Will he or won’t he? Louis Leterrier’s “The Incredible Hulk” did so poorly from a personnel perspective (and financially only did just slightly better than Ang Lee’s supposed “Hulk” bomb) that the status of the Hulk in Marvel’s 2012-ish “The Avengers” film has been in question ever since, leaving comic-book film nerds in a bit of huff.
Well, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has apparently now confirmed that the Hulk will appear in the super-team picture. According to SFX Magazine [via WorldOfSuperheroes via Collider]:
“Its fun now and we are introducing some new characters in these films…But its not about cramming in lots of new people…that’s sort of the cardinal sin of the sequel, adding too many characters….My only concern is that when we launch a franchise…whichever character’s franchise that may be, it should stand on its own two feet. With Iron Man being the first one out of the gate, thank goodness that’s what happened. Everyone loved it. Its our job to do the same with Thor and Captain America two years from now, so by the time The Avengers comes in 2012 its not just a team super hero movie with a bunch of characters with powers, its three people, four including Hulk, five including Nick Fury-who you have seen before in other movies, coming together for the very first time.”
To recap, ‘Hulk’ star Ed Norton and Marvel Studios locked horns a few months before the release of the picture: he was allegedly locked out of the editing room and his cut of the film was apparently tossed aside (and writer Zak Penn knocked Norton for trying to steal too much credit for his rewrites). Feelings were hurt, bad blood coagulated, etc. (Norton had to come out with a statement to downplay the fracas, but he also barely did any press for the movie). The rumors of friction over the film’s narrative however, seemed accurate since the green monster film felt bifurcated. The opening half of “The Incredible Hulk” was great, character-driven and far better than anyone expected it to be and the second half (not Norton’s), became a silly, action free-for all (especially that terrible third act).
After that imbroglio, the relationship between Norton and Marvel had soured to a point that both parties assumed he wouldn’t be back for another film and if they’d want to continue with the character, they’d have to reboot the series for a third time. But time has passed and in Hollywood, grievances are always eventually semi-forgotten (though perhaps never actually forgiven). Last we all heard, Norton sounded like he’d be game, but would he appear in “The Avengers” film or would it just be the CGI monster? No word and probably too early to tell.
The Hulk character was also rumored to be a villain in “The Avengers” film, but Marvel heads have either flipped flopped, acted non-committal or failed to confirm if the character would appear in the picture or not, but it sounds like they’ve finally decided that he will be there.
Also Feige talked Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor” and Marvel’s apparently not worried that the film might come off corny or not fit in with the rest of “The Avengers” universe. He says, “We’re not doing the blow the dust of the old Norse book in your library Thor, and in the Thor of the Marvel universe there’s a race called The Asgardians, and we’re linked through this tree of life that we’re unaware of. It’s real science, but we don’t know about it yet. The Thor movie is about teaching people that.”
“Thor” is scheduled to hit theaters on May 6, 2011. “Captain American” will follow on July 22, 2011 and “The Avengers” film is currently planning for a May 4, 2012. But if “Captain America” doesn’t make that date — and movement has been slow, though it’s rumored to shoot this summer — don’t be surprised if “The Avengers” release gets pushed.