Hurray!

Ed Norton is NOT returning to play the Hulk in the soon to be released The Avengers movie!

It was reported yesterday that Marvel Studios decided not to bring back actor Edward Norton in the role of Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk in their upcoming superhero team-up flick "The Avengers," due in theatres in 2012. In a statement sent in direct response to yesterday's story from the set of "Captain America" in London, Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige forwarded the following exclusively to HitFix, the site that broke the story:

"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."

Chris Evans is Captain America

from Hollywood Wiretap:

Chris Evans has finally been selected to don the star-spangled superhero suit for "Captain America." After weeks of reports flying back and forth as to potential candidates, Marvel made an offer that Evans accepted last week. The deal, reports Variety, calls for the actor to star in at least three "Captain America" movies.

"The First Avenger: Captain America" is set to open on July 22, 2011. Paramount will distribute.

Evans would also reprise the role in "The Avengers," which will unite Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the Incredible Hulk (Edward Norton) in one pic, notes Variety. That film is set for May 4, 2012.

Joe Johnston will direct "Captain America" from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

*Ed Norton? Really?  They're really gonna run with that?  That would totally kill it for me....I hate Ed Norton, whiny bitch....and I really hate the Incredible Hulk.  Damm.  Might be a dealbreaker.*

And Captain America to be played by.....

Leo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt??!! Actually, I can't think who I would want to play Capt. America....or Thor for that matter! from the Tipster:

If you're gonna dream, dream big, as Marvel Studios is reportedly doing with its wish list for its upcoming Captain America. According to Latino Review, the two names topping the studio's most wanted list as potential Cap'ns: Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. DiCaprio, who earlier this week signed on to play Atari founder Nolan Bushnell in a biopic, seems unlikely to step up for the project, especially since he reportedly turned down the offer to play Spider-Man when that franchise launched, with DiCaprio pal Tobey Maguire, in 2002. Pitt, meanwhile, has been rumored for months to be the top choice for an adaptation of the Thor comics, but he's also, according to Latino Review, the number-two pick for Captain America. Both stars already have fully packed schedules, with DiCaprio also committed to Martin Scorsese's Teddy Roosevelt biopic, the thriller The Chancellor Manuscript and historical drama Freedom Within the Heart, while Pitt is attached to the Terrence Malick-directed sci-fi adventure Tree of Life, the boxing drama The Fighter and the Watergate drama Dirty Tricks.

*Here's an update on more Marvel movies to be released:

Iron Man 2 in 2010
Thor in 2011
The Avengers in 2011
Captain America in 2011

and this I just found out....X-Men origins: Wolverine to be released May 2009

SO STOKED!!!*