Editing Edward Norton (section)

===2000–2008: Mainstream success and directorial debut===
In 2000, Norton made his directorial debut with the romantic comedy ''[[Keeping the Faith]]'', starring as a priest named Brian Finn.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229092310/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20001111a1.html|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20001111a1.html|title=Norton has faith in directorial skills|first=Kaori|last=Shoji|work=[[The Japan Times]]|date=November 11, 2000|archive-date=December 29, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film received mixed critical reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/keeping-the-faith|title=Keeping the Faith Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026035218/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/keeping-the-faith|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref> ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' praised his acting and labeled the film "a smart directorial debut".<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020224110444/http://dfw.citysearch.com/E/M/DALTX/0000/17/66/cs1.html|url=http://dfw.citysearch.com/E/M/DALTX/0000/17/66/cs1.html|title=GuideLive: Keeping the Faith|work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|first=Jay|last=Webb|archive-date=February 24, 2002|date=April 14, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly'' remarked that Norton's emergence as a director was decent, but criticized the plot because it "proposes heavy theological aims, then disavows any such thing".<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230024158/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275960,00.html|url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,275960,00.html|title=Keeping the Faith (2000)|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=April 21, 2000|first=Lisa|last=Schwarzbaum|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 30, 2008}}</ref> In 2001's [[heist film]] ''[[The Score (2001 film)|The Score]]'', Norton plays Jack Teller, an ambitious young thief caught in an unlikely alliance with career criminal Nick Wells ([[Robert De Niro]]) arranged by his [[fence (criminal)|fence]], Max ([[Marlon Brando]]). ''The Score'' and Norton's performance was well received.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1108799_score|title=The Score (2001)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=July 13, 2001|access-date=March 9, 2019|quote=Though the movie treads familiar ground in the heist/caper genre, Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, and Marlon Brando make the movie worth watching.|archive-date=January 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110151106/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1108799_score|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' stated that despite starring with screen legends De Niro and Brando, Norton's acting "outdoes even that of Brando".<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031116090303/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2001%2F07%2F13%2FDD168924.DTL|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/07/13/DD168924.DTL|title=Three-way tie / Terrific stars, solid plot keep 'The Score' entertaining|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|first=Bob|last=Graham|date=July 13, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2003|access-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' also lauded him as an "enormously gifted young actor" who pulled off the character successfully.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620185217/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie000057313jul13,0,5262373.story|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie000057313jul13,0,5262373.story|title='The Score'&nbsp;– Movie Review|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 13, 2001|first=Kenneth|last=Turan|authorlink=Kenneth Turan|archive-date=June 20, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Nelson Rockefeller at Critical Choices meeting 1133 17 February 28 1975-1-.JPG|thumb|left|Norton portrayed [[Nelson Rockefeller]] (pictured) in the 2002 biopic ''[[Frida (2002 film)|Frida]]'', for which his version of the screenplay received positive reviews.]]
Norton appeared in four films released in 2002. He played kids show host Sheldon Mopes, who quickly rises to fame for his character "Smoochy the Rhino", in the black comedy ''[[Death to Smoochy]]''. It received negative critical feedback for its plot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/death_to_smoochy|title=Death to Smoochy (2002)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=March 29, 2002|quote=The talent involved can't save a script that has nowhere to go with its promising premise.|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=November 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105145243/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/death_to_smoochy|url-status=live}}</ref> He also portrayed [[Nelson Rockefeller]] in the biopic film ''[[Frida (2002 film)|Frida]]'', which depicts the life of Mexican artist [[Frida Kahlo]] ([[Salma Hayek]]). Norton rewrote the script several times without credit, focusing on the historical context and adding some humor while retaining Kahlo's real-life personality.<ref name="Guardian_Frida1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/aug/30/artsfeatures|title=That Frida feeling|first=Jo|last=Tuckman|work=The Guardian|date=August 30, 2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509202138/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2001/aug/30/artsfeatures|archive-date=May 9, 2014|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref> The final screenplay, with Norton's contribution, received positive reviews from critics as well as admiration from the film's co-stars including Hayek and [[Alfred Molina]], who portrayed Kahlo's husband and fellow artist [[Diego Rivera]].<ref name="Guardian_Frida1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/frida|title=Frida (2002)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=October 25, 2002|quote=Frida is a passionate, visually striking biopic about the larger-than-life artist.|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=March 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317055022/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/frida|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes_Hayek">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/13/opinion/contributors/salma-hayek-harvey-weinstein.html |title=Harvey Weinstein Is My Monster Too |date=December 13, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]]| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606110216/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/13/opinion/contributors/salma-hayek-harvey-weinstein.html| archive-date=June 6, 2018| url-status=live| access-date=December 14, 2017|first=Salma|last=Hayek|authorlink=Salma Hayek}}</ref> In the horror film ''[[Red Dragon (2002 film)|Red Dragon]]'', Norton starred as retired FBI profiler [[Will Graham (character)|Will Graham]], who consults with [[Human cannibalism|cannibalistic]] [[serial killer]] [[Hannibal Lecter]] ([[Anthony Hopkins]]) to catch [[Francis Dolarhyde]] ([[Ralph Fiennes]]), a serial killer who murders entire families. During production, Norton and director [[Brett Ratner]] argued frequently over the script. "He likes to challenge the director. It's all about intellectual debate," Ratner told ''[[The Times]]'' in 2003. "... Edward's instinct is going to be, 'I have to take over this film.' He's going to try to rescue the film. That's both a blessing and a curse."<ref name="LATimesControversy1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-13-et-norton13-story.html|title=A history of flexing his muscles|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Chris|last=Lee|date=June 13, 2008|url-status=live|access-date=December 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804134346/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/13/entertainment/et-norton13|archive-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref> Despite mixed reviews, ''Red Dragon'' was Norton's most profitable venture in 2002, grossing over $200 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/red-dragon|title=Red Dragons Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129002904/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/red-dragon|archive-date=January 29, 2011}}</ref><ref name="EdMojo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=edwardnorton.htm|title=Edward Norton Movie Box Office|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref> Norton also co-produced and starred in ''[[25th Hour]]'', a film about a drug dealer in post-[[9/11 terrorist attacks|9/11]] New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Jeff |last=Stark |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/movies/review/2002/12/20/25th_hour/index.html |title=25th Hour |date=December 20, 2002 |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616153542/http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/movies/review/2002/12/20/25th_hour/index.html |archive-date=June 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/25th-hour/details|title=25th Hour Details and Credits|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113233539/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/25th-hour/details|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Paramount Pictures]] forced Norton to star in the heist film ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]'' (2003), threatening to sue him for violating a three-film contract he had signed; the studio had previously distributed 1996's ''Primal Fear'' and 2001's ''The Score''.{{Sfn|Waxman|2005|pages=175–184}} Norton, accordingly, refused to promote the film's release.<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{Cite news|last=Hubert|first=Andrea|title=The incredible sulk|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jun/14/film.features|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 14, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103165840/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jun/14/film.features|archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref> His performance was well received by critics, with ''The New Yorker'' calling him "intelligent and incisive ... one of those rare actors who hold the audience's attention with everything they say".<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408010717/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/06/16/030616crci_cinema|url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/06/16/030616crci_cinema|title=Traffic Jams|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|first=David|last=Denby|authorlink=David Denby|date=June 16, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' praised his character as "perversely magnetic" despite giving the film a negative review.<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428101227/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-italian-job-20030530|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-italian-job-20030530|title=The Italian Job|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Peter|last=Travers|authorlink=Peter Travers|date=May 30, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 28, 2014}}</ref> During this time, Norton co-founded a production company, Class 5 Films, with Yale classmate [[Stuart Blumberg]] and film producer Bill Migliore.<ref name="Biography.com"/> Norton was cast as [[Baldwin IV]], the [[leprosy|leper]] king of [[Jerusalem]], in [[Ridley Scott]]'s 2005 historical film ''[[Kingdom of Heaven (film)|Kingdom of Heaven]]''.<ref name="moore">{{Cite web|first=Jack |last=Moore |title=Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut DVD Review |url=http://www.themovieinsider.com/reviews/rid/615/Kingdom_of_Heaven |website=[[Movie Insider]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622181549/http://www.themovieinsider.com/reviews/rid/615/Kingdom_of_Heaven |archive-date=June 22, 2008}}</ref> Reviewers criticized the film's lack of depth, while praising the cinematography.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kingdom_of_heaven|title=Kingdom of Heaven (2005)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=May 6, 2005 |quote=Although it's an objective and handsomely presented take on the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven lacks depth.|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref> Jack Moore described Norton's performance in ''Kingdom of Heaven'' as "phenomenal", and "so far removed from anything that he has ever done that we see the true complexities of his talent".<ref name="moore" /> It grossed over $211 million worldwide.<ref name="EdMojo"/> Norton's next lead role was in the [[western film|neo-western]] film ''[[Down in the Valley (film)|Down in the Valley]]'' (2005), playing a delusional man who claims to be a cowboy. While the film was criticized for its narrative, Norton was praised for his performance.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106183701/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F05%2F19%2FDDGVQITKKO1.DTL|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/19/DDGVQITKKO1.DTL|title=Opening today|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|url-status=dead|date=May 19, 2006|first1=Mick|last1=LaSalle|authorlink1=Mick LaSalle|first2=G. Allen|last2=Johnson|archive-date=January 6, 2007|access-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614035243/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2006/05/12/down_in_the_valley_is_lovesick_about_the_west/|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2006/05/12/down_in_the_valley_is_lovesick_about_the_west/|title='Down in the Valley' is lovesick about the West|first=Ty|last=Burr|authorlink=Ty Burr|date=May 12, 2006|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 14, 2006}}</ref>

Norton had two major film roles in 2006, starring as Eisenheim the magician in ''[[The Illusionist (2006 film)|The Illusionist]]'' and [[bacteriology|bacteriologist]] Walter Fane in ''[[The Painted Veil (2006 film)|The Painted Veil]]''. Set in 19th-century [[Austria-Hungary]], ''The Illusionist'' was loosely based on novelist [[Steven Millhauser]]'s short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist" and received generally positive critical reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/illusionist|title=The Illusionist (2006)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=September 2006|quote=The Illusionist is an engrossing, well-crafted story of mystery, magic and intrigue that is certain to enchant, if not hypnotize, audiences.|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213063325/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/illusionist/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' dubbed the film "rich and elegant" and wrote of Norton's character: "he doesn't just seduce the on-screen audience but the audience watching in the movie theater".<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011060647/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F08%2F18%2FDDG3EKKDCI1.DTL&type=movies|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/18/DDG3EKKDCI1.DTL&type=movies|title=Tricky, very tricky&nbsp;– and a lot of fun, too|first=Mick|last=LaSalle|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=August 18, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref> The ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' similarly lauded the film for its vibrant plot and described Norton's performance as "mysterious and understated".<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713124743/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/reviews/4086596.html|url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/reviews/4086596.html|title=It's easy to revel in this film's true magic|first=Bruce|last=Westbrook|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=August 18, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2010}}</ref> Norton co-produced ''The Painted Veil'', in which he starred with [[Naomi Watts]], who portrayed his character's unfaithful wife. Like his previous venture, ''The Painted Veil'' garnered positive feedback from reviewers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/painted_veil|title=The Painted Veil (2006)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=December 20, 2006|quote=Visually, The Painted Veil has all the trappings of a stuffy period drama, but Norton's and Watts's deft portrayals of imperfect, complicated characters give the film a modern-day spark.|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320043907/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/painted_veil/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' applauded the film as "faultless" and "powerful" as well as Norton's "genuinely affecting" performance.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503174611/http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,2066143,00.html|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,2066143,00.html|title=The Painted Veil|date=April 27, 2007|first=Andrew|last=Pulver|work=[[The Guardian]]|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 3, 2007}}</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly'' appreciated that Norton's production effort did not affect his acting.<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617014451/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007970,00.html|url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007970,00.html|title=Movie Review: The Painted Veil|date=January 10, 2007|first=Lisa|last=Schwarzbaum|authorlink=Lisa Schwarzbaum|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2007}}</ref>

Norton appeared in two documentaries in 2007: ''Brando'', which chronicles the life and career of screen legend Marlon Brando, with whom Norton co-starred in 2001's ''The Score'',{{cn|date=March 2024}} and ''[[Man from Plains]]'', which depicts the post-presidency endeavors of former U.S. president [[Jimmy Carter]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/movies/reviews/plains-spoken/|title=Plains spoken|work=[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]|first=Barrett|last=Hopper|date=November 8, 2007|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709095734/https://nowtoronto.com/movies/reviews/plains-spoken/|url-status=live}}</ref> He starred in the crime drama ''[[Pride and Glory (film)|Pride and Glory]]'' (2008) as Ray Tierney, an honest detective assigned to investigate the precinct run by his older brother. Reviewers criticized the film for its [[cliche]]d plot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pride_and_glory|title=Pride and Glory (2008)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=October 24, 2008|quote=Formulaic in its plotting and cliched in its dialogue, Pride and Glory does little to distinguish itself from other police procedurals.|access-date=March 9, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128030804/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pride_and_glory/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2006–2008: ''The Incredible Hulk'' ====
[[File:Edward Norton 2009 Film Festival.jpg|thumb|upright|Norton at the [[2009 Toronto International Film Festival]]|alt=A side view of Norton in suits giving autographs]]
His next lead film role was [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]'s [[Bruce Banner (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Bruce Banner]], and the accompanying alter ego [[Hulk]] in the big-budget superhero film ''[[The Incredible Hulk (film)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', released in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Josh |last=Friedman |title=New 'Incredible Hulk' may be bigger than old one |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-13-fi-projector13-story.html |date=June 13, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715012851/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/13/business/fi-projector13| archive-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> Norton initially turned down the part as he felt the 2003 version ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]'' "strayed far afield from a story that was familiar to people, ... which is a fugitive story".<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628130740/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/edward-norton-talks-incredible-hulk|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/edward-norton-talks-incredible-hulk|title=Norton talks 'Incredible Hulk'|work=[[Total Film]]|date=March 7, 2008|url-status=live|archive-date= June 28, 2013}}</ref> He joined the project during pre-production in 2006 and constantly provided rewrites of the script.<ref name="RothHulk03">{{Cite news| date=March 27, 2008 |first=Jake |last=Rossen |title=Q&A: Tim Roth |work=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/032708rothqanda.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401124143/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/032708rothqanda.html |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Director [[Louis Leterrier]] welcomed his contributions, saying that, "Edward's script has given Bruce's story real gravitas".<ref>{{Cite news|title=News Etc|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|issue=April 2008|pages=15–16}}</ref> However, screenwriter [[Zak Penn]] was displeased with Norton's changes.<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221172700/http://popwatch.ew.com/2008/07/26/comic-con-adapt/|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2008/07/26/comic-con-adapt/|last=Juarez|first=Vanessa|date=July 26, 2008|title=Comic-Con: 'Incredible Hulk' screenwriter Zak Penn discusses strife with Edward Norton|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=February 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Writers Guild of America]] credited Penn as the sole writer, arguing that Norton had not contributed significantly to the screenplay.<ref name="EW2008">{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415044538/http://www.mania.com/zak-penn-to-receive-sole-writing-credit-for-incredible-hulk_article_109697.html|url=http://www.mania.com/zak-penn-to-receive-sole-writing-credit-for-incredible-hulk_article_109697.html|last=Harvey|first=Jim |date=June 5, 2008|title=Zak Penn to receive sole writing credit for 'Incredible Hulk'|publisher= Mania.com|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> Norton did not participate in promoting the film and went to Africa for humanitarian activities instead,<ref name="LATimesControversy1" /> leading to rumors that Norton was sparking conflicts with the film's producers.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118163728/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/movies/10hulk.html?_r=0|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/movies/10hulk.html?_r=0|title=What's Big and Green, and Desperate to Be a Hit All Over?|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|date=April 10, 2008|work=The New York Times|archive-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref> He dismissed the accusations and said that the media had misrepresented the "healthy" collaborations for headlines.<ref>{{Cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426003603/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20191802,00.html|url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,20191802,00.html|last=Kirschling|first=Gregory|date=April 17, 2008|title='The Incredible Hulk': Behind-the-Scenes Drama|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2009}}</ref>

''The Incredible Hulk'' received generally favorable reviews upon release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_incredible_hulk|title=The Incredible Hulk (2008)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=June 13, 2008|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621155436/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_incredible_hulk|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' felt that Norton's presence improved the film to "a thunderously efficient enterprise" from the 2003 version.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705044709/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121331008196869571|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121331008196869571|title=Efficient 'Hulk' Hits Limits Of Marvel Source|first=Joe|last=Morgenstern|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=June 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2015}}</ref> Conversely, the ''Los Angeles Times'', while recognizing Norton's decent performance, opined that the film lacked a solid script.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702064627/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-hulk13-2008jun13,0,2950261.story|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-hulk13-2008jun13,0,2950261.story|date=June 13, 2008|first=Kenneth|last=Turan|work=Los Angeles Times|url-status=dead|title=Movie Review: 'The Incredible Hulk'|archive-date=July 2, 2008}}</ref> It was a box office success, grossing over $263 million.<ref name="EdMojo" /> Norton was expected to reprise his role in future Marvel Cinematic Universe ventures, including the 2012 blockbuster ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/edward-norton-ditched-from-the-avengers-film-as-producers-criticise-actors-talent/story-e6freuyi-1225890756651 |title=Edward Norton ditched from The Avengers film |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=July 12, 2010 | url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114201549/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/edward-norton-ditched-from-the-avengers-film-as-producers-criticise-actors-talent/story-e6freuyi-1225890756651| archive-date=November 14, 2012}}</ref> However, he was replaced by [[Mark Ruffalo]], allegedly due to Norton's "disputes" with Marvel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soulculture.co.uk/blogs/scnews/mark-ruffalo-confirmed-as-the-hulk-in-the-avengers-movie-full-cast-appears-at-sdcc/ |title=Mark Ruffalo Confirmed as The Hulk in The Avengers Movie |publisher=SoulCulture |date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820093050/http://www.soulculture.co.uk/blogs/scnews/mark-ruffalo-confirmed-as-the-hulk-in-the-avengers-movie-full-cast-appears-at-sdcc/ |archive-date=August 20, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Norton later claimed that he chose not to play Hulk again because he "wanted more diversity" and opted against associating himself with one character throughout his career.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027235808/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/edward-norton-talks-avengers-he-743265|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/edward-norton-talks-avengers-he-743265|last=Gajewski|first= Ryan |date=October 23, 2014|title=Edward Norton Offers New Explanation for Not Playing Hulk in 'Avengers' Films|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>