I’ve mentioned that I think the revamp is a lot better and infinitely more “summer box office” film. Ang Lee’s take would have been cool for an unestablished hero but most people feel like they know what Hulk is about. Wild new interpretations like “madder Hulk get, bigger Hulk get” didn’t sit well with diehard comic book geeks or casual filmgoers.

It seems that for whatever reason, Hulk isn’t as profitable as the likes of the X-Men and Spider-Man.  I can’t quite put my finger on it, as Hulk is one of those characters even people that have never read a comic book know about. Perhaps Hulk’s greatest nemesis will be the mainstream film industry.

Photo: Edward Norton, The Incredible Hulk, Marvel Studios, 2008

Post from: SF Universe

Marvel’s hope is that fans who didn’t see the first film will get all the backstory they need and be ready to rock with the new movie. I worry if Marvel’s going too far in its retreat from Hulk. I mean good grief, they’re treating this movie like it was Elektra or something. I really thought the only one that needed to be replaced was the director.

With a Hulk that grew in size proportionate to his anger and was also ridiculously fast, Lee had created a being that didn’t have any visible weakness. That is of course, unless some other character in the mythos undergoes a power upgrade that happens at deus ex machina speed. It could be argued that the comic book’s writers did the same thing last summer but that’s another column.

Sentry, meet Nick Nolte. Nick Nolte, meet Sentry. Have some coffee, talk amongst yourselves about the ridiculously contrived ways in which you almost beat the Hulk. O.K, I swear we’re moving on. Marvel knocked it out of the park with Iron Man.  Here’s hoping they keep the momentum going.

Photo: Edward Norton, The Incredible Hulk, Marvel Studios, 2008

Post from: SF Universe