20 facts you might not know about 'Hulk'

Yardbarker

20 facts you might not know about 'Hulk'

Chris Morgan

Posted: May 21, 2024 | Last updated: May 21, 2024

<p>Before there was the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there were Marvel movies. Before Mark Ruffalo was the Incredible Hulk, there was <em>Hulk</em>. It’s a standout film among superhero movies, but why? How did this bizarre, contemplative story about unresolved family issues — and a giant green monster man — come to fruition? Throw on some purple pants and enjoy these 20 facts you might not know about <em>Hulk</em>.</p>

Universal

20 facts you might not know about 'Hulk'

Before there was the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there were Marvel movies. Before Mark Ruffalo was the Incredible Hulk, there was Hulk. It’s a standout film among superhero movies, but why? How did this bizarre, contemplative story about unresolved family issues — and a giant green monster man — come to fruition? Throw on some purple pants and enjoy these 20 facts you might not know about Hulk.

<p>In 1990, the last <em>Incredible Hulk</em> TV movie based on the 1970s show aired. That same year, producers Avi Arad and Gale Anne Hurd started developing a movie featuring the Marvel character as well. It ended up at Universal in 1992, and stayed there throughout the production process.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_best_tv_shows_that_lasted_only_one_season_030624/s1__29844374'>The best TV shows that lasted only one season</a></p>

Universal

The project began over a decade before the movie came out

In 1990, the last Incredible Hulk TV movie based on the 1970s show aired. That same year, producers Avi Arad and Gale Anne Hurd started developing a movie featuring the Marvel character as well. It ended up at Universal in 1992, and stayed there throughout the production process.

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<p>Marvel’s Stan Lee and screenwriter Michael France were brought on to work on <em>Hulk</em> early in the process. France was given the chance to write the script. Universal pitched the idea of having the Hulk fight terrorists, but France rejected that concept.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

The first writer didn’t like Universal’s idea

Marvel’s Stan Lee and screenwriter Michael France were brought on to work on Hulk early in the process. France was given the chance to write the script. Universal pitched the idea of having the Hulk fight terrorists, but France rejected that concept.

<p>France came and went, and John Turman, a writer who was a fan of the Hulk comics from back in the day, was brought on. Turman gave the script a pass, and then several more. Ultimately, Turman would write 10 drafts of <em>Hulk</em>. While Universal didn’t like any of his scripts enough to green light, elements from his story made it all the way until the end product.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_best_sophomore_albums_of_all_time_022224/s1__37691963'>The best sophomore albums of all time</a></p>

Universal

One writer then did a ton of passes on the script

France came and went, and John Turman, a writer who was a fan of the Hulk comics from back in the day, was brought on. Turman gave the script a pass, and then several more. Ultimately, Turman would write 10 drafts of Hulk. While Universal didn’t like any of his scripts enough to green light, elements from his story made it all the way until the end product.

<p>While a script wasn’t locked in, <em>Hulk </em>found itself a director in Joe Johnston. He didn’t last on the project very long, though. Johnston was hired in April 1997 and dropped out in July 1997 to director <em>October Sky</em>.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

The first director dropped out

While a script wasn’t locked in, Hulk found itself a director in Joe Johnston. He didn’t last on the project very long, though. Johnston was hired in April 1997 and dropped out in July 1997 to director October Sky.

<p>Jonathan Hensleigh — then the husband of Hurd — was originally brought on the project as a producer. When Johnston was hired, Hensleigh was given a chance to take a pass at the screenplay because he had worked on Johnston’s hit<em> Jumanji</em>. After Johnston dropped out, though, Hensleigh pitched himself to direct, and he was able to get the role…for a while.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/notable_music_artists_who_play_multiple_instruments_quite_well_032924/s1__39216248'>Notable music artists who play multiple instruments quite well</a></p>

Universal

One of the screenwriters almost directed

Jonathan Hensleigh — then the husband of Hurd — was originally brought on the project as a producer. When Johnston was hired, Hensleigh was given a chance to take a pass at the screenplay because he had worked on Johnston’s hit Jumanji. After Johnston dropped out, though, Hensleigh pitched himself to direct, and he was able to get the role…for a while.

<p>Zak Penn was given a pass on the <em>Hulk</em> script once Hensleigh was signed on as the director. He didn’t end up with a credit, but he would make good use of his time on <em>Hulk</em>. Penn has a "story by" credit on 2008’s <em>The Incredible Hulk</em>, and a couple ideas from his <em>Hulk</em> script ended up in <em>The Incredible Hulk</em> as well.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

A writer would get a second crack at Hulk later

Zak Penn was given a pass on the Hulk script once Hensleigh was signed on as the director. He didn’t end up with a credit, but he would make good use of his time on Hulk. Penn has a "story by" credit on 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and a couple ideas from his Hulk script ended up in The Incredible Hulk as well.

<p>After years of preproduction, in 1997, Hensleigh decided to write an entirely new script. In this version, Bruce Banner does some experiments on three convicts, turning them into insect men. This was the version that was going to end up in production with Hensleigh as the director.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_20_best_songs_with_a_city_in_their_name_022224/s1__38386408'>The 20 best songs with a city in their name</a></p>

Universal

The project went back to square one

After years of preproduction, in 1997, Hensleigh decided to write an entirely new script. In this version, Bruce Banner does some experiments on three convicts, turning them into insect men. This was the version that was going to end up in production with Hensleigh as the director.

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<p>Hensleigh and J.J. Abrams did a pass on the screenplay. Then, the team of Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski took a crack at it. In December 1997, Hensleigh’s production of <em>Hulk</em> was going to begin filming in Arizona, with a release date set for summer of 1999.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

Yes, more writers took a pass on the script

Hensleigh and J.J. Abrams did a pass on the screenplay. Then, the team of Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski took a crack at it. In December 1997, Hensleigh’s production of Hulk was going to begin filming in Arizona, with a release date set for summer of 1999.

Universal

Um, that movie never happened

Pretty much immediately, Universal pushed the start date back on Hulk. They then put the movie on hiatus in March 1998, worried about the budget and getting cold feet about Hensleigh directing. Hensleigh took a pass at writing a script that would have a lower budget. However, Hensleigh suddenly found himself burnt out. Tired of rewriting the script and calling his film preproduction a “wasted nine months,” Hensleigh dropped out of the project.

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Universal

The return of Michael France

After Hensleigh dropped out, France was brought back once again to tackle the script. He found the process frustrating, saying that Universal’s brass were split on whether or not the movie would be a sci-fi action film or a comedy. France has even said that he heard Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey were being bandied about to star.

<p>After another couple screenwriters took a shot, Ang Lee was brought on to direct. He brought his producing partner James Schamus with him. Lee did not like any of the scripts he was seeing, so he had Schamus write yet another version. Lee cited many different influences for his movie, including <em>King Kong</em>, <em>Frankenstein</em>, <em>Faust</em>, and Greek mythology.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20th_century_sitcoms_that_are_still_in_our_regular_rotation/s1__39345263'>20th-century sitcoms that are still in our regular rotation</a></p>

Universal

Finally, the movie found its director

After another couple screenwriters took a shot, Ang Lee was brought on to direct. He brought his producing partner James Schamus with him. Lee did not like any of the scripts he was seeing, so he had Schamus write yet another version. Lee cited many different influences for his movie, including King Kong, Frankenstein, Faust, and Greek mythology.

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<p>Schamus made a play to get solo credit on the screenplay after all this chaos. Of course, the Writers Guild of America has a say in arbitrating these decisions. Somebody had to read all the scripts to help decide who would get credit. The person who did that for<em> Hulk</em>? None other than Michael France. In the end, Schamus, France, and Turman would share credit.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

France played another role in the film

Schamus made a play to get solo credit on the screenplay after all this chaos. Of course, the Writers Guild of America has a say in arbitrating these decisions. Somebody had to read all the scripts to help decide who would get credit. The person who did that for Hulk? None other than Michael France. In the end, Schamus, France, and Turman would share credit.

<p>Several actors were bandied about to play Banner, and also the Hulk. Tom Cruise and Billy Crudup apparently both turned down the role. So did Edward Norton, who reportedly didn’t like the script. Notably, Norton would end up playing Banner in 2008’s <em>The Incredible Hulk</em>.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_25_best_video_games_with_the_best_romanceable_characters/s1__38655788'>The 25 best video games with the best romanceable characters</a></p>

Universal

A few actors turned down the role of Bruce Banner

Several actors were bandied about to play Banner, and also the Hulk. Tom Cruise and Billy Crudup apparently both turned down the role. So did Edward Norton, who reportedly didn’t like the script. Notably, Norton would end up playing Banner in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.

<p>When Eric Bana was hired to play Banner, he was not an expected choice. The Australian actor was unknown in America. He was starting to get some buzz for starring in the Australian film <em>Chopper</em>, which Lee had seen. In fact, <em>Chopper</em> is why Lee hired Bana. This came after Bana almost landed another comic book role. Bana had lost out to Nicolas Cage to play Ghost Rider.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

An unknown actor ended up in the role

When Eric Bana was hired to play Banner, he was not an expected choice. The Australian actor was unknown in America. He was starting to get some buzz for starring in the Australian film Chopper, which Lee had seen. In fact, Chopper is why Lee hired Bana. This came after Bana almost landed another comic book role. Bana had lost out to Nicolas Cage to play Ghost Rider.

<p>At one point, Bruce Banner’s father and the character The Absorbing Man were both in the film. However, Lee decided he would simplify matters by combining the character. Banner’s father, played by Nick Nolte, was given the powers of The Absorbing Man in the movie.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_25_greatest_spoof_movies_of_all_time_022224/s1__39118441'>The 25 greatest spoof movies of all time</a></p>

Universal

Two characters were combined into one

At one point, Bruce Banner’s father and the character The Absorbing Man were both in the film. However, Lee decided he would simplify matters by combining the character. Banner’s father, played by Nick Nolte, was given the powers of The Absorbing Man in the movie.

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<p>In the comics, the Hulk is Bruce Banner. In the 1970s TV show, though, his name was changed to David Banner. Purportedly, this was because Bruce was considered too “effete” of a name. In a nod to the show, Nolte’s character is named David Banner.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

Bruce’s father’s name is a nod to the TV show

In the comics, the Hulk is Bruce Banner. In the 1970s TV show, though, his name was changed to David Banner. Purportedly, this was because Bruce was considered too “effete” of a name. In a nod to the show, Nolte’s character is named David Banner.

<p>Mychael Danna, who had done composer work on Lee’s films in the past, was given the role of providing the score for <em>Hulk</em>. Lee wanted a non-traditional superhero movie score, and Danna provided one, using African drumming, Arabic singing, and Japanese influences as well. This was too much for the studio, who rejected the score. They then brought in heavy hitter Danny Elfman, who liked Danna’s work and used some of it in his own score anyway.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/21_of_country_musics_greatest_voices/s1__38994195'>21 of country music's greatest voices</a></p>

Universal

The original composer lost the job

Mychael Danna, who had done composer work on Lee’s films in the past, was given the role of providing the score for Hulk. Lee wanted a non-traditional superhero movie score, and Danna provided one, using African drumming, Arabic singing, and Japanese influences as well. This was too much for the studio, who rejected the score. They then brought in heavy hitter Danny Elfman, who liked Danna’s work and used some of it in his own score anyway.

<p>People were excited for a Hulk movie! The film made $62.1 million domestically in its opening weekend, a new June record at the time. It then proceeded to drop a staggering 70 percent in its second weekend, which was also a record for a film that made over $20 million. Audiences and critics proved torn on the film, and it has a 62 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. <em>Hulk</em> would end up making $254.4 million worldwide off of a budget of $137 million, which counts as a disappointment for a big movie like this.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Universal

The film proved divisive

People were excited for a Hulk movie! The film made $62.1 million domestically in its opening weekend, a new June record at the time. It then proceeded to drop a staggering 70 percent in its second weekend, which was also a record for a film that made over $20 million. Audiences and critics proved torn on the film, and it has a 62 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Hulk would end up making $254.4 million worldwide off of a budget of $137 million, which counts as a disappointment for a big movie like this.

<p>When Bana signed on to play Banner and Hulk, he signed a three-picture deal. During product on <em>Hulk</em>, a 2005 release for a sequel was being considered, and Schamus started working on a script, which would have featured the villain the Abomination. In the end, though, Universal never moved forward with a sequel.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_20_best_improvised_lines_in_tv_history_111323/s1__39005911'>The 20 best improvised lines in TV history</a></p>

Universal

A planned sequel was nixed

When Bana signed on to play Banner and Hulk, he signed a three-picture deal. During product on Hulk, a 2005 release for a sequel was being considered, and Schamus started working on a script, which would have featured the villain the Abomination. In the end, though, Universal never moved forward with a sequel.

<p>As we’ve alluded to, there was a new Hulk movie in 2008. This one was attached to the MCU. Gone were Bana and Lee, with Norton starring and Louis Leterrier directing. However, Norton lived up to his reputation as being, um, “highly opinionated” about the moviemaking process. As such, when Hulk was brought back for <em>The Avengers</em>, Norton had been replaced by Mark Ruffalo. In July 2021, Bana explained to <em>Vulture </em>why <em>Hulk </em>frustrated him and why he'd never want to revisit the character.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Disney

Hulk would get a revamp

As we’ve alluded to, there was a new Hulk movie in 2008. This one was attached to the MCU. Gone were Bana and Lee, with Norton starring and Louis Leterrier directing. However, Norton lived up to his reputation as being, um, “highly opinionated” about the moviemaking process. As such, when Hulk was brought back for The Avengers, Norton had been replaced by Mark Ruffalo. In July 2021, Bana explained to Vulture why Hulk frustrated him and why he'd never want to revisit the character.

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