The Director Of The Incredible Hulk Reflects On The Movie's MCU Impact

The Incredible Hulk (2008) is a one-of-a-kind entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because it stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/Hulk, a role that was subsequently filled by Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers (2012).

Despite the change in lead actor, The Incredible Hulk remains a part of the MCU canon, and characters from the film have begun to return to the franchise. Tim Roth reprised his role as Emil Blonksy/Abomination in She-Hulk last year, and Tim Blake Nelson is set to reprise his role as Samuel Sterns/The Leader in Captain America: New World Order.

Louis Leterrier, the director of The Incredible Hulk, recently took over for Justin Lin as the director of Fast X, and ComicBook.com got the opportunity to speak with him at yesterday’s trailer launch event. Leterrier mentioned being present during the early phases of the MCU throughout the conversation.

“I’m delighted they’re healthy, I’m happy they’re alive,” Leterrier said of Roth and Nelson’s recent return. “It’s unbelievable. I was there at the start of Marvel. This was a really special time in my life. We built this studio. We came up with… Yes, The Incredible Hulk gave birth to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tony Stark entered The Incredible Hulk and announced, ‘I’m putting together a team,’ and who is it? Naturally, the Avengers.

That was the start. Nobody considered… Kevin and I both had expectations that he would acquire this kind of following. It’s somewhat analogous to what happened [with Fast X]. It will go a long way if you make movies, if you provide something as a fan to the fans, and if you appreciate your audience because you are one of them. So absolutely, I can’t wait for these characters—our new characters—to appear in other movies in 20 years.

Is World War Hulk Happening?

Many episodes of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney+ had Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk last year, and fans are wondering when we’ll get to see the Avenger once more. Although Ruffalo’s next Marvel project has not yet received official confirmation, it is expected that he will return to the series.

Hulk appears at a family gathering in the She-Hulk season finale and reveals he has a son, Skaar (Wil Deusner). One of the most prominent characters to emerge during World War Hulk in the comics was Skaar, who was developed by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr. The Hulk and Caiera the Oldstrong, one of the Shadow People that settled Sakaar, are his parents. Fans are now hoping that a World War Hulk project is in development, and Ruffalo appears to believe that a movie is on the horizon.

“I’m not sure. It most definitely suggests that, “Ruffalo spoke with Variety. “There have been various discussions concerning what transpired during the two years that the Hulk deserted Banner and the Avengers [on Sakaar], as well as the creation of Smart Hulk, but these questions have never received a satisfactory resolution. Since then, I believe we have given that time period four sentences total. It’s a tremendously fascinating and thrilling aspect of the Banner and Hulk stories.”

The Director Of The Incredible Hulk Reflects On The Movie’s MCU Impact

The Incredible Hulk (2008) is a one-of-a-kind entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because it stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/Hulk, a role that was subsequently filled by Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers (2012).

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