Summary
- Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that Joss Whedon and Edward Norton will never work in the MCU again.
- Feige has always been open to new talent in the franchise, but he has made it clear that these two iconic names won't return.
- Both Norton and Whedon had behind-the-scenes issues that led to their ban from the MCU, with Norton leaving due to creative differences and Whedon clashing with Feige over Agents of SHIELD.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has reportedly confirmed that two people will never get a chance to work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe again: Joss Whedon and Edward Norton.
The architect behind the MCU's overwhelming success has always been open to giving chances to new actors and directors in the iconic franchise. Whether it was Chadwick Boseman or James Gunn, Feige's decision to rope in not-so-renowned people turned out to be a masterstroke. However, the MCU chief is not keen on working with Whedon or Norton again.
In the new book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (via Dexerto), authors Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzalez, and Gavin Edwards delved into the behind-the-scenes issues that have occurred with Marvel Studios various projects, leading to two names getting banned from the MCU by Kevin Feige. "If the Inhumans could be rehabilitated, apparently everyone in MCU history was on Feige’s call list," reads the book. "Except Edward Norton, the franchise’s first Bruce Banner, and Joss Whedon, whose Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Characters remained in limbo."
Norton's departure from The Incredible Hulk was due to creative differences, allowing Mark Ruffalo to take over as Bruce Banner in subsequent projects. The switch to Ruffalo as Hulk for future MCU projects has been widely recognized. At the time, Feige said, "We have decided to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. Our decision is 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."
On the other hand, there were reportedly disagreements between Feige and Whedon regarding the Marvel Television series Agents of SHIELD. The book implies that Feige was displeased with Whedon's handling of the show, as it clashed with the events depicted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. These creative conflicts between Feige and Whedon led to tensions surrounding the show's direction.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has come a long way since Whedon and Norton departed, and Feige seemingly doesn't want to take the franchise forward with people not in his good books. The Multiverse Saga can take any route, and fans might see familiar names in future projects. However, this latest revelation might upset fans waiting to see Norton and Ruffalo sharing a frame in the MCU. Fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Feige changes his mind.
Source: MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (via Dexerto)