoenix here is a result of our stellar casting roll, and I would rather we not waste it.
[] Andrew Garfield - A rising star from the UK, Garfield is apparently going to be named one of Variety's "10 Actors to Watch" according to one of your connections. From what you've seen of his work he is a hardworking talented kid, someone who deserves better than the projects he might be saddled with later on.
The most talented actor out of the bunch. He can handle more dramatic moments, but also has great comedic timing for humorous moments. I think that as this production is something that will be a little more nuanced than the usual superhero fare, he can definitely excel here and kickstart his career under us.
[] Kenneth Branagh - Definitely a talented and qualified actor with a long filmography (even if audiences most likely know him as Gilderoy Lockhart from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Branagh could bring an enthusiastic energy to the party that could make Crawford a more memorable villain than he otherwise might be.
Branagah is a solid actor, I know him more for his Shakespearean roles than Harry Potter but they tell enough about his acting chops. While the villain role here isn't that important to the movie, at the same time, I think it would be good if we could make sure the villain is at least memorable rather than forgettable. Also, this could serve as a chance for us to talk to him about Thor.
[] Tony Shalhoub - Another talented guy you've had your eye on is Shalhoub, who just has a certain mad scientist vibe to him. You also know he doesn't take himself too seriously given his appearance in Spy Kids which could help create a somewhat eccentric and memorable villain in this second move of the MCU.
Again, someone who is talented and makes a memorable villain. The eccentricity may make the movie more eccentric and play well with the other actors.
[] Nathan Fillion - If you want to bring in the fanboys while still finding a genuinely talented actor there's no one better than Firefly's Captain Malcolm Reynolds. Fillion actually is Canadian, and apart from a small project he's working on with Whedon (based on the WGA strike, which you've luckily managed to distance yourself from) he's not too busy.
It would be a steal for us if we could get Fillion in this. He obviously has talent, but also, his connection to Whedon is something we will need if we wish to get the Avengers to be what it was.
[] Sarah Polley - A native Canadian actress, Polley is one of the team's top picks for Marie Cartier. Despite her youth she's been appearing in pictures since the mid 1980s, and while she hasn't appeared in any comic movies the script and general appeal here seems to have won her over enough to audition for a part.
Considering that Marvel's casting team is usually spot on about their choices for most roles, I will tend to defer to them here. The fact that it's been hinted that she was won over by the script, and is only here because of it is enough for me to believe that we should trust in our team to see this through.
[] Charisma Carpenter - Another Whedon protege, well known for playing Cordelia Chase in Buffy and Angel, Carpenter has more experience in television than movies but is nonetheless being considered by the team. Casting her could definitely help her career if all goes well and maybe build some ties to Whedon.
The main reason to choose this option I think is the Whedon ties. Then again, as this role isn't too major, perhaps that is all we need.
[] James McAvoy - A young actor, you've heard some very good things about McAvoy (and his performance in Atonement which will be coming out this year) from Hollywood insiders. He's not at all opposed to appearing within a comic book movie and seems like he could pull off both sides of the Leader - pre and post-transformation.
We know he can handle roles such as this well. His later BAFTA and Golden Globe tell enough about his acting talent. If we surround him with a talented cast, like it looks like we are about to do, I have no doubt we can utilize him well enough for a sequel to get off the ground.
[] Liv Tyler - Tyler is certainly a well known face given her portrayal of Arwen in the Lord of the Rings movies and her appreciation for the old television show has left her interested in the role of Betty Ross even if her appearance is mostly setup for a sequel where the love story could be explored more properly.
She did well in the original. Plus, the fact that she is interested in the character doesn't hurt at all either. With a better script this time, perhaps we can utilize her better for the sequel, even though we know here that she is just going to be the love interest.
[] Michelle Monaghan - Another talented actress who has been rising in popularity since the dawn of the century, Monaghan has been willing to get involved in comic book movies in the past (though her scenes in Constantine were unfortunately cut) and is interested in a multi-picture deal to portray Betty Ross.
We know she's talented, and the fact that she's interested in a multi-picture deal makes it so that we can be much more flexible in regards to our future sequel plans.
[X] Joaquin Phoenix - There was quite a bit of interest in Phoenix for the part but little hope of actually getting him. He has a reputation of only taking on projects he's interested in and passionate about, regardless of the money. But after reading the script and talking with Leterrier he's definitely interested. He's an excellent actor who you think could really tap into that inner anger.
[X] Andrew Garfield - A rising star from the UK, Garfield is apparently going to be named one of
Variety's "10 Actors to Watch" according to one of your connections. From what you've seen of his work he is a hardworking talented kid, someone who deserves better than the projects he might be saddled with later on.
[X] Kenneth Branagh - Definitely a talented and qualified actor with a long filmography (even if audiences most likely know him as Gilderoy Lockhart from
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Branagh could bring an enthusiastic energy to the party that could make Crawford a more memorable villain than he otherwise might be.
[X] Nathan Fillion - If you want to bring in the fanboys while still finding a genuinely talented actor there's no one better than
Firefly's Captain Malcolm Reynolds. Fillion actually is Canadian, and apart from a small project he's working on with Whedon (based on the WGA strike, which you've luckily managed to distance yourself from) he's not too busy.
[X] Sarah Polley - A native Canadian actress, Polley is one of the team's top picks for Marie Cartier. Despite her youth she's been appearing in pictures since the mid 1980s, and while she hasn't appeared in any comic movies the script and general appeal here seems to have won her over enough to audition for a part.
[X] James McAvoy - A young actor, you've heard some very good things about McAvoy (and his performance in
Atonement which will be coming out this year) from Hollywood insiders. He's not at all opposed to appearing within a comic book movie and seems like he could pull off both sides of the Leader - pre and post-transformation.
[X] Michelle Monaghan - Another talented actress who has been rising in popularity since the dawn of the century, Monaghan has been willing to get involved in comic book movies in the past (though her scenes in
Constantine were unfortunately cut) and is interested in a multi-picture deal to portray Betty Ross.