Joaquin Phoenix offered Hulk role?

Joaquin Phoenix has allegedly been offered the part of the Hulk in Marvel's forthcoming superhero ensemble project The Avengers.

According to CHUD, Marvel Studios has extended an offer to Phoenix, who walked away from acting in 2008 to concentrate on a rap career, to take over the role from Edward Norton.

Phoenix has not appeared in a movie since Two Lovers, however his post-acting exploits have been filmed by Casey Affleck for a documentary titled I'm Still Here.

Norton, who starred in 2008's Incredible Hulk, was axed from the comic book role over the weekend after Marvel Studios president Kevin Fiege claimed that the company wants an actor who "embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members".

Norton's agent Brian Swordstrom has since hit back at Feige, calling his comments "unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory".

Marvel reportedly hopes to have an actor confirmed for the Bruce Banner role before this month's Comic-Con.

The Joss Whedon-directed Avengers will open on May 4, 2012 and bring together Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Chris Evans's Captain America.