An interesting column at the Hollywood Reporter notes that in spite of much more positive reviews from fans and critics, the new Hulk movie will pull in about what the first one did.

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

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have joined in what are generally positive reviews for Marvel’s latest take on the Incredible Hulk.  “Perfectly solid summer action fare” Variety’s Todd McCarthy says. He notes nods to King Kong and of course the Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde vibes that have always been a part of this character.

“The production arm of Marvel Entertainment is 2-for-2 in 2008, hitting home runs with Iron Man and now Incredible Hulk,” according to THR’s Kirk Honeycutt. He confirms the Iron Man cameo that was about the worst kept secret in comic book movie history. I won’t spoil the details for you, but they’re out there if you check around. Suffice it to say it is an awesome time to be a comic book fan.

If the weekend numbers turn out like they appear destined to, Marvel Studios has changed the comic book movie making game forever.

Image courtesy of Newscom.

                                     Comic book historian Alan Kistler has already done must-read lists for those planning to see The Dark Knight and Iron Man, so naturally he’s back to tell us what Incredible Hulk books are essential to understanding the character. 

Marvel, not coincidentally, has been gradually increasing the Hulk’s profile in preparation for this movie. He was shot into space by Marvel’s version of the Illuminati, then made like Russell Crowe as a gladiator on a savage alien world.

Last year he returned to fight World War Hulk against the entire Marvel universe. Now, he’s taking on the summer film blockbusters in what could be his toughest fight yet.

Check out Kistler’s list of the best Hulk stories here.

Image courtesy of Newscom.

                                      Marvel attempts to make it two in a row as Incredible Hulk, played this time by Edward Norton, hits this Friday. And we hope he hits. Hits lots of things. Smashes them actually, because Hulk fans need that after Ang Lee’s cerebral take on the Jade Giant.

A couple of positive reader reviews have come out after some early screenings. There are apparently several nods to the classic 80s TV show, as well as some other Marvel franchises. Having taken over the chore of making its own movies, Marvel is going to present the first shared comic universe ever on screen. Robert Downey Jr. reportedly has a cameo in Hulk, and of course Samuel L. Jackson’s turn as Nick Fury was one of the best after-credit treats ever.

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The game based on the upcoming Incredible Hulk film just took a major step toward not being the complete and total waste of a jewel case most movie games are.

Marvel and Sega have announced that the game based on the June movie will feature all the key members of the cast including Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross and Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/The Abomination.

Sega said the game, being developed by Edge of Reality, will draw from the movie’s events but feature some divergent plotlines too. Now we just have to hope the gameplay’s up to par.