The Maestro has the potential to be one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's best villains, and all the more so because the perfect casting has been staring audiences in the face for over a decade. With a slew of actors returning to their former superhero and villain roles, this is the perfect time for Edward Norton to return as the MCU's Maestro.
With the CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths opening the floodgates, as well as actors like Michael Keaton and Alfred Molina returning to their former comic roles, the current trend in superhero films is to pay respect to past incarnations of characters by integrating their former actors into newer projects, potentially as a reimagined version of their hero or villain. As the MCU turns its attention toward the possibilities of divergent timelines and alternate realities, such opportunities are riper than ever, and perhaps the best opportunity would be to utilize Norton.
Norton's only stint as the Hulk came in the MCU's second film, The Incredible Hulk, and the role has since been recast with Mark Ruffalo. While he was recast, Norton's talent for playing multifaceted and conflicted characters shined in The Incredible Hulk, as Bruce Banner struggled to keep his rampaging alternate personality in check. This wasn't a first for Norton, as his character in Fight Club similarly and iconically battled his own inner demons. While audiences got a taste of his Banner, to see Norton shine properly as Hulk means giving him a more dark and menacing story, which is why Maestro works perfectly.
Inhabiting the alternate timeline of the "Future Imperfect," the Maestro is an older version of the Hulk who gave in to his corruption in a post-apocalyptic world so he could rule over the ash heap that remained of humanity. Retaining all his devious intelligence, as well as his monstrous strength, the Maestro is a massive threat more than capable of filling Thanos' boots in terms of becoming the MCU's next major villain. Prone to giving dark philosophical monologues and representing a fascinating extension of a character most audiences are familiar with, the role is perfect for an actor with a full range of talents to inhabit.
Such projects are exactly the type that Norton thrives in. Dark, complex and layered roles like the Narrator from the aforementioned Fight Club and Norton's debut character from Primal Fear are his bread and butter, and showings like American History X prove just how compelling he can be even when embodying a detestable villain. The actor has said he would be glad to return to the role of Bruce Banner, and with the dark twist of the Maestro's evolution, this seems like it's meant to be.