Will Bruce Banner Walk the Line?

While Marvel and Ed Norton persist in their public war of words (via HitFix), there’s still one issue to be resolved. Who will be the third actor to portray mild-mannered anger-management scientist Bruce Banner in The Avengers?

CHUD reports an offer has been sent out to Joaquin Phoenix, of all people. The Oscar-nominated actor-turned-public nut job is taking his sweet ass time considering the offer. If he gives the thumbs up, there's a legit chance the studio could officially announce him at Comic Con next Saturday along with director Joss Whedon and the other members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.  

If the studio (rather wisely) opted against working with the notoriously difficult Norton again, how is going for the "Is he or isn’t he bat-shit crazy" Phoenix an up-grade? In a way, it's irrelevant who plays Banner. We'll mostly be seeing the angry green giant and Marvel has made it clear the role is interchangeable having gone through three actors in under ten years.

But getting an actor like Phoenix suggests the House of Ideas (and, of course, the Mouse) are eyeing for a third go-around at a solo franchise. Considering the previous two Hulk films were both pricey under-performers, the general public has let it be known. Nobody cares about the character besides fandom.