The Incredible Hulk a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics

The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner/the Hulk. It is the second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is not a sequel to the 2003 film Hulk, but rather a reboot that establishes a new back-story where Banner became the Hulk as an unwitting pawn in a military scheme to reinvigorate the supersoldier program through gamma radiation. On the run, he attempts to cure himself of the Hulk before he is captured by General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt), but his worst fears are realized when power-hungry soldier Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) becomes a similar but more bestial creature. Liv Tyler also stars as Betty Ross, Banner's girlfriend and General Ross' daughter.

Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the character after the mixed reception to Hulk, and writer Zak Penn began work on a loose sequel that would be much closer to the comics and the television series. Norton rewrote the script after he signed on to star, which clarified the film's new back-story. Leterrier redesigned Roth's character, called the Abomination in the comics, from the comics' reptilian humanoid into a monster with bony protrusions. Filming mostly took place in Toronto, Ontario in 2007, where the production attempted to be environmentally friendly.

The film outgrossed its predecessor and received generally positive reviews. Despite this positive reception Marvel chose to put off a possible sequel until after 2012's The Avengers; Edward Norton was initially set to reprise his role, however after talks broke down he will be replaced by Mark Ruffalo for The Avengers and any subsequent sequels. As of April 6, 2009, the film has grossed $263,427,551 in worldwide box office and it made $58,448,280 in DVD sales, bringing its total film gross to $321,875,831.

Plot

In 2003, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) meets with Dr. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), the colleague and lover of his daughter Betty (Liv Tyler). Ross wants Banner to revive a World War II-era military supersoldier, but tells Banner the goal of the experiment is to make human beings immune to gamma radiation. The experiment fails, transforming Banner into the Hulk (voiced by Lou Ferrigno), and injuring Betty. Whenever Banner becomes angry he transforms into the Hulk. He becomes a fugitive from the United States Army.

Five years later in 2008, Banner works at a soda bottling factory in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro while searching for a cure for his condition. He collaborates with a colleague on the Internet, known only as "Mr. Blue", and to whom he is known as "Mr. Green". He is also learning meditative breathing techniques from a martial arts expert (Rickson Gracie) to help regulate his pulse rate and keep his anger controlled, and has not transformed in 158 days. After Banner cuts his finger a drop of his blood ends up in one of the bottles, and is eventually ingested by a consumer (Stan Lee) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, revealing Banner's location to Ross, who sends a team to capture him led by Russian-born British Royal Marine Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth). Banner escapes by transforming into the Hulk and defeating Blonsky's team. After Ross explains how Banner became the Hulk, Blonsky agrees to be injected with a small amount of a new super soldier serum, which gives him enhanced physical attributes, though has the side effect of making him more arrogant and overconfident.

Banner returns to Culver University in Virginia, where he first became the Hulk, and reunites with Betty, who is dating psychiatrist Leonard Samson (Ty Burrell). Before he leaves the area Banner is attacked by Ross and Blonsky's forces, tipped off by the suspicious Samson. The Hulk dispatches Ross and Blonsky's team and flees with Betty. After the Hulk reverts back to Banner, he and Betty go on the run. Banner makes contact with Mr. Blue, who urges them to travel to New York City to meet him. He turns out to be cellular biologist and college professor Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), who tells Banner that he has developed a possible antidote that may cure Banner's condition, or merely reverse each individual transformation. After a successful test Sterns reveals that he has synthesized Banner's blood samples, which Banner sent from Brazil, into a large supply, with the intention of using it to bring humans to the next evolutionary level. Appalled by what Sterns has done, and fearful of the Hulk's power falling into the wrong hands, Banner attempts to convince Sterns to destroy the blood supply. He is attacked by Ross' forces and taken into custody with Betty.

Blonsky forces Sterns to inject him with Banner's blood, as he covets the Hulk's power. Sterns warns that the combination of the supersoldier formula (on which Blonsky has overdosed, slightly deforming his skeleton) and a gamma treatment may turn him into an "abomination". Unconcerned, Blonsky forces Sterns to administer the gamma charge. The experiment goes wrong and Blonsky mutates into a creature with strength surpassing that of the Hulk, but cannot change back. Sterns offers to fix what has happened but Blonsky throws Sterns across the room. A drop of Bruce's blood falls on a cut he incurred; it begins to throb and his forehead begins swelling. Blonsky rampages through Harlem to draw the Hulk out.

Realizing that the Hulk is the only one who can stop Blonsky, Banner convinces Ross to release him. He jumps from Ross' helicopter as it hovers over the city, the adrenaline surge of the act transforming him into the Hulk. After a long and brutal battle through Harlem, the Hulk defeats Blonsky by choking him with a huge chain, relenting only after Betty's plea. After having a small, peaceful moment with Betty, the Hulk flees. Thirty-one days later, Banner is in Bella Coola, British Columbia. Instead of trying to suppress his transformations, he is attempting to initiate them in a controlled manner. As his eyes turn green, a grin appears on his face, indicating that Banner may have finally controlled the beast within.

Meanwhile, General Ross is found drinking in a bar when he is approached by industrialist Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), who reveals that they are putting a "team" together.

The Incredible Hulk a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics