Hulk Most Difficult Marvel Property: Whedon
There’s been so much Hulk talk lately. The direct-to-DVD film from Marvel - Iron Man and Hulk: Heroes United - was originally slated for an April 23 release date but now won’t come out until December 3. Much has been made of the rumors of World War Hulk or Planet Hulk being adapted into live action films. Then Mark Ruffalo tweeted this week that he won’t play Hulk again until The Avengers 2. All of which is just creating more speculation around a third standalone Bruce Banner/Hulk movie this time with Mark Ruffalo. The latest to weigh in is Joss Whedon who tells Deadline:
I didn’t actually read World War Hulk so I’m not sure how I’d adapt it.
Mark and I loved the Hulk and went over and over the concept of rage and how it should manifest, and that part of it was fascinating to both of us. But when it comes time for the Hulk he has to put on the silliest damn pajamas you ever saw, a tiara made of balls, and a bunch of dots on his face and growl around like an idiot. The real heart of the experience ultimately becomes playing Banner, and the thing that people fell in love with was Banner because I think Mark has you from the first time he shows up.
The Hulk is the most difficult Marvel property because it’s always about balance. Is he a monster? Is he a hero? Are you going to root for a protagonist who spends all his time trying to stop the reason you came to the movie from happening? It’s always a dance. I don’t think the first two movies nailed it, but I don’t envy them the task. It was easier to have him in a group than to build everything around him. I don’t think there would be any problem getting a movie together that had enough Banner, even if there was also Hulk. But if he was only Hulk for the entire movie I think Mark at some point would go, why am I here? I would be less inclined to pursue a storyline where the Hulk is only ever the Hulk.
Get more from Deadline.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
