Hurt 'joins Incredible Hulk cast'

Hurt was Oscar nominated last year for A History of Violence

Actor William Hurt is to join the cast of the upcoming Incredible Hulk film, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The 57-year-old Oscar-winner will play General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, a military man who has devoted his life to capturing the comic book character.

He is also the father of Betty Ross - the love interest of the Hulk's human alter-ego, Bruce Banner.

Edward Norton will play the title role in the Universal Pictures film, set to be released in June 2008.

Liv Tyler has been signed to play Betty, while Britain's Tim Roth has been cast as villainous Emil Blonsky, aka The Abomination.

The film, which follows Ang Lee's 2003 blockbuster Hulk, will be directed by Louis Leterrier.

Hurt, who won a best actor Oscar in 1986 for Kiss of the Spider Woman, was seen earlier this year in Robert De Niro's film The Good Shepherd.

His other films include Children of a Lesser God, The Big Chill and A History of Violence.