The Hulk character in the The Avengers will not be reprised by actor Edward Norton.

According to who you talk to (well, blog from), negotiations were going swimmingly and near agreement with Norton and Marvel Studios on the upcoming sequel.  Then Marvel’s President of Production Kevin Feige dropped a Daisy Cutter.

His press release said that Norton was out, and that the “…decision is definitely 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.”

What happened between the happy parley and the studio statement is awash in intrigue.  Norton’s agent, however is not amused with Feige’s announcement and fired off a thoughtful broadside of high crimes at Marvel.

During the making of the The Incredible Hulk in 2008 there were leaks regarding Norton’s difficult behavior.  Later the Hulk star complained of the hours re-writing scriptwriter Zak Penn’s scenario.

Norton himself posted his own thoughts that didn’t mention the studio but only his sadness of not fulfilling the character (again) that he had loved since childhood.  His classy letter thanked fans and said that he would “be thrilled to see (Hulk) live on through other actors.”

After Norton’s rude dumping, Joaquin Phoenix may or may not have been approached for Hulk in The Avengers.  But like much with this yarn it remains an enigma wrapped in a puzzle inside a mystery.