Should Hollywood make another standalone Hulk movie?

Alger Alama

I, like most of you who are avid fans of the angry green giant, know the answer to this. Hollywood definitely should make another one and here’s why. It’s 2012 and it’s post Avengers. It’s a new generation of movie goers now. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably been living under a rock or need to stop playing MMOs for a while. A little over a decade ago, you’d notice at that time, people didn’t have the over excitement about superhero movies as we do today. Even our beloved Dark Knight was nowhere to be found. All thanks to Schumacher’s “Bat nipples” and overuse of the entire color spectrum in his films. It was like The World of Color threw up on Batman. However I digress, Batman and DC Comics are another story. Anyways, as these respective movie companies with Marvel licenses released fairly decent movies (I use that term lightly) one after another, whether it was purposefully or not, they created a constant expectation from us. The expectation being, “Why did they choose/do XYZ for this film? Will the next movie be better?”. Believe it or not, this is still happening even today… cough Wolverine cough.

Ultimate Hulk vs. Ultimate Wolverine
(picture MARVEL.COM all rights reserved)

As for our expectations for another Hulk movie, I believe we are all ready. Mistakes were made with the previous standalone Hulk movies, especially with Hulk’s daddy issues in 2003, however most of these were finally cleaned up during the last reboot and with the Avengers. In addition Hulk’s popularity has soared tremendously within the general public and fans alike. The green guy not only stole the show in The Avengers, but he had the best scenes. That statement may sound a little biased, because it is. Hulk was the game changer. Just ask Loki…

Looks like Loki is speechless. Let’s move on…

So why another Hulk movie even after the Avengers? Well in a nutshell, there are two story arcs that changed the world of Marvel forever. The first one was: The Civil War. Basically, without major spoilers, this was a bloody fight between two sides of heroes who fought for and against the registration act set forth by the United States Government. Captain America lead the non-registered heroes versus Iron Man and the registered heroes, which caused major casualties on both sides. Kevin Feige the President of Marvel has hinted at perhaps going down that route with the Marvel movies. The second is: World War Hulk. In this arc, Hulk returns to earth to take on ALL of the heroes responsible for shooting him into space. This is the angriest that I’ve personally read the Hulk at, and he doesn’t flinch when he exacts his retribution on the major characters. It takes all of the heroes to work together to try and take him down. If Marvel can do it, and I think they can, at least one of the six films that Mark Ruffalo has signed up for should set him up for Planet Hulk (The prelude to World War Hulk). I suggest you go pick up the complete graphic novels or Wiki it. You will not be disappointed.

Big green deserves his own standalone now more than ever. The Hulk is both a simple and complex character. The basic human need to find inner peace coupled with the need to let loose with no restrictions. This is what makes the Hulk a great character piece for a balance of drama and action on the big screen. Also, who wouldn’t want to see Hulk smash again?

Alger Alama

Highly sociable and having been entrenched in Nerd\Geekdom since he was a kid, Alger has seen it all. During his spare time he loves to go out clubbing, sing karaoke, and attend parties. This Nerd is no wallflower. He’ll always greet you with a warm smile and a drink in hand.

http://www.facebook.com/joeyguziejka Joseph Guziejka

Good Article. I too would love to see a live action version of Planet Hulk, they probably need to do a movie beforehand where the Hulk gets mind controlled or something and then destroys New York (or something, I forget what they did, why they sent him to space). It sounds like you were not much of a fan of Norton’s Incredible Hulk, I enjoyed it, but it was no Avengers.
- http://www.facebook.com/alger.alama Alger Alama
  
  Thanks Joey! I actually liked the Norton Hulk from 2008. Although, once Avengers came out, nothing compared to Ruffalo’s Hulk. The problem that I had with Norton’s Hulk was that he wasn’t complete. He didn’t have the healing factor and the super jump. Louis Leterrier the director, kept it too close to the TV version.
  - http://www.facebook.com/joeyguziejka Joseph Guziejka
    
    LOL, I didn’t even notice he couldn’t do those things. And I don’t remember anything from the old TV show, except that Lou was big, painted green and in a funny wig.
http://twitter.com/Alienxphile Stephen N.

I was never really a fan of The Hulk. Yes he was fantastic in the Avengers and I thought, I will give him another shot. I re-watched Hulk and The Incredible Hulk and re-read some of the comics and again, he just wasn’t that great to me. I want to like him, I really do. I would love for them to make another Hulk film and hopefully he is as good as he was in The Avengers.
- http://www.facebook.com/alger.alama Alger Alama
  
  I would highly suggest reading Planet Hulk. It shows a side of the Hulk other than a mindless beast of destruction.
  - http://twitter.com/Alienxphile Stephen N.
    
    Funny you should say that, I just borrowed Planet Hulk from a friend.
http://www.facebook.com/rayfield.angrum Rayfield Angrum

Yes, make another Hulk film!! Just Stop limiting the character!! First of all he Must Talk!!! And I don’t mean with limited “Hulk Smash!” dialog! Hulk has a Wide vocabulary as shown as far back as the first issue of His comic book long before the live action TV show!! He really shouldn’t just roar grunt all the time, while Other characters still sound intelligent! Like the Abomination, The Lizard in the Amazing Spiderman! And a few other creatures in other fims in a Really give him Character and purpose rather than just being an engine of destruction! The Incredible Hulk movie misses the mark on this. Sorry Lou, I like your work but that movie fell short. I challenging everyone who was introduced to the Hulk through the 70′s live action TV show, to think much broader and let the big guy talk! So with the right script and honestly some actual Michael Bay level type action sequences, then we’ll have more enjoyable Hulk film. I’m not saying Bay should direct it, but the action in a Hulk film, should be just as spectacular as in Bay’s movies! When we see the Hulk and the Abomination fight, we should see sky scrapers collapse and city blocks destroyed!
- http://www.facebook.com/alger.alama Alger Alama
  
  Your enthusiasm = Golden!
http://www.facebook.com/themeandm Jason Miltenberger

Planet Hulk / World War Hulk

Absolutely!
http://twitter.com/JNothstein LBJ Better Than Kobe

I don’t get why hulk isn’t loved more. I will admit that the direction the comics have been going haven’t been great. But his raw power is so fun to watch. In 2008, edward norton playing the Hulk was amazing to me. That movie is the one movie i can honestly go back and watch time and time again and never get bored. I probably rate it as my third favorite marvel movie (behind avengers and iron man 1). Not sure why i would be in the minority b/c that movie truly did rock. Mark Ruffalo brings something different to the table though. I can see him being even more likeable than edward norton. I think they can definitely do something. And i could care less if the deviate from the comics.
- http://www.facebook.com/alger.alama Alger Alama
  
  Haha…even though I disagree with your screen name, I agree with with your comment. Here’s to hoping that they do push for it soon!
Phantom-Blooper

The Hulk is best when used as a wrecking ball. People identify with the Hulk through his anger. Everyone wishes that when they got pissed they could destroy everything in their path. Other than that there’s not a lot to the Hulk. I know their is different versions and all the crazy story lines, but nothing to connect too through a movie. The best they could do with the Hulk is work him into the other movies as a side character. Have Banner working for Stark, using the Hulk to test Iron Man’s armor against. Great way to work in the Hulkbuster suit. Or have the Winter Soldier cause Banner to go berserk and Cap has to stop him in the new Captain movie. Something along those lines. Just not another boring Hulk movie. He deserves better.
- http://www.facebook.com/alger.alama Alger Alama
  
  I think with a great script, they can balance it out. Let’s believe in the screeplay, Phantom-Blooper!
- Agt_Pendergast
  
  I agree, he’s better as a side character. Can’t say I know everything about the Hulk, but everything I’ve seen of the Hulk makes it seem very predictable what will happen in any movie he stars in. He’ll get overwhelmed by some enemy, then he’ll get angrier until he’s strong enough to beat that enemy.
Bad Cupcake

I grew up on the Incredible Hulk tv series, so I know there is plenty of tale to tell about Bruce Banner (although they changed his name to David Banner for the series, ffs). I think they keep concentrating on the wrong aspects of Hulk, myself, and I didn’t really like the other two movies much at all. I think Planet Hulk and World War Hulk should be done, not as continuations of the other two films, but as their own trilogy – but only if Mark Ruffalo is on board. ;D
- http://www.facebook.com/alger.alama Alger Alama
  
  Marvel is pretty much building their cinematic universe to be as close to their 616 Universe as possible. They’re pretty much going to run with what they have now. Although if they do make a Planet Hulk, I wouldn’t mind if they swapped out Silver Surfer (Since Fox doesn’t want to let go of the rights) with Beta Ray Bill, just like the cartoon, or with another cosmic being. Planet Hulk would be EPIC.

Should Hollywood make another standalone Hulk movie?

Nerd Reactor TV

Recent Posts