When we heard that Marvel Studios was making another Hulk movie, but doing so without Eric Bana, everyone pretty much assumed that meant they’d be taking a step down in who they cast for the lead. Maybe a Jason Statham or David Duchovny for instance. Instead, they’ve surprised the hell out of everyone and actually managed to get better at the Bruce Banner position. Variety is reporting that Edward Norton has been hired to be the new Incredible Hulk in Marvel’s Incredible Hulk.

If you’re wondering where Edward Norton has been lately, he’s been busy making movies no one is seeing. The closes he’s come to mainstream recently is The Illusionist, otherwise he’s been in little indies like The Painted Veil and Down in the Valley. Well now he’s back in the big time, and he’s going to have the muscles to prove it.

Marvel’s plan for their sequel includes changing directions. They’re acknowledging that a lot of people were pretty disappointed by Ang Lee’s take on the film a few years ago, and turning things around to make the sequel “less serious”. Well, it is a movie about a big, green, grunting guy who wears purple pants. I guess that makes sense. Expect more Hulk smashing and less Bruce Banner agonizing when Edward Norton takes over the character on June 13, 2008.