The incredible Hulk trailer is out.

[shardian]

movies.ign.com has it for download.

It looks pretty stupid. Why did they even bother to do this movie again?

[abrannan]

Why did they even bother to do this movie again?

Because the first one made money (admittedly, not much money).  Movie franchises never die off until at least one movie after the "bad" one.  That's because the bad one still makes money (people hyped from previous releases in the series go and see it anyway, despite bad reviews), so another one gets the greenlight.  People burned by the bad movie don't go see the one after it, so it's the one that becomes the bad investment, killing the franchise.

See Batman Forever and Batman and Robin for an illustration of this effect.
 

[shardian]

This isn't meant as a sequel. It is made as if the other one never existed.

[somunny]

I've never really been a Hulk fan so this trailer hasn't piqued my curiosity one bit.  Looks pretty lame, IMO.

I think Iron Man has set the bar pretty high as far as summer superhero movies go.

[rotheblog]

I think Avi Arad feels like the public really likes the Hulk character and it can make big money.  I don't personally agree with that idea, The Hulk isn't even in the same league as X-men, Iron Man, or Spiderman, or potentially Daredevil with the right director.  Ang Lee's Hulk in 2003 didn't do that great...but I will go out on a limb and say that I enjoyed it even though I don't know another soul who did. I don't see how this one can be much better....but this is meant to be as if the other one didn't happen, but I have to believe they'll do a little less backstory which might help the new story.  That, and no Nick Nolte, which was the worst part of movie 1.

[abrannan]

This isn't meant as a sequel. It is made as if the other one never existed.

It doesn't matter.  If a "re-imagining" occurs within 5-7 years of the last version, it's looked on by the public (and more importantly, the studios who greenlight these things) as a sequel.  That is to say "We can expect a similar or better return on our investment by making this movie". 

[RayB]

yeah, I'm pretty "why did they bother" about this. And disappointed Ed Norton would take this role.

But then it all changed when I saw them fighting on Toronto's Young street!!   

[somunny]

But then it all changed when I saw them fighting on Toronto's Young street!!   

Oh, they're in Canada?  Maybe we'll see a cameos from The Wolverine or Alpha Flight! 

[ark_ader]

I like the old series better.

[RTSDaddy2]

I like the old series better.

AMEN.  Where's Lou when we need him?

Ed Norton is not believeable as Banner - at least Mr. Bana, from the Ang Lee film, had a believeable Bruce Banner.

I think that's the thing that the Hulk people don't get.  You don't cast for the monster (edit) / hero...you cast for the guy who becomes the hero.  My examples:

Toby Maguire - everybody said "What?" when it was heard he was to be Peter Parker.  Then, when the first film debuts, everybody got it.  They cast for Parker, NOT Spider-Man.

Chris Bale - Bruce Wayne - ditto.

Robert Downey Jr.  - Obviously cast for Tony Stark, not Iron Man - also ditto.

Get it? Got it? Good.   

[patrickl]

I like the old series better.

Ed Norton is not believeable as Banner - at least Mr. Bana, from the Ang Lee film, had a believeable Bruce Banner.

The first thing I thought when I saw Norton as Bruce Banner was that he actually reminded me of the Bruce Banner as played by Bill Bixby. I found Eric Bana more unbelievable as Bruce Banner.

On the other hand, these days Bana could replace Lou Ferigno to play the Hulk

[shmokes]

I'm having a hard time seeing how Ed Norton could possibly have been cast for the Monster.  The monster will be done entirely in CGI and will have no dialogue whatsoever.  He could only have been cast for banner.

[rotheblog]

I liked Bana as Bruce Banner, but he really didn't fit the mark of Bruce from the comics.  Even though I am having a hard time picturing Norton as Banner, he has proved he can be a sniveling whiney loser (Italian Job, Rounders), and his frame in the trailer looks more like Banner from the comics, pretty slender.  Plus he looks tired, disheveled...I don't know, it's all kind of speculation on how it will all work until the film comes out.  But I would agree with the comment that the general public will be confused, thinking this is some sort of sequel.  I don't know how they could successfully refute that in their advertising without taking away from the new movie.

[RTSDaddy2]

I'm having a hard time seeing how Ed Norton could possibly have been cast for the Monster.  The monster will be done entirely in CGI and will have no dialogue whatsoever.  He could only have been cast for banner.

As is typical, I tried to make a point and messed it up, so let me back up and try to explain myself again (this usually happens when I become upset or angry ).

I did not mean to imply I thought they cast Norton for the Hulk, or Bana either.  What I was trying to get at was this....they put SO much damned importance on how good a CGI Hulk will look that they forget to cast a human actor worth a damn to play the Hulk's alter ego.  The other movies, however, did focus on the alter ego first and the troubled soul inside - if you will - that leads to the hero's emergence.

That said, the Hulk does come at things from a completely different angle. Here you do have the little wimp who doesn't really want this power.  Maybe it's just impossible to cast for - but wait, the TV people found Bill Bixby, didn't they?

The first thing I thought when I saw Norton as Bruce Banner was that he actually reminded me of the Bruce Banner as played by Bill Bixby. [/quote]

Each of us is entitled to his opinions here, but I really wish I could see it through your eyes.  (edit) When I look at it, Norton is nowhere - and I mean NOWHERE - near Bixby's Banner.  That's just a pure out insult.

[ChadTower]

AMEN.  Where's Lou when we need him?

Ahnold was the other guy they considered for that part... how freakin' classic would that series be if they had actually cast him?   

[patrickl]

That's just a pure out insult.

Lol, seriously, settle down. It's a trailer!

[RTSDaddy2]

Patrick, if you thought I took it that seriously, you need to back away from that 32nd cup of coffee and relax your own self.  That's what I hate about these damn posts - nobody can tell when I'm biting my tongue to keep from laughing at it myself, partways.  So again, speaking of needing to chill....

Chad, Arnold as Hulk would have been - (this is for all of you who cannot understand my posts)  pardon the pun - incredible.  Really.

[shmokes]

Okay . . . yeah, that makes a lot more sense (about focusing on the monster and not worrying about the alter-ego.  I completely disagree with you, but I can see exactly what you're saying.  In fact, I agree with you in theory.  I just think that Edward Norton is great.  I also have never read Hulk comic books.  And while I LOVED the old Incredible Hulk TV show, I was born in 1978, and I haven't seen the show since it went off the air, so I really have no frame of reference.  I only vaguely remember little snippets of the TV show.  So since I don't really know what Hulk should be, and I think Ed Norton is a great actor, and Ang Lee's film was a garbage can filled with poop, I've got no reason to be anything but happy about this new movie (well . . . except that the director has never made a good movie before, which is actually quite worrisome).

As an aside, if you want to make yourself feel better about Edward Norton, check out a few of his films.  He's really great:

The Score
Primal Fear (the movie is fine, but Norton's performance is excellent)
Fight Club
American History X
The People vs. Larry Flynt

[Bleagh]

I love Bana, but Norton is a superior actor.  I think he will do a good job.  But Bixby will always be the one and only true banner in my eyes.

I really don't see where all the crap that Ang Lee's hulk gets comes from.  I admit the part where he "fights" Nolte's character is lame, but the rest was pretty good.  Felt like a comic book turned into a movie.

Anyhow, I believe that Norton will make this movie great.  I've yet to see him in a movie I didn't like.

[RTSDaddy2]

I'll try and check out Norton's work shmokes-  I must admit I've not seen any of those films, just didn't think much of what I saw in the Hulk trailer. 

Just because I liked Bana also doesn't mean I loved Ang Lee's Hulk.  There were parts of it that were fun, but mostly it was just a mismash of crap. Nick Nolte's character was the biggest waste of talent I've ever seen.

Which brings me to this point: I guess what I was trying to get to ultimately was I do not wish to see another pile of trash masquerading as a Hulk film.  Get it right this time, or stop trying.

[shardian]

I'll try and check out Norton's work shmokes-  I must admit I've not seen any of those films, just didn't think much of what I saw in the Hulk trailer. 

Just because I liked Bana also doesn't mean I loved Ang Lee's Hulk.  There were parts of it that were fun, but mostly it was just a mismash of crap. Nick Nolte's character was the biggest waste of talent I've ever seen.

Which brings me to this point: I guess what I was trying to get to ultimately was I do not wish to see another pile of trash masquerading as a Hulk film.  Get it right this time, or stop trying.

They'll never get it right - it is a waste of time to try. The reasoning is simple, and it requires you to answer one simple question: Who is Hulk's arch nemesis?

Batman had a whole list of hugely definable nemeses, same with Spiderman and Xmen. The villians have always been the defining separation between a good comic adaptation, and a bad one. Hulk just doesn't have a defineable, movie worthy villain. That is why this movie will fail too.

BTW, anyone else think they made the "random guy injected with super drug to fight Hulk" similar to Doomsday?

[patrickl]

Who is Hulk's arch nemesis?
...
Hulk just doesn't have a defineable, movie worthy villain. That is why this movie will fail too.

The Hulk's arch enemy is his conscience. I always felt that was a bit of the beauty of the TV show. Of course the Hulk was cool, but the struggle of Bruce Banner trying to come to terms with his alter ego gave it a human interest.

I'd say the movie fails when they do go looking for an "arch enemy". It's bound to be a forced and "unbelievable" story.

[somunny]

BTW, anyone else think they made the "random guy injected with super drug to fight Hulk" similar to Doomsday?

The enemy in the new Hulk is Abomination, right?  He's been around a lot longer than Doomsday, IIRC.

[shmokes]

Honestly, I liked the rest of the movie well enough.  It was Nick Nolte's monster that ruined it for me.  It was just SOOOOOOOO stupid.  And I love Nick Nolte.  I thought his dog monsters were really lame, too, actually.  But that end business with Nick Nolte's monster was just so, incredibly bad that it ruined anything good about the movie.

[rotheblog]

BTW, anyone else think they made the "random guy injected with super drug to fight Hulk" similar to Doomsday?

The enemy in the new Hulk is Abomination, right?  He's been around a lot longer than Doomsday, IIRC.

Yes, the enemy is the Abomination and he has been around a lot longer than Doomsday.  Check out the information on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abomination_(comics)

Not the strongest villian IMO, not a real relatable villian, just a monster.  Why not use some of the villians from Avengers and build more towards that movie now that Iron Man will be here soon enough and looks awesome...

[ChadTower]

They'll never get it right - it is a waste of time to try. The reasoning is simple, and it requires you to answer one simple question: Who is Hulk's arch nemesis?

The Hulk's nemesis was always his condition and his resentment of it.  The most compelling Hulk storylines in the comic were always around that concept and his neverending quest to cure himself.  Most of the others were about his persecution.  The "superhero" storylines never really worked for him.

[shardian]

The Hulk's nemesis was always his condition and his resentment of it.  The most compelling Hulk storylines in the comic were always around that concept and his neverending quest to cure himself.  Most of the others were about his persecution.  The "superhero" storylines never really worked for him.

I'm trying to figure out if you are arguing with me, or agreeing with me. These are the reasons a big budget blockbuster can't work for Hulk. What is the point of having a larger than life green dude who needs a shrink. They tried that in Ang Lee's film by giving it the "Misunderstood Godzilla" military treatment.

The abomination thing explains that at least. Wikipedia says he will only be referred to as Blonsky in the film. I did find this tidbit interesting:

His skin, muscles and bones become exaggerated, and he can use his spine and bones sticking out of his elbows and heels as weapons.

So they did indeed rip off Doomsday for the movie. If Hulk kills Abomination by breaking off his exterior bones, then the rip-off will be complete.

[ChadTower]

I'm trying to figure out if you are arguing with me, or agreeing with me.

It doesn't have to be either one.  Not all posts are "you're wrong" or "you're right".  Sometimes people just make comments.   

These are the reasons a big budget blockbuster can't work for Hulk. What is the point of having a larger than life green dude who needs a shrink. They tried that in Ang Lee's film by giving it the "Misunderstood Godzilla" military treatment.

What is the point of having a movie about a regular person who needs a shrink?  People go to see those.  There is a concept here - an outside the box drama.  They don't all have to be over the top action movies.  The movies have sucked because the Hulk isn't a hero, not a villian, and he's not interested in being anything other than left alone.

[shmokes]

I get the impression from the trailer that the Hulk is definitely gonna be a hero in this movie.  It looks like Banner is all happy to have Hulk under control, but then he sees that big rhino-looking guy and says, "Someone's got to do something, and I'm the only one who can do it."  This sounds an awful lot like the great powers/great responsibility philosophy to me.  Banner's going to deliberately turn into Hulk to defend the people.  It doesn't get much more superheroey than that.

[RTSDaddy2]

Early on I questioned the casting of Norton as Banner....I take it all back, based on this.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2081134080/tt0800080

Now, I'm sure I'm gonna get it over this, but hear me out.  If Norton can pull that look of
"do I turn it loose again, or keep it inside me?  I feel trapped"  on a damn poster, then I absolutely cannot wait to see the film.

Do you see in the eyes (what you can make out of them), the lowered head, etc...what  I've been talking about?  Bill Bixby had that look down pat....now it appears Norton does too.  I'm very impressed.

The Hulk's nemesis was always his condition and his resentment of it.  The most compelling Hulk storylines in the comic were always around that concept and his neverending quest to cure himself.  Most of the others were about his persecution.  The "superhero" storylines never really worked for him.

Chad, that's it man - you just hit the nail on the head - and in that poster, you see him struggling with it.  Dad gum I hope it's as good as advertised.

[patrickl]

I actually said something similar, 5 posts before that too.

The Hulk's arch enemy is his conscience. I always felt that was a bit of the beauty of the TV show. Of course the Hulk was cool, but the struggle of Bruce Banner trying to come to terms with his alter ego gave it a human interest.

I'd say the movie fails when they do go looking for an "arch enemy". It's bound to be a forced and "unbelievable" story.

I felt Norton did have the "I feel trapped" look in the trailer, but granted it's only a few seconds of footage so it's hardly possible to determine the actual performance. I like him as an actor, but he does always act a bit similar. It's usually a "I'm sort of cool or at least I want to be, but somehow life took a dump on me" type role. Which really should fit here.

Lets hope we finally get a good comic book movie.

[Dartful Dodger]

It looks like it could be good.

patrickl,  Isn't around 1am by you.  It's Friday night you should be passed out  our well on your way by now.

[somunny]

What I got from an article in the current Entertainment Weekly is that Norton is a big pain in the ass on the set and is now refusing to promote the movie due to creative differences.  Hey, I think he's a great actor but get out there and tap-dance like everybody else.  Negative press like this is not what a "do-over" movie needs.

[RTSDaddy2]

I hated to bring this up again, but with release date about a week away, I just saw something at IMDB.com that amazed me.  Lou Ferrigno was hired to do the "voice" (if you will) of this Hulk.  He also plays a security guard in this film.

Well, hot damn!  Another reason there may still be hope for it yet.  I also saw somewhere (I don't think I posted this earlier) where the film will end with the piano solo from the original TV series.  With the glowing green eyes prior to changing back in place, if nothing else the movie has the promise of being a very nice tip of the cap to the original and the best.

   

Was in Best Buy the other day to find volumes 3 and 4 of the TV series out on DVD.  I have a few of them taped around the house here as well (back when Sci-Fi was running the old series in the early morning).  It really is amazing how well the series holds up after all these years.  It was primarily, of course, Bixby's unreal ability to flesh out a character like Banner and make him believeable, that seals that deal.  It was also the fact that there were very few weak scripts being written for it at the time.

Ok, stepping down now.... sorry bout that. 

[AtomSmasher]

I hated to bring this up again, but with release date about a week away, I just saw something at IMDB.com that amazed me.  Lou Ferrigno was hired to do the "voice" (if you will) of this Hulk.  He also plays a security guard in this film.

I saw the director interviewed a few days ago and he was talking about this.  Apparently he approached Lou while he was filming the security guard scenes about doing the voice.  It's definitely the perfect choice   

Also, he said theres a ton of little things fans of the comics and series will pick up on, similar to the recent Iron Man movie.  Apparently even Captain America shows up somewhere in the movie as well (Similar to the Capt. America shield in Iron Man.  I'm guessing there will probably be a picture of him on a government officials wall or something since I doubt they'll actually have him running around in the background)

[bishmasterb]

It's simple math:

Jennifer Connelly = amazing

Hulk + Jennifer Connelly = suck

Solve for Hulk. You'll find it equals something less than suck.