The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 American superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It’s produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Universal Pictures. The movie is the second film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Take a look below for 30 more fun and interesting facts about The Incredible Hulk.
1. The movie was directed by Louis Leterrier, with a screenplay by Zak Penn.
2. The Incredible Hulk stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, alongside Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, and William Hurt.
3. In The Incredible Hulk, Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk as an unwitting pawn in a military scheme to reinvigorate the supersoldier program through gamma radiation. On the run, he attempts to cure himself of the Hulk before he’s captured by General Thaddeus Ross, but his worst fears are realized when power-hungry soldier Emil Blonsky becomes a similar, but more bestial creature.
4. Over 700 visual effects shots were created in post-production using a combination of motion capture and computer-generated imagery to complete the movie.
5. The move received generally favorable reviews by critics, with praise going to the improved visuals, action sequences, and the portrayal of the Hulk.
6. The movie grossed over $263 million worldwide.
7. Edward Norton was set to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers and any other Marvel Cinematic Universe installment featuring the character, but he was ultimately replaced by Mark Ruffalo, who has signed on to portray the character in all potential sequels.
8. Although cut from the theatrical run, Captain America can be seen in the alternate beginning on the DVD and Blu-Ray. When the last piece of ice breaks up toward the screen, hit the pause button. There, frozen in the ice, lies Captain America with his shield.
9. According to Tim Roth, Edward Norton re-wrote scenes every day. Norton and Liv Taylor also spent hours discussing their characters’ lives.
10. Paul Soles, who portrays Stanley, the owner of the pizza shop, provided the voice for Dr. Bruce Banner in the Hulk animated series. The character’s name may also be another tribute to Hulk co-creator Stan Lee.
11. It took the visual effects artists over a year to construct a shot where Dr. Banner’s gamma irradiated blood falls through three factory stories into a bottle.
12. The Incredible Hulk is the only Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One movie, in which Nick Fury doesn’t appear. However, his name appears in the opening credit montage.
13. Near the beginning of the movie, when Banner is flipping channels on the television, one of the shows he stops on is The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, which starred Bill Bixby. Bixby played Dr. Banner in The Incredible Hulk television series.
14. Liv Tyler accepted her role without reading the script.
15. Captain America: Civil War is the first appearance of William Hurt as General Thaddeus Ross since The Incredible Hulk, an eight year absence for his character. The Russo brothers, directing that movie, wanted to incorporate Ross, as they felt that the character had been forgotten a bit since The Incredible Hulk.
16. Stylistically, the filmmakers chose a darker shade of green from the 2003 Hulk movie, and decided to not make him as big. His size doesn’t increase as he becomes further enraged, staying at a consistent height.
17. Originally, Abomination, the main antagonist in The Incredible Hulk, was going to return as a supporting antagonist in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but he was cut.
18. The Hulk’s look was based on comic book artist Dale Keown’s drawings, where, “The Hulk, being beyond perfect, has zero grams of fat, is all chiseled, and is defined by his muscle and strength, so he’s like a tank.”
19. Sam Elliott wanted to reprise his role as General Ross from the 2003 Hulk movie, but it was taken by William Hurt.
20. Producer Gale Anne Hurd called the movie a “requel” because it’s a bit of a reboot, and a bit of a sequel to the 2003 Hulk movie.
21. Edward Norton re-wrote the script substantially, and on certain posters, he was credited under the pseudonym of “Edward Harrison.” Norton’s writing credit was later denied by the WGA, and Zak Penn is the only writer credited.
22. The visual effects experts based the Hulk and Abomination’s movements on linebackers.
23. When Bruce Banner e-mails Mr. Blue with his data, while Betty purchases the used truck, the e-mail is tracked through the S.H.I.E.L.D. database.
24. In the market scene in Chiapas, the “Lonely Man” theme from The Incredible Hulk television series, which played whenever Dr. Bruce Banner was on the road travelling from one place to another, is head in the musical score.
25. Composer Craig Armstrong collaborated with Louis Leterrier to create the movie’s score. Marvel Studios were so pleased with the score, they decided to release it as a two-disc soundtrack.
26. Edward Norton and Tim Roth filmed their Hulk versus Abomination fights on a stage, using motion capture, and 37 digital cameras. Roth enjoyed using the motion capture technique, because it reminded him of fringe theater.
27. William Hurt based his performance as General Ross on Captain Ahab, the obsessive captain who endlessly chased Moby Dick.
28. In the comics, the Abomination possesses pointed ears. Louis Leterrier wanted this characteristic to appear in the movie, but reasoned that the Hulk would bite them off, which was considered too intense for a PG-13 movie.
29. The military base, “Fort Johnson,” is named after Kenneth Johnson; the writer, director, and producer of The Incredible Hulk television series.
30. In addition to doing re-writes, Edward Norton directed himself in some of his own scenes, such as the campus scenes, to save time, when Louis Leterrier was busy working with the Second Unit. This is mentioned on the Director’s Commentary of the Blu-Ray.
