Spoilers for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 2 below!
Actor Mark Ruffalo, recently addressed She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's Edward Norton Hulk recasting reference. The MCU's first appearance of Bruce Banner/Hulk occurred in 2008's The Incredible Hulk with the titular hero portrayed by Fight Club and Motherless Brooklyn star Edward Norton. However, due to creative and financial differences, Norton stepped away from the role shortly thereafter, allowing Ruffalo to join the franchise for The Avengers in 2012. Since then, Ruffalo has continued to portray the superhero in multiple films as well as Marvel Studio's latest Phase Four entry, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
During episode 2, Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) called her cousin, Banner, to inform him that she was recently hired to defend former The Incredible Hulk (2008) villain, Emil Blonsky/Abomination (Tim Roth) for his possible parole. Banner reveals that he is not upset at all and admits that Blonsky actually sent him letters from prison to make amends. He then explained, "That fight was so many years ago, I'm a completely different person. Literally." To which Walters turned to the camera, breaking the fourth wall, and responded with a simple, "Ha!" In a not so subtle way, Banner's line referenced the fact that the character looked completely different from his current form due to the recast.
Related: She-Hulk Episode 2 MCU Easter Eggs & References
While talking with EW, Ruffalo addressed She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 2's reference to Banner's MCU casting change. The actor revealed that he found it "really funny" and claimed that he actually joked with Norton about the whole situation. Ruffalo humorously likened the character to Hamlet, saying that the Hulk's appearance will continuously change over the years. Read what Ruffalo had to say below.
"I think it's really funny. It's just the reality that we all are often dancing around, but it's true. I actually joked with [Edward Norton] about this. I was like, 'It's like our generation's Hamlet. Everyone's going to get a shot at it.' And there'll probably be another couple before it's all over. People will be like, 'Remember when the Hulk used to look like Mark Ruffalo? Now it looks like Timothée Chalamet.'"
"The cool thing about this world is that it could just be anything. Five years from now it could totally morph into anything, whatever's pertinent at the time. I almost see him going back to 'Berserker Hulk' or 'World War Hulk'. It could go anywhere. That's the exciting part - I've played five different versions from beginning to now, and that's kept it interesting for me and I hope interesting for other people."
Ruffalo appears to see the MCU as an evolving franchise that can change its appearance as a result of many factors. Whether it be for internal or external reasons, the actor understands that the Hulk can eventually be played by a number of actors. Norton and Ruffalo's lauded performances as the character have created a legacy that can be tapped into by potential future actors. Due to the multiple variations of the Hulk established by the comics, such as Maestro, Doc Green, and World Breaker Hulk from World War Hulk, there is a chance that another actor will have the opportunity to take up the mantle carved by both Ruffalo and Norton.
Although the Ruffalo's replacement of Norton as the Hulk stands out as one of the biggest changes in the MCU, the long-running superhero franchise is no stranger to such recasts. Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes/War Machine was famously recast from Empire's Terrence Howard to Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2, Thanos and Red Skull were both recast from their initial appearances, and Howard Stark had three separate actors portray the character. Any multimedia franchise runs the risk of characters being recast, especially early on as the project shapes itself going forward. With the Hulk returning in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, still playing a pivotal role within the MCU, there is a slim chance that Ruffalo will be recast anytime soon.
Source: EW