Louis Leterrier, the director behind the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk,” starring Edward Norton, recently unveiled fascinating insights into the shelved sequel’s grand vision.
Speaking exclusively to ComicBook.com, Leterrier shared tantalizing details about the potential sequel that would have expanded the Marvel character’s universe by introducing various incarnations of the Hulk.
Leterrier enthusiastically revealed, “We had a whole sequel planned out with incredible concepts, including Grey Hulk and Red Hulks.
There was a treasure trove of exciting material we were gearing up to explore.”
In subsequent films, Mark Ruffalo seamlessly assumed the role of Bruce Banner/Hulk, beginning with 2012’s “The Avengers.” Regrettably, the storyline from the 2008 film didn’t form a part of the character’s evolving narrative.
(It’s worth noting that Eric Bana and Lou Ferrigno also contributed to the character’s legacy in different adaptations.)
Navigating the intricate rights to the character adds an interesting layer to the tale.
Universal Pictures currently holds the rights to produce standalone Hulk films, predating Disney’s Marvel Studios acquisition in 2009.
This arrangement grants Universal the right of first refusal for any solo Hulk movie distributions.
However, the Hulk character is free to make appearances in other Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters’ movies, contributing to the character’s presence in various films and even the Disney+ series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.”
Leterrier explained, “Hulk is an intricate figure within the Marvel Universe. There’s the primal, rage-filled Hulk we all love.
But then you have Grey Hulk and Smart Hulk, which shifts the tone to a more lighthearted direction.”
Discussing his creative vision, Leterrier, known for his recent work on “Fast X,” emphasized that the Hulk portrayed in the current movie landscape significantly differs from the character he aspired to delve into.
“The Hulk you see now is a far cry from what I intended to explore.I wanted to delve into the depths of his consciousness and take my time with it. However, in this fast-paced world of many characters, patience can be a rarity.”
In the midst of these revelations, the possibility of seeing the Red Hulk on the big screen has ignited fervent speculation.
Could Harrison Ford’s character, Thunderbolt Ross, transform into the formidable Red Hulk in “Captain America: New World Order”? Additionally, there’s buzz around Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross taking on her own unique mantle as Red She-Hulk.
When queried about these intriguing possibilities, Ford maintained an air of mystery, responding with a coy, “What is the Red Hulk?”
Leterrier’s revelations offer a tantalizing glimpse into the road not taken for the Hulk’s cinematic journey.
While fans may never witness the sequel’s potential unfold on-screen, the legacy of the Hulk continues to evolve and captivate audiences through various iterations within the expansive Marvel Universe.
