The star of The Illusionist will take over the role of Hulk’s alter ego Bruce Banner.

Edward Norton has been cast as Bruce Banner in the Louis Leterrier-directed sequel, The Incredible Hulk, according to Variety.

Norton (The Illusionist) takes over the lead role from Eric Bana, who played Banner in 2003’s Ang Lee-directed Hulk. Banner’s alter ego, The Hulk, is created through CGI animation.

Marvel Studios wants the follow-up to be less self-serious and more in line with the comic series and TV show, considering that the first film did not do as well as their other franchises like Spider-Man and X-Men. The sequel begins with Banner on the run, trying to avoid capture long enough to cure the condition that turns him into a misunderstood green menace.

The Incredible Hulk, with a script by Zak Penn, will shoot this summer in Toronto and will open in theaters June 13, 2008.