Hulk

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The story begins at Culver University in Virginia, where General Thaddeus Ross oversees an experiment intended to recreate the World War II-era 'super soldier' program. The test fails catastrophically when Dr. Bruce Banner is exposed to high levels of gamma radiation, triggering a condition that transforms him into the monstrous Hulk whenever his heart rate exceeds 200 beats per minute or he becomes enraged. Five years later, Banner lives as a fugitive working in a bottling factory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, having avoided transformation for five months through yoga and breathing techniques. He collaborates anonymously with an internet user named 'Mr. Blue' to find a cure. When Banner accidentally contaminates a soda bottle with his blood, it reaches an elderly consumer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, allowing Ross's forces to track him down using the gamma sickness as a marker.

In Their Own Story

Special forces led by Emil Blonsky are sent to capture Banner in Rio. After Banner transforms and defeats the team, Blonsky survives and agrees to be injected with a similar serum, gaining enhanced speed and strength. Banner reunites with his former girlfriend Betty Ross at Culver University, but General Ross arrives with military forces and an impaired Blonsky. During the ensuing battle, Banner transforms again; Betty is nearly killed by friendly fire before the Hulk saves her and flees to New York City to meet Dr. Samuel Sterns, known as 'Mr. Blue.' Sterns has developed a potential antidote but warns it may only reverse initial transformations. He reveals he synthesized Banner's blood samples into a large supply for medical use. Blonsky, coveting the Hulk's power, orders Sterns to inject him with Banner's blood after Banner is taken into custody. This mutates Blonsky into the Abomination, who attacks Sterns and rampages through Harlem. Banner convinces Ross to release him, transforms mid-air from a helicopter, and defeats the Abomination in Harlem by nearly strangling him with a chain, sparing his life at Betty's plea.

Reader's Guide

The film stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, a nuclear physicist whose casting followed a search where David Duchovny was a front-runner and director Louis Leterrier originally wanted Mark Ruffalo. Producer Gale Anne Hurd cited Norton's performances in Primal Fear (1996) and Fight Club (1999), while Kevin Feige noted his resemblance to Bill Bixby from the 1978–1982 television series. Norton, a fan of early comics and the Jones run, rewrote the screenplay to distance the film from the 2003 version, though he received no writing credit due to production disagreements over the final edit. Filming occurred from July to November 2007 in Toronto, New York City, and Rio de Janeiro, utilizing over 700 visual effects shots combining motion capture and CGI. Lou Ferrigno voices the Hulk, a role offered publicly at the 2008 New York Comic Con; he originally had only one line, 'Betty,' but Leterrier added 'Leave me alone!' and 'Hulk smash!' based on fan feedback.

Did You Know?

• Edward Norton rewrote the screenplay to position the film as a reboot but was ultimately not credited for his writing.
• Over 700 visual effects shots were created using a combination of motion capture and computer-generated imagery.
• Lou Ferrigno, who played the Hulk in the 1978–1982 television series, has a cameo as a security guard bribed with a pizza.
• Tim Roth suggested that Emil Blonsky be a soldier rather than a KGB agent as depicted in the comics.
• The film grossed $265 million and was deemed a moderate success, receiving slightly better reviews than the 2003 Hulk film.