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The Incredible Hulkdirector, Louis Leterrier, has publicly backed Edward Norton’snon-negotiable demand that the film be more serious in tone. Leterrier claimed that Norton and Marvel Studios had a very tight working relationship, but he also stood up for Norton’s creative input rights, similar to those of Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy films which had a dark and gritty nature.
The Incredible Hulkis a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and it was the second movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe made by Marvel Studios. The film is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner and was a moderate box office success. It brought in $265.5 million in global revenue against a budget of $137.5 million.
Also read:Why Was Edward Norton Replaced as Hulk Despite Being More Bankable Than Robert Downey Jr. Before His Iron Man Success?
Louis Leterrier Defended Edward Norton’s Demand forThe Incredible Hulk
Director Louis Leterrier defended Edward Norton’s non-negotiable demand for the 2008 superhero film,The Incredible Hulkto be dark and gritty, drawing inspiration from Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy movie. Norton, who portrayed Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk, reportedly clashed with Marvel Studios over the film’s creative direction.
Also read:Edward Norton Wanted His Hulk to Go Berserk That Forced Kevin Feige to Fire Him, Wanted a ‘Mellowed’ Green Beast Instead
Marvel apparently wanted a lighter, more action-oriented tone, whereas he wanted something more somber and character-driven, a lot like Nolan’s Batman movies. Leterrier defended his intention for a darker Hulk movie and acknowledged that he understood Norton’s concept in aYouTubeinterview withHappy Sad Confused With Josh Horowitz. During the interview, he said,
“The whole way, everybody was very much in lock step. It just got tense at the end. The end, it was very tense about the tone and the level of humor. Although Edward is very funny, all his friends are comedians and he is an extremely funny guy, he was very right in defending the seriousness of the movie. You have to remember, the mid-2010s ‘The Dark Knight’ had such an impact on superhero movies.”
Leterrier noted that Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy had demonstrated the success of a more serious superhero take, and he believed Norton was trying to achieve something similar with the MCU movie. While Marvel ultimately opted for a more mainstream approach to the movie, Leterrier’s comments imply that Norton’s original plan for the picture had some value.
Many people blamed the actor’s exit from the series after the first movie on creative disputes, and some fans have lamented the unfulfilled potential of Norton’s darker Hulk. Moreover, the film’s critical and commercial reception nosedived compared toIron Man, which opened a month before and only grossed $265.5 million worldwide, a sharp decline fromIron Man’s huge $585 million box office haul.
MCU Scrapped All the Follow-up Plans of Another Hulk Movie
Marvel Studios scrapped all the follow-up plans for another Hulk movie after Edward Norton left the role. Norton’s requests for a more somber and dark Hulk movie apparently infuriated the studio which made the decision to take a different approach. Mark Ruffalo was later cast as Bruce Banner aka Hulk forThe Avengers, and he has since reprised the role in several other MCU films.
Ruffalo’s Hulk is a more easygoing and comedic character than Norton’s and has been well-received by fans. The decision to withhold a second solo Hulk film has never been formally stated by Marvel Studios, but it is assumed that the studio’s desire for a more impulsive Hulk film and Norton’s exit were the primary motivators.
Also read:5 Reasons Why Edward Norton’s Hulk Was Superior to Mark Ruffalo’s Despite MCU’s Recent Success With the Avengers
Marvel may have believed that a separate Hulk franchise wasn’t necessary because the Hulk has consistently been a part of the Avengers. While some fans may be disappointed that they never got to see Norton’s darker Hulk, Ruffalo’s portrayal of the character has been popular, and the Hulk has been a successful part of the MCU.
Although a standalone Hulk film may still be considered by Marvel Studios in the future, for now, the character seems to be better suited for team-ups with the Avengers.
Rajdeep Majumder
Content Writer
Articles Published :674
On top of all things music and pop culture, Rajdeep has a vested interest in the world of film and television. As a dedicated writer, he stays informed about the day-to-day happenings in Hollywood as well as the world of manga. Currently, Rajdeep has accumulated more than 600 published articles on FandomWire under his byline. Looking ahead, he can envision himself leaving a mark in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving world of entertainment journalism.
