Like several people here and on other sites the news of The Incredible Hulk returning to our screens left us with mixed feelings. Recapturing the success of the original series and giving us more time with Bruce Banner and his green alter ego is great but at the cost of TV show budget CGI and being disconnected from the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe left people uneasy.
At these thoughts, I found myself becoming very negative toward this idea of a Hulk TV show. However, after reading a few comments from other CBMers (including but not exclusive to "SkylerMystwood") and rereading information given to us by Marvel Studio's president of production, Kevin Feige, and others, I found myself considering whether this wasn't always just part of the plan.
During the development of 2008's The Incredible Hulk, Marvel refereed to Ang Lee's film was like a parallel universe one-shot comic book, and their next film needed to be, in Kevin Feige's words, "really starting the Marvel Hulk franchise". We all just assumed this meant film franchises, or more specifically Avengers film franchise, but what if it was more than that. He later stated that the film met Marvel's expectations and that Hulk will return, but after the crossover.
Tim Roth, who played Emil Blonsky/The Abomination, confirmed that Marvel has made overtures to him about reprising the role in the future, during a group interview at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
"They have, but in a very different way, I don't want to get into it, but they signed me up for three." what the interviewer took to mean films and when asked what that could include Roth said in response
"It could be anything".
Another contributing factor may be in the design of 2008's The Incredible Hulk.
The fact they based the origin around the original TV show, was it just because they believed the general audience knew this origin better, was it because the director and stars were fans of the original or was it more than that, was it because they envisioned this movie to be the first chapter in something alot bigger.
On the subject of The Incredible Hulk's opening credits, it did also leave a large unexplored area where Bruce Banner is on the run from General Ross while trying to find a cure, which has proved to be perfect for television.
Though if it is to feature Tim Roth it would have to be set either between 2008's film and The Avengers or after the team film. Though afterward you'd think Hulk would be too busy with The Avengers unless he doesn't join them.
As for cost, if all the Hulk character designs and animations exist and marvel owns them can it use the pre-existing effects already set up? if so then that would surely lower the cost of the TV show.
And another question would have to be asked of actor Mark Ruffalo, who is set to take the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers, is he willing to do a TV show or will they get another new Banner. That i cant answer.
Maybe im just looking to much into this but maybe, just maybe there is in fact something in this.
Share your views below.