OK, they didn’t actually say those words, but between the lines….

Marvel has thrown down the gauntlet regarding it’s upcoming Avengers movie which teams the characters Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Nick Fury, Black Widow and several others by officially announcing that they won’t be calling on Edward Norton to reprise his role as Bruce Banner.

Norton caused a lot of headaches when he got into a well documented dispute with execs over the script and the movie’s direction.  Long story short: The notoriously difficult Norton refused to promote the film, the movie did OK at the box office, but was far from the huge draw Iron Man did (both were released the same summer).  Norton blamed the studio, the studio blamed him.

Rumour was floating around that Marvel was now going for a lesser known actor due to monetary reasons.  Then last night, the studio released a fairly blunt statement (by Hollywood standards) clarifying their position.   

“We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. Our 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. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”

Oh, snap.

No word from Edward Norton or his spokesminions over the jab (honest as it may be).  Of course, people are already lining up to take sides, some saying Marvel is out of line while others are saying this is simply karma.

Wonder what Eric Bana’s doing?  He originated the role in Ang Lee’s boring existential version of The Hulk several years ago, and made a great Bruce Banner.

UPDATE – Norton’s agent has responded to Marvel’s statement and predictably isn’t pleased with what he (and obviously his client) deems as a personal attack, not to mention the lost commission on a potentially huge paycheck.

“This offensive statement from Kevin Feige at Marvel is a purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light.  Here are the facts:  two months ago, Kevin called me and said he wanted Edward to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers.  He told me it would be his fantasy to bring Edward on stage with the rest of the cast at ComiCon and make it the event of the convention.  When I said that Edward was definitely open to this idea, Kevin was very excited and we agreed that Edward should meet with Joss Whedon to discuss the project.  Edward and Joss had a very good meeting (confirmed by Feige to me) at which Edward said he was enthusiastic at the prospect of being a part of the ensemble cast.  Marvel subsequently made him a financial offer to be in the film and both sides started negotiating in good faith.  This past Wednesday, after several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions, but before we had come to terms on a deal, a representative from Marvel called to say they had decided to go in another direction with the part.  This seemed to us to be a financial decision but, whatever the case, it is completely their prerogative, and we accepted their decision with no hard feelings.

We know a lot of fans have voiced their public disappointment with this result, but this is no excuse for Feige’s mean spirited, accusatory comments.  Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his.  Feige’s statement is unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory.  Mr. Norton talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel’s fans.

Brian Swardstrom
WME”

Oh, whaaaaaa! 

Another problem with Edward Norton is (allegedly) he has to be the only star on the set.  Normally this would be a problem on almost any production, but it becomes an out and out impossibility when dealing with an ensemble cast that includes Robert Downy Jr, Scarlet Johansen and Samuel L. Jackson.

If Eric Bana is unavailable may I suggest Adiran Brody?  As the newly released Predators has just proved, he looks great half naked.

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The bride wore white (who’s kidding who?) at her wedding to NFL player Kyle Boller this past Friday.

About a year ago, Carrie famously said she didn’t support gay marriage during a Q&A session at a beauty pageant, which may or may not have helped cost her the crown (she believes it did).

After that, it was all downhill for her.  Carrie got fired by Donald Trump for being a raging bitch to everyone on his staff but him, and subsequent petulant, hypocritical, and increasingly paranoid behavior from the beauty queen made her the butt of jokes. 

Lawsuits, sex tapes, and disastrous appearances on talk shows (Live with Larry King, The View) to shill her quickie tell all book (which blamed the liberal media for her downfall) as the summer progressed just added to the spectacular trainwreck.

As for her marriage, I give it about three years.

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Naomi Campbell seems to be missing something (besides a nice personality).

Apparently, the mal-tempered model, who has buzzed hair underneath all those weaves and wigs she’s so found of, is actually going bald in spots because of all the glue, threading, and what-not they use to attach the various hair pieces to her head.

A Tricholigist who examined the photos of Naomi for the The Daily Mail (because this is such a monumental news story) says that Britney Spears and Victoria Beckham also had the same thing happen to them.

Can’t you just see Naomi beating the stylist with a hairbrush when she first noticed she had less hair than when she started when her weave was removed?

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Beware services from “celebrity” (insert name of service here).  You don’t get anything more than going to a non-celebrity offering the same service, except maybe the size of your bill.

 TMZ is saying “Celebrity” dog groomer and veterinarian Cindy Bressler is suing Mariah Carey to the tune of $3o grand for failure to pay the outstanding balance of a $38 grand bill for taking care of Mimi’s three dogs while she was busy promoting Precious last year.

No word yet why Mimi hasn’t paid the rest of the bill.   Maybe the dogs were supposed to have some work done, but came back looking just the same as when they were dropped off, or Mimi is trying to work with a budget (she should lower husband Nick Cannon’s allowance, if that’s the case).

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Calista Flockheat (Ali McBeal, Brothers & Sisters) 45, and Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) 67 made it official this Tuesday and got hitched in New Mexico after 9 years together.

Harrison’s currently in NM filming a movie called Cowboys & Aliens.  That title alone guarantees I’m going to go see it.

The pair met at the Golden Globes in 2002 and got engaged last year.  Callista’s nine year old son Liam was there, as was the Governor of the state and his wife (their friends of the family) who acted as witnesses.  This is Callista’s first marriage, and Harrison’s third. 

Guess after nine years they figured why not?  That’s about as good as a test run as your ever going to get.

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More deets are coming out about January Jones’ car crash last night where she left the scene because of the paps.

Word is January met Bobby Flay while watching the game and got his number to give to her designer as she’s remodeling her kitchen.  After January left the hotel and had her car accident where she hit the three parked cars, she called Bobby and he came to see if she was all right.  Bobby claims he doesn’t know why she called him (sure he doesn’t).  Apparently, it was his idea for her to leave the scene of the accident, so January gave her license to one of the witnesses and took off.

When January came back less than an hour later, she had changed her clothes and was chewing gum.  Another witness says that they didn’t see any paps around after the crash and that they smelt booze on January’s breath before she took off, but Bobby says as far as he knows, she only had one beer at the hotel bar where they were watching the Lakers game.  Police told witnesses at the scene that a sobriety test would be useless since January could have had a drink at home to calm her nerves. 

If you were giving your computer monitor the cut eye while reading this story, you should have seen me while writing it.  However, the police seem to be buying it.  Nicely played.

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Thursday was just not January Jones’ day.

First, the Mad Men star was photographed hailing a cab wearing the same outfit she had on the night before at some event (picture above), meaning the dreaded “walk of shame”.  Then last night she was involved in a car accident.

Apparently, January was being pursued by the paps while on her way home from watching the Lakers game and somehow ended up crashing her car into three parked ones.  

Needless to say, the paps were probably having a field day over this, which is why January channeled her Mad Men character Betty Draper, and was all “I can’t deal with this commotion”, leaving the scene of the accident to walk half a block to her place, where she called the cops.

January was told the police were already there, so she went back to speak to them and is said to have fully cooperated.  No charges are being filed as there was no evidence of booze and January had left her licence in the car so the police could identify who was involved (hit and run or failing to remain at the scene of an accident only count if you try to purposely cover it up).

Poor January, she better stick to limos or the bus, as cabs and driving herself don’t seem to be working out too well for her.

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Looks like the attention seeking singer is tired of all the attention (or at least that’s the impression she’s trying to give).

While taking in a Mets game yesterday in NYC, Gaga took exception to the fact that people started to focus on her rather than the game and take her picture.  It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the studded black bra she was wearing that screamed “Look at me!  Look at me!”  could it?  Gaga and her entourage were moved up to a private luxury box, were she continued to flip the bird at anyone who took her picture.

The other day, Gaga was caught pulling the same move eating a hotdog at a street vendor’s, while wearing an oversized Matrix like full length leather coat, f*ck me pumps and Ray-Bans.  

Fame really is a monster.

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A 30 second clip of Katy Perry’s video has been released (they have teaser trailers for video’s now?) in an effort to increase interest and take some of the thunder stolen by Lady Gaga’s latest opus.

It’s a great track for the summer and a perfect driving song.  Driving songs are any piece of music that you’ll listen to while in the car that are light, poppy, and completley upbeat, but that you have no real desire to hear outside of that environment.

Katy’s video features her licking ice-cream, wearing a cup-cake bikini top and a bra that shoots out foam.  It may be boob-centric, but at least it’s not “blasphemous” (unless your a member of the Taliban or from 1952).

Will post the full video one it’s available.

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…As her performance last night on the MTV Movie Awards  isn’t going to help stop the “who’s copying who?” debate between her camp and Lady Gaga’s at all. 

Last year, Gaga wowed the crowed in Toronto at the Much Music Video Awards with her performance in which she wore a bustier that shot firecrackers out at the end of her number.

Last night, Christina sang a medley of songs from her upcoming album Bionic (which gets released tomorrow), wearing a sparkly bodice complete with a heart shaped LED light in the crotch that glowed at the closing of her performance.

Coincidence?  I think not.  Lady Gaga, the next move is yours to make.

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