The Marvel Cinematic Universe has existed since 2008 and started with Iron Man, who also became an icon of the franchise. However, the second film in the MCU couldn’t reach this level of influence. After just one film, they even replaced the lead actor, who truly loved the character.
Which film is it about? The famous Marvel Cinematic Universe started on April 14, 2008, with Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr. became a global star through the role of Tony Stark and remains an icon for the franchise to this day. Soon, he will even return as Dr. Doom, who could be even more sinister than Thanos.
In 2008, the next film in the franchise followed: The Incredible Hulk. This film had little impact on the MCU and after just one film, the lead actor Edward Norton was replaced by Mark Ruffalo, who later appeared as a supporting character in various films.
The film was not a major success compared to Iron Man. With a budget of 150 million dollars, the film grossed only
approximately 264 million US dollars worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). With this result, it ranks second to last in the franchise. Only The Marvels has grossed less.
The reviews were also rather mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film is barely considered fresh
with a critic score of 68% based on 237 reviews.
Edward Norton liked the Hulk a lot
What does Edward Norton say about the Hulk movie? In an interview with Joe Rogan (via YouTube), Edward Norton spoke about the Hulk movie in 2019 and why he decided to participate. He explains that he is a huge comic fan and has his own interpretation of the character:
The Hulk is like Prometheus, the guy who steals fire from the gods for the humans, but he gets burned and is cursed, and he tries to give humanity back the power of nature.
This actually fits the Hulk, who has gained enormous power with which he can theoretically protect humans. The Hulk is also an uncontrollable burden that weighs on Bruce Banner like a curse.
In The Incredible Hulk, this is also the theme. Bruce tries to control the power and live with it, yet he is a constant danger to himself and others. On the other hand, the government also wants to possess his power, which acts like a superweapon that is hard to defend against.
The Hulk in the current MCU is more like a character that is brought out when strength is needed. As a supporting character, he lacks the moral and personal approach that comic fans or in this case, Edward Norton, appreciate.
Was was taken from The Incredible Hulk? After the attempt in 2008, there has been no new film in which the Hulk was the main character. However, he has appeared as a supporting character in countless MCU films. He was then played by Mark Ruffalo. Even Mark Ruffalo no longer believes in a solo film (via Hollywood Reporter).
However, the villain from The Incredible Hulk had smaller appearances in the MCU. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings from 2021, you could see Abomination, played by Tim Roth, fight against Wong. In the series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law from 2022, he even appeared in several episodes and had a minor supporting role.
In the MCU, the Hulk seems like a character that people do not want to work much with. However, the Hulk has enormous potential that has often been tapped into in comics. MyMMO editor Nikolas Hernes explained in an article what bothers him about the MCU Hulk: I can’t forgive Marvel after 16 years for how they wasted one of the most intriguing heroes
