The Hulk has been smashing his way through the Marvel Cinematic Universe almost since its inception. Released in 2008 to underwhelming box office and okay reviews, The Incredible Hulk re-introduced the character after the equally polarizing Hulk took a swing at the big green guy in 2003.

The Incredible Hulk stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, on the run from General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) after the gamma experiment that made the Hulk nearly kills the general’s daughter and Banner’s girlfriend, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Norton described the movie, which he extensively rewrote, as a fugitive story, continuing the drifter Banner narrative portrayed by Bill Bixby in the 1970s series The Incredible Hulk.

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Norton clashed with Marvel over the resulting cut of the film, and the role was recast with Mark Ruffalo going forward. Ruffalo’s first appearance as the Hulk was in the Avengers in 2012, offering a different take on Banner from Norton’s performance. Where Norton’s Banner was a more dour, everyman portrayal, Ruffalo opted for the meek, careful, slightly neurotic nerd. Both portrayals work in their respective settings.

The Incredible Hulk sees Banner depressed and desperate for a cure for his condition, while Ruffalo has accepted and learned to control the Hulk but is forever fretting. He’s nervously looking around every corner for a threat that would unleash his alter ego. It’s been Ruffalo’s role for so long that Norton is less than a dot in the Marvel rearview. With the evolution of the Hulk and his most recent appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, is there anywhere Norton’s take could have fit the tone and narrative in place of Ruffalo?

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Is a Lighthearted Look at Hulk

     Marvel Studios

We hadn’t seen Hulk since Avengers: Endgame, but he’s back on the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Bruce Banner is his same goofy self from the fourth Avengers installment, preaching the benefits of spandex and the joys of virtually unlimited alcohol consumption. While showing his cousin, Jennifer Walters, “how to Hulk,” there’s even a light-hearted approach to the violent side of being big and green, as the two engage in a friendly boulder throwing and seismic clapping competition.

The serious Norton would make an interesting foil to Jennifer Walters but wouldn’t fit the show’s tone, as it’s billed as an action comedy. The series has an almost John Hughes-like feel that is an excellent vehicle for the current Ruffalo Hulk. You could imagine Hulk and She-Hulk brooding through Saturday school or joyriding a prized Ferrari. In the series, Hulk isn’t the star, but he plays a huge part in the journey of ­She-Hulk so far.

Bruce Banner Gets Comfortable in His Green Skin in the Avengers Series

We first met Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner and iteration of the Hulk in the Avengers. As stated, his Banner is an anxious but collected and calm guy. He mostly has the Hulk under control and can even decide at will when to let him out of his cage. He’s largely moved on from his mission to rid himself of the Hulk and instead has taken up a role of helping the ill in India. Dropped back into the “freak show,” as he calls it, Banner’s character stands out among his fellow Avengers.

From the serious and stalwart Steve Rogers to the playful and aloof Tony Stark, Ruffalo’s twitchy and cautious Banner fits into the mix perfectly. He stands out as a great contrast to everyone else in the cast, and the Hulk scenes are among the best in the first movie. Because of these factors, Norton’s all too serious Banner wouldn’t have been a great fit for the Joss Whedon-penned and directed film.

Banner is slightly more comfortable in his skin when Avengers: Age of Ultron rolls around. He’s settled into his place at Stark Tower, assisting Tony in his scientific endeavors with the occasional avenging. The Norton Banner could have gotten along reasonably well in this setting, as Banner’s neurosis has diminished significantly. He’s more of an average guy in the second Avengers installment. Ruffalo still serves the role well, but Norton’s take could have fit.

Moving on to Avengers: Infinity War, Banner is more of a side character, what with the massive cast. After getting throttled by Thanos, the Hulk is reluctant to come out for the rest of the movie. Banner even pleads with his “roommate” to make an appearance to no avail. We couldn’t see Norton’s Banner in this situation. He hates the Hulk, whereas Ruffalo knows he is needed now to help defend against the impending invasion by Thanos and the Outrider army.

Wrapping up the Infinity Saga, we have Smart Hulk, with Ruffalo portraying the motion capture in Avengers: Endgame. This Hulk has truly found his place and is obviously at peace with his green side as he opts to take on the form full-time. He’s laid back and loose and cracking jokes, a place we’d never be able to see the Norton Hulk find.

Thor: Ragnarok Was Written for a Sillier Hulk

We’ve entered Buddy Comedy Hulk territory now with Thor: Ragnarok. The new takes on both the God of Thunder and the Hulk from writer-director Taika Waititi brought out everyone’s comedic and lighter side. With a movie so full of quips, we just can’t see Edward Norton fitting in, whereas Mark Ruffalo excelled at the silly stuff. Ragnarok basically took all the character development of both Thor and Hulk that we had seen and turned them on their respective blonde and green heads.

The movie seemed to be trying to shoehorn the characters into a Guardians of the Galaxy-like format, but fans loved the new direction of both Thor and the Hulk and supporting characters. That all said, we can’t see Edward Norton being pure silly. He’s done his share of comedy and excelled at it. The closest comp to Ragnarok under Norton’s belt is Keeping the Faith, but he’s more suited for the darker gallows humor side (Fight Club, Death to Smoochy).

None of this is to say Norton couldn’t handle these different Hulks, as he’s a genuinely excellent, generational actor. But we’re just so used to seeing Norton stone-faced and serious that it wouldn’t feel right to see him splitting shirts and pants in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Hulk truly belongs to Mark Ruffalo.