Joaquin Phoenix: From Acting to Rapping to Hulking

The Avengers is turning in to a regular schoolyard grudge match.

On the coattails of Marvel's public (and forward) dismissal of actor Edward Norton from the role of The Hulk (which he played in 2008's The Incredible Hulk) and Norton's agent's backlash response, comes a rumor of which name actor may take over the part of Bruce Banner.

According to CHUD, Marvel is interested in Joaquin Phoenix returning from the deep end to inhabit the giant, green angry dude (and just in time to appear at Comic-Con, naturally).

While there isn't a source to verify the choice, it seems logical; Banner is a quiet, introverted character not unlike many of Phoenix's roles, and if you're going to step back into the public eye after a year and a half of sporting a Unibomber beard and throwing impromptu hip-hop concerts, a big superhero tentpole might be the way to do it.

The problem with The Avengers is how do you cram all these big name actors in to one film and not have implode. It's a difficult task, one Marvel seems to be struggling with constant recasting and assurances to the public that everything's going to be fine (maybe they need to hire Sy Ableman as the project's frontman). But hey, as long as The Hulk is smashing, Iron Man's flying and Captain America's throwing his shield, the audience will be able to overlook all the face swapping...right?

Nothing's concrete, but make sure to follow UGO's Comic-Con coverage for all latest reports.