From "Hulk SMASH!" to Hulk … solo sequel?
It’s no secret that Marvel has been trying to figure out how to better use The Incredible Hulk, because while he was a memorable member of Joss Whedon’s The Avengers, the jolly green behemoth hasn’t yet dominated on the big screen in a solo, standalone movie. That could change, if one-time Hulk co-star Lou Ferrigno – who played the Marvel superhero in a long-running television program – is to be believed as a credible source.
Lou Ferrigno was a guest on a local radio show in Minnesota (via Latino Review) and let it slip that Marvel plans to do another solo Hulk movie after Whedon wraps The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Ferrigno says that Hulk was the "star of the movie" and that "because he saved the day they're making another solo Hulk movie after the second Avengers comes out."
Would Lou Ferrigno actually know this? It’s possible. As we reported a few weeks back, the former TV Hulk has provided the voice for the massive green monster in past Marvel movies, and will reportedly do so in The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Marvel Studios absolutely could have shared their plans for future Hulk movies with Ferrigno, possibly to ask about his availability.
I find it hard to believe that Ferrigno would let slip such major news on a radio show in Minnesota. But maybe he figured he was safe from the long arm of the Internet. Little did Lou know, comic-book fans have ears planted everywhere, listening for scraps of Marvel news.
This Hulk theory could play into the story floated a while back (but somewhat shot down) that Marvel Studios wanted to pursue the Planet Hulk plotline for a series of films that would bridge Age of Ultron to a planned – but not yet announced -- The Avengers 3. Not familiar with Planet Hulk? Read Eric’s recount here, but basically, it involves Hulk being catapulted into outer space, where he lands on an alien landscape and plays out his own version of John Carter. Only better (we hope).
Hulk hasn’t necessarily been shortchanged in the cinematic Marvel universe, but it has taken the studio – and numerous directors – multiple attempts to get him right. Joss Whedon has come the closest, after interesting takes by Ang Lee and Louis Leterrier. If The Avengers: Age of Ultron continues to define Hulk as a cinematic hero audiences are clamoring for, then a solo Hulk film would be in order. Only, Marvel is busy back-filling all of the release dates they have circled with movies like Captain America 3, Thor 3 and a possible Doctor Strange film. Where would Hulk fit in? Would he fit in, at all?
