The Incredible Hulk (2008) - The Ultimate Guide

The Incredible Hulk (2008): The Ultimate Guide to the Green Goliath's Marvel Cinematic Universe Debut

Production: Breathing New Life into the Hulk

Following Ang Lee's 2003 film "Hulk," Marvel Studios sought to bring a version of the character more closely aligned with the comic books to the big screen as part of their ambitious MCU initiative. 

Development and Writing:

Looking for a fresh start, Marvel Studios decided against a direct sequel to the 2003 film, opting for a soft reboot that would acknowledge the character's established backstory without being beholden to the previous movie's narrative. Zak Penn, who had previously worked on "X2" and "Last Action Hero," was brought on to write the screenplay. His approach focused on a more straightforward action-adventure narrative, emphasizing the Hulk's destructive power and Bruce Banner's desperate attempts to control his transformations.

Penn cited the 1970s television series "The Incredible Hulk" starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno as a key influence, particularly in its portrayal of Banner as a fugitive constantly on the run. Initial drafts explored different storylines, but the final script centered on Banner's life in hiding and the military's relentless pursuit, culminating in the emergence of the Abomination.

Casting the Lead:

Edward Norton, known for his intense and nuanced performances, was cast as Bruce Banner. He also took an uncredited role in rewriting parts of the screenplay, aiming for a more complex portrayal of the character.

Unlike the fully CGI Hulk in the 2003 film, "The Incredible Hulk" utilized a combination of motion capture (with Lou Ferrigno, the original TV Hulk, providing some of the motion capture) and CGI to bring the behemoth to life. This aimed for a more grounded and physically imposing presence.

Directorial Vision:

Louis Leterrier, known for his action-oriented films like "The Transporter 2" and "Clash of the Titans," was chosen to direct. His focus was on delivering thrilling action sequences and a fast-paced narrative. While heavily reliant on CGI for the Hulk, Leterrier also incorporated practical effects and stunts to enhance the realism of the action.

Filming Locations:

• Toronto, Canada: Served as a primary filming location, doubling for various locations including New York City and the Culver University campus.
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Key early scenes depicting Banner's life in hiding were filmed in the vibrant and visually distinct city of Rio de Janeiro, adding an exotic and desperate feel to his situation.
• New York City: The climactic battle between the Hulk and the Abomination took place in a realistically rendered CGI version of Harlem, showcasing the immense scale of their destructive power.
  
  

Plot Synopsis of The Incredible Hulk: Running from the Past, Fighting for the Future

This synopsis includes the entire summary of The Incredible Hulk (2008). Please skip this section if you do not want spoilers.

"The Incredible Hulk" picks up some time after the gamma radiation experiment that transformed scientist Bruce Banner into the Hulk.

Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is living a secluded life in Rio de Janeiro, working in a soda factory and studying martial arts under the alias "David Banner." He is desperately searching for a cure to his condition while trying to avoid any stressful situations that might trigger his transformation. General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt), who was in charge of the experiment that created the Hulk and is also the father of Banner's former love interest, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), is relentlessly tracking Banner. He views the Hulk as a dangerous weapon and wants to capture him.

Ross's forces eventually locate and attempt to capture Banner in Brazil. This leads to Banner's first transformation into the Hulk in the film, resulting in a destructive escape. Banner flees back to the United States and seeks out Betty Ross, who is now in a relationship with psychiatrist Leonard Samson (Tim Roth). Betty, despite her initial apprehension, is still concerned for Bruce and becomes involved in his search for a cure. Banner and Betty seek the help of Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), a cellular biologist who has been secretly communicating with Banner and believes he is close to a cure. Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), a Royal Marine Commando working with Ross, undergoes a similar but unstable gamma radiation treatment at Sterns's lab in an attempt to gain powers to match the Hulk. This transforms him into the monstrous Abomination.

The Abomination goes on a destructive rampage through Harlem, New York. Recognizing the immense threat, Banner decides that the only way to stop him is to embrace his Hulk persona once again. The Hulk and the Abomination engage in a brutal and destructive battle across the streets of Harlem. Ultimately, the Hulk manages to defeat the Abomination.

Following the battle, Banner once again goes on the run, accepting that a permanent cure may be elusive.

Post-Credits Scene: In a now-iconic post-credits scene, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) approaches General Ross, hinting at the formation of a team, setting the stage for "The Avengers."

Cast and Characters of The Incredible Hulk: Familiar Faces and New Threats

"The Incredible Hulk" featured a talented cast bringing these iconic characters to life:

• Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner / The Hulk: A brilliant scientist transformed into a giant, green, rage-fueled monster when stressed or angered. Norton's portrayal emphasized Banner's intelligence and his internal struggle with his alter ego.
  
  
• Liv Tyler as Dr. Betty Ross: A scientist and Bruce Banner's former love interest. Tyler portrayed Betty as compassionate and determined to help Bruce.
  
  
• William Hurt as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross: Betty's father and a high-ranking military officer obsessed with capturing the Hulk and weaponizing his power. Hurt brought a stern and relentless intensity to the role.
  
  
• Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky / The Abomination: A highly skilled Royal Marine Commando who undergoes a gamma radiation treatment, transforming him into a monstrous creature with immense strength and bone protrusions. Roth portrayed Blonsky's descent into power-hungry madness.
  
  
• Tim Blake Nelson as Dr. Samuel Sterns: A cellular biologist working on gamma radiation and Banner's condition. Nelson's portrayal hinted at a darker future for his character.
  
  
• Ty Burrell as Dr. Leonard Samson: A psychiatrist and Betty Ross's current boyfriend at the beginning of the film. Burrell provided a more grounded and somewhat oblivious presence.
  
  
• Lou Ferrigno as the Voice of the Hulk (and Security Guard): The iconic actor who played the Hulk in the 1970s TV series lent his voice to the character and also made a cameo as a security guard.
  
  
• Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark (uncredited cameo): His brief appearance in the post-credits scene directly connected the film to the wider MCU.
  
  
  

Reception: A Mixed but Generally Positive Response

"The Incredible Hulk" received generally positive reviews from critics, although it wasn't as universally acclaimed as some other early MCU films.

• Praise for Action and Visuals: Critics generally praised the film's fast-paced action sequences, particularly the climactic battle in Harlem, and the visual effects used to bring the Hulk and the Abomination to life. The motion capture work with Lou Ferrigno was also noted for giving the Hulk a more physical presence.
  
  
• Norton's Performance: Edward Norton's portrayal of Bruce Banner was often highlighted for its intelligence and emotional depth, differentiating it from previous iterations.
  
  
• Pacing and Tone: Some critics felt the film's pacing was uneven, and its tone, while more action-oriented than the 2003 film, still lacked some of the lightheartedness that would become a hallmark of later MCU movies.
  
  
• Comparison to Previous Film: Many reviews compared "The Incredible Hulk" favorably to Ang Lee's "Hulk," noting its more straightforward narrative and closer adherence to the comic book source material.
  
  
• Edward Norton's Involvement and Departure: Behind the scenes, there were reports of creative differences between Edward Norton and Marvel Studios regarding the final cut of the film. This ultimately led to Norton being replaced by Mark Ruffalo for future MCU appearances.
  
  

Box Office Performance: A Solid but Not Spectacular Success

"The Incredible Hulk" performed reasonably well at the box office, although it wasn't the runaway success of some other MCU films.

• Worldwide Gross: The film grossed  $264.8 million worldwide against a production budget of around $150 million. The film performed strongest in international markets, contributing significantly to its overall gross.
  
  
• Domestic Performance: In the United States and Canada, it earned  $134.8 million.
  
  
• Comparison to Other MCU Films: While profitable, its box office numbers were lower than those of "Iron Man," which was released just a month prior and became a major critical and commercial hit, setting a high bar for the MCU.
  
  

The Incredible Hulk and the Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Crucial Link

Despite the recasting of Bruce Banner, "The Incredible Hulk" remains an official part of the MCU timeline and lays important groundwork for future events.

• Introduction of Key Characters: The film introduced General Thunderbolt Ross, who would later reappear in "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," the Disney+ series "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and "Captain America: Brave New World" (played by Harrison Ford) becoming a recurring and significant figure. Emil Blonsky / Abomination also made a surprising return in the Disney+ series "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law."
  
  
• Gamma Radiation and Superpowers: The film further established gamma radiation as a source of superhuman abilities within the MCU, a concept that would be explored in later projects.
  
  
• The Seeds of the Avengers: The post-credits scene featuring Tony Stark directly teased the formation of the Avengers Initiative, solidifying the film's place within the larger narrative.
  
  
• Soft Reboot Approach: "The Incredible Hulk" demonstrated Marvel's willingness to course-correct and reintroduce characters while still maintaining continuity within their growing cinematic universe. The references to the gamma experiment allowed audiences unfamiliar with the 2003 film to understand Banner's origin without retreading the entire story.
  
  
• Narrative Threads: While Edward Norton's portrayal of Banner was unique, the core elements of his story – his struggle with the Hulk, his relationship with Betty Ross, and the military's pursuit – were established and continued in subsequent MCU appearances, albeit with a different actor.
  
  
• The Incredible Hulk Reimagined: The Disney+ series "What If...?" reimagines some events of The Incredible Hulk in the episode "What If...the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?"
  
  

Legacy and Impact: A Stepping Stone for the MCU

"The Incredible Hulk," while sometimes considered an outlier due to the recasting of its lead, played a vital role in the early development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It demonstrated that Marvel could successfully bring a complex and visually demanding character like the Hulk to the big screen as part of a larger interconnected narrative. The film's action-oriented approach and its introduction of key characters and concepts helped pave the way for the unprecedented success that the MCU would eventually achieve. While Mark Ruffalo's portrayal of the Hulk has become the definitive version for many fans, "The Incredible Hulk" remains a significant chapter in the ongoing saga of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Get The Incredible Hulk (2008) (4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray) here!

Want to dive into the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Check out our feature, Building the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Phase One Ultimate Guide.  Want to know which ways to watch? Check out our feature, The Marvel Cinematic Universe - Watch Order vs Chronological Order.