Edward Norton is one of the most acclaimed and respected actors in the entertainment industry. While mostly known for his dramatic roles in Glass Onion.
He may have missed his chance with ing he was fired from his role as the Hulk, but he's also missed out on several now iconic roles that he himself turned down personally. Whether due to his infamously high standards or just a simple schedule conflict, Norton hasn't always been able to take on certain projects; whether these roles would've worked out as well with him or not is a different story.
Updated on January 23rd, 2023 by Colin McCormick: Edward Norton is getting a lot of attention for his hilarious and fun performance in Rian Johnson's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. It is the latest role for an actor who is known for being selective with the movies he s. This has led to him turning down some very notable roles with even more interesting "what-if" scenarios that fans can imagine. Whether or not things worked out for the best, it is fun to see the many roles Edward Norton turned down.
Unknown Role - Abandon (2002)
- Available on fuboTV and Starz
While some of the projects that Norton has ed on have gone on to be great and beloved movies, he likely doesn't have any regrets about ing on the thriller Abandon. Katie Holmes stars in the movie as a college girl whose boyfriend goes missing only for her to periodically see him following her.
Observer reports that Norton was asked to the movie as part of his obligations to Paramount Studios, but he refused. Though it is unclear which role he would have had, it seems likely he would have played the detective eventually played by Benjamin Bratt.
Patrick Bateman - American Psycho (2000)
- Available on HBO Max
American Psycho received positive reviews from critics and was a modest success at the box office, but it's achieved an unexpected legacy since its release, becoming a cult classic partly due to Christian Bale's performance as Patrick Bateman. The film could've turned out much differently, however, as Bale came quite close to losing the role that he's become so synonymous with.
According to SlashFilm, Norton was one of several actors along with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio that the studio was looking to cast, despite director Mary Harron continuously pushing for Bale. In the end, Harron got her wish after Norton and the rest turned the film down, and its fan base wouldn't have it any other way.
Stephen Collins - State Of Play (2009)
- Available on Netflix
After making one of the most popular movies of the 1990s, Norton nearly re-teamed with his Fight Club co-star Brad Pitt for the thriller State of Play. The movie follows an investigative journalist who looks into the death of an aide working for a congressman who happens to be his old friend.
It is an exciting notion to see Norton and Pitt together again, but it was not meant to be. According to Empire, following Pitt stepping down from the role of the journalist, Norton left the project as well. They were replaced by Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck respectively.
Lieutenant Thomas Hart - Hart's War (2002)
- Available on Prime Video, Hoopla, PlutoTV and Tubi
When it comes to the discussion of the best World War II movies, Hart's War is a film that doesn't get mentioned too often, but it's an underrated gem of a historical drama that deserves more attention. Norton was originally cast as the title character but later dropped out and was recast with Colin Farrell.
According to Entertainment Weekly there have been some conflicting stories over the years between the film's director, Gregory Hoblit, and Norton's manager as to the exact reason the actor decided to leave the production. Regardless of his reasoning, it turned out to be a case where Norton's rejection made for a better movie and one that helped to further advance Farrell's early career.
Wolverine - X-Men (2000)
- Available on Disney+ and Hulu
Given just how well he played the role for nine films over the course of seventeen years, it's hard for the movie-going public to imagine anyone else as X-Men's Logan/Wolverine other than Hugh Jackman. According to CinemaBlend, however, the franchise could've seen a much different face as Norton was just one of several who was considered for the role before 20th Century Fox finally settled on Jackman.
Norton declined the chance to audition, while other actors who were under consideration for the macho mutant included Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, and even Bob Hoskins. Despite his wide range and versatility, Norton was certainly one of the odder choices to be considered, and his casting would've likely been an example of outside-the-box thinking for Fox.
Bruce Banner - Hulk (2003)
- Available on Hulu, TNT, TBS and Tru TV
Norton being replaced by Mark Ruffalo following The Incredible Hulk remains the biggest recasting in the MCU. Interestingly, Norton had previously had another opportunity to plays the giant green Marvel hero. Ang Lee's Hulk featured Eric Bana in the role of Bruce Banner, but Lee initially had a few other names in mind.
According to YardBarker, Norton was unimpressed with the script and turned it down, along with others like Billy Crudup and Tom Cruise. It's interesting to imagine how Norton would've further handled the role in The Avengers and its sequels, but it's even more interesting to imagine how he would've handled the role five years prior.
Unknown Role - Mission: Impossible 3 (2006)
- Available on Apple TV+ and Paramount+
One of many enticing Mission: Impossible 3. Before J.J. Abrams took over the sequel, Fincher looked to deliver a darker take for the franchise, and Observer reports that Norton was circling the project as well.
Reportedly, Norton was looking to fulfill a contractual obligation to the studio and thought reteaming with his Fight Club director would be a good way to do that. Eventually, Fincher left the project and Norton was not cast.
Unknown Role - The Core (2003)
- Available on HBO Max
The science-fiction disaster movie The Core tells the story of a group of scientists who embark on a mission to save Earth by drilling to its center in an attempt to restart the rotation of its core. While its cast consisted of other Oscar nominees and winners like Stanley Tucci and Hilary Swank, the film failed to pique the interest of Norton when he was offered one of the leading roles.
After Primal Fear, Norton signed a deal with Paramount to star in one more film produced by the studio. According to Observer, he turned down several films that would've helped to fulfill that contractual obligation, with The Core being one of them. He eventually agreed to take the role of Steve in The Italian Job to avoid any legal disputes with Paramount.
Dr. Dennet Norton - RoboCop (2014)
- Available on Prime Video, Paramount+, Epix and DIRECTV
Some RoboCop fans have their own reasons why the 2014 reboot isn't as bad as people say, and while it's been mostly regarded as inferior to the 1987 original, its casting, featuring the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton, was one of its elements that were widely praised.
According to one of the worst movie remakes by many fans, it seems like a wise choice.
Nicholas Easter - Runaway Jury (2003)
- Available on DIRECTV and Starz
Before its release in 2003, the film adaptation of John Grisham's Runaway Jury had a hard time getting off the ground. The film was originally set to be directed by Joel Schumacher and would've featured Norton in the role Nicholas Easter, along with Sean Connery and Gwyneth Paltrow.
According to Empire, after Schumacher left the project, Norton and the rest of the cast soon followed. When Gary Fleder took over the director's chair, Norton's role was recast with John Cusack, along with an entirely new cast that included Gene Hackman and Rachael Weisz.
Private James Ryan - Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Available on Paramount+ and Pluto TV
most historically accurate war movies ever made, but it's also one of Steven Spielberg's greatest works overall. Most would think it'd be crazy to turn down a film of such quality, but it just so happens that Norton did.
According to moviefone Norton turned the offer of playing the film's titular character in favor of playing Derek Vinyard in American History X. Given how the latter film is now thought to be one of his greatest roles, even earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, it's understandable why he'd choose a leading role over a ing one in a Spielberg film that Matt Damon ended up playing.
Private Witt - The Thin Red Line (1998)
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Another classic war drama Terrance Malik's The Thin Red Line was and featured an all-star cast, including Sean Penn and Adrian Brody. According to The Playlist, Norton was originally set to play the film's lead character, Private Witt, but a personal tragedy prevented him from being able to commit to the part.
Unfortunately, Norton's mother ed away almost a month before he was set to shoot the film in Australia, and he dropped out of the film to remain close to his family. The role was inherited by Jim Caviezel, who received high praise in what has been widely regarded as his breakout film role.
Unknown Human Role - Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)
- Now in theaters
The long-awaited sequel to James Cameron's 2009 hit Avatar is finally set to be released in December, and fans of the original are confident it will have been worth the thirteen-year wait. Most of the original cast will be returning along with some new faces, including Vin Diesel and Michelle Yeoh, but Norton had declined the chance to them for a very specific and surprising reason.
According to Alita: Battle Angel, in which he served as a producer.
