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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
Yeah, let it out…we wouldn’t want Brian to get angry.
I agree w/him though–Liv Tyler was a drag on this one. Casting her 4 Betty & Hulk not terminating Abomination was what gave it “A-” in my book, instead of “A+”.
Ang Lee’s Hulk will remain “B” for me, though. I really enjoyed his angry child fighting style w/the dogs & army, especially after waiting 2/3rds thru film before he turned.
–Godspeed–
that’s okay marvel boy let the pain out
John, I love Ang Lee but come on, Hulk is not a ninja. He fights like Superman, who doesn’t duck. They both fight like heavyweight boxers. I’m going to hit you as hard as I can, you’re going to hit me as hard as you can.
Repeat the process until one of us falls over unconscious. I don’t think Ang Lee made a bad film. Had I been writing reviews at the time, I’d have given it a B.
But it’s not a good Hulk film. It’s a shame that because Hulk wasn’t well received, Ang won’t get to do a film like Iron Fist or Daredevil where wire-fu would be completely appropriate.
And as David mentioned it was really soon. For a sequel that’s acceptable but however Marvel meant the movie to be taken, if you change the director and the entire cast people consider it a remake.
That would be like somebody remaking the Lord of the Rings and releasing it next year. Everybody would be wondering what the heck happened. I thought Bana, Jennifer Connelly and especially Sam Elliott were all great. Ed Norton and William Hurt are hard to argue against but Liv Tyler replacing Jennifer was really pointless.
As we know, sometimes good movies don’t make the money we’d hoped. I think this is a way better take on Hulk, but it will turn about the same profit.
There are also the problem of Hulk’s villains. Army in the first movie, Abomination in the second and they had set up Leader for the third. After that you’re out of decent Hulk enemies. Who next, the U-Foes? Man, this comment turned into a post, sorry.
David, yeah I was getting similar questions. The big one was is it a remake or a sequel and until about May I couldn’t tell them.
Marvel didn’t do enough pre pub for this one either I don’t think. I mean how long have we known about Iron Man? There was much more buzz and much bigger box office.
Even Marvel seemed to be overly cautious about this movie, so you can’t expect much fan reaction if the company doesn’t act like they’re excited.
don’t act like you didn’t like the wire-fu. MAN, one day they love you the next they don’t. Bunch of flip-floppers(thanks K. Rove).I know you love ang lee.
I think the reason is people were apathetic or cautious after the last Hulk movie. Someone asked me at work: “So why ARE they making another one?”. Plus it’s a crowded summer so some things are going to get pushed aside easily. I talked about it on my blog here:
http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2008/07/reports-say-the-incredible-hul.html
If Ang Lee gives the middle finger, it’s at a 360 degree angle with orchestral music playing right? Wire finger-fu!
there is only one Hulk for the fans and that is late and great Bill Bixby. I did not go see this nor did i want to. I like the Ang Lee, I hope he is sitting at home giving a big middle finger to the fans that pan him.