ROTTEN TOMATOES: Marvel Settles on the Hulk's Next Foe

Marvel Settles on the Hulk's Next Foe

by Scott Weinberg | April 27, 2006

CNN's business section did a fantastic piece on Marvel Entertainment's recent history and the hit-making capabilities of the tireless Avi Arad, so if you're a comics fan, I highly recommend you give the piece a look. Oh, and Avi announced that the "Hulk 2" villain will be a "980-pound freak" named Abomination. Cool!

"It was dark and intense, and Banner didn't even do his Hulk bit until nearly halfway through the film. "Our Hulk," Arad says, "will be a diet Hulk. Lighter. Focusing on the love story, Hulk as hero, and his battle with the villain." For that villain, (Avi) Arad has chosen one of his favorite baddies: Abomination, a former Yugoslav spy who has mutated into a 980-pound freak of terrifying strength and unpleasant demeanor. "He's capable of amazing feats," Arad says, eyes gleaming."

"Hollywood insiders say Arad had hoped to make "Captain America" Marvel's debut film. But that's not happening; Arad says he couldn't line up the director he wanted until 2009. Moreover, two films Arad now says could be among those first out of the gate, the "Hulk" sequel and "Iron Man," aren't covered by the Merrill loan, which means Marvel will need another way to finance them."

...and my favorite quote...

"We have the most valuable library in the world," he says. "We've had one bad movie, Elektra, and it was bad because we didn't have creative control. That won't happen again."

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(1-20 of 44 posts) | Reply

cowsfan writes:
on Apr 27 2006 04:11 AM

I didn't see the first 'Hulk'. In fact it's the only Ang Lee film I haven't seen. I heard all kinds of mixed reviews. I'm really wondering whose gonna write and direct the next one?

(Reply to this)

AllHallows writes:
on Apr 27 2006 06:37 AM

"Focusing on the love story"

Not good.

.

(Reply to this)

knowingtoast85 writes:
on Apr 27 2006 08:20 AM

"Daredevil" was one of the worst comic book movies I've seen, and I have heard pretty unanimous distaste for "The Punisher," and "Blade: Trinity" as well, so despite Arad's successes, there are more failed properties he should own up to than just "Elektra" (although this may mark the first time in Hollywood history where a producer has used the word "bad" to describe one of his own movies).

(Reply to this)

Now it's dark writes:
on Apr 27 2006 08:39 AM

Hulk and Superman 2 are the best superhero movies, imo. Can't wait for this

(Reply to this)

ninjaandy writes:
on Apr 27 2006 08:58 AM

Daredevil wasn't bad, especially if you aren't familiar with the source material. Elektra, Fantastic Four, Punisher, Blade Trinity (and I would add Blade II) . . . yeah, all wastes.

(Reply to this)

Callpacas writes:
on Apr 27 2006 09:29 AM

In reply to this comment (#834520)
"Focusing on the love story"

Good. Finally some emorions.

(Reply to this)

Vitamin M writes:
on Apr 27 2006 09:42 AM

The Hulk was a bit over long and the end didn't make much sense as is Ang Lee's way but it still had some of the best action sequences ever, so yes I would love to see another Hulk film, hopefully on the big screen again.
And although the Punisher and Daredevil were definetly not good films I bet what Arad means is that Elecktra was the only one that didn't make him much money, that is how producers determine how good a film was.

(Reply to this)

antickpix writes:
on Apr 27 2006 09:56 AM

though i loved the first film, can understand why ppl may find it crappy.

but whatever this film is, i hope Eric Bana returns. He rocked!

(Reply to this)

Racer Z writes:
on Apr 27 2006 09:57 AM

This is great news, if they get the right director. Hulk is THE most underrated superhero film to date, and among my favorite along with X-Men and Hellboy. I would love to see the movie Hulk go toe to toe with Abomination. That's one of those classic comic duels I've always wanted to see put on film. I hope it's done well.

(Reply to this)

lavatory love machine writes:
on Apr 27 2006 10:44 AM

best comic book movies ever: the crow and batman begins

worst: fantastic four and blade trinity

(Reply to this)

blorenze writes:
on Apr 27 2006 11:06 AM

[b]Back off on "the Punisher"[/b]
Everybody is all down on the Punisher... maybe because it was more of a mafia movie than any kind of "superhero" film... but I think you're all nuts. Thomas Jane can't act his way out of a nutsack but dammit he looked so cool in that movie, and he belted down JD like a champion. And the Russian guy (wearing the silly t-shirt that made him look like a glorified 3-year-old) added for one of the sickest fights ever! And dragging John Travolta out of the building to meet his end was so damn badass. Maybe it didn't tackle the meaning of life or the true complexities of the Punsiher (it is silly to think that a single film can), but it captured the abondon, ruthlessness, and the likeness of the Punisher perfectly.

It couldn't have been better than it was unless they were willing to make a series of films out of it... you can only expect so much out of a stand-alone film. Did I mention that Thomas Jane is a bad-ass yet?

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Apr 27 2006 11:26 AM

Best Comic book movies: Spiderman 2, Batman Begins
Worst: Elektra, Hellboy

Hulk is underrated, people were just upset they didn't get to see him smash things more. It was a fine movie besides that, and I'm glad they are making another. But, it DOES need to be a little bit more, exciting. Hulk is one part of Banner's persona, and he needs his fair share of time, ya know? Plus, he needs to smash crap.

(Reply to this)

Count_Vertigo writes:
on Apr 27 2006 12:03 PM

[b]Does Anyone Remember "Man-Thing"?[/b]
I didn't think many people would. This movie was such a flop that it was yanked from Lionsgate's roster and made its debut on the SciFi Channel. It made "Elektra" look like a best picture nominee.

(Reply to this)

I Am Remote writes:
on Apr 27 2006 12:07 PM

Hellboy the worst? Are you kidding?

And you liked SpiderMan 2 ...I guess that explains it.

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Apr 27 2006 12:41 PM

I still would prefer a real person to play the Hulk. The Mr. Hyde character from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen worked. I am sure they could do the same for the Hulk. Too much CGI ruined the film for me. Plus it was too long. The second film could be much better. At least they have a decent villain from the comic books this time.

(Reply to this)

Decade_e_a writes:
on Apr 27 2006 01:07 PM

Spiderman movies were too campy and light. #3 will kick ass because it'd going to be VERY dark. At least I hope. I'm tired of children ruining what could have been the two most badass films of all time. There are more 30 year old men in their mom's basements reading Spiderman comics than there are children. Forget money and let's talk art.

But, alas, my dreams will never come true.

(Reply to this)

Racer Z writes:
on Apr 27 2006 01:33 PM

Everyone's all down on the CG in Hulk. Are you kidding? The VFX in that film were outstanding! The animation there redefined the term MASS. Are we all forgetting the pathetic animation on Spider-man in the first film? I mean, I enjoy the Spider-man films as much as the next guy, but the Peter Parker bit with him leaping across building tops? Gimme' a break, and lay off the top-notch work in Hulk.

By the way, allow me to list all of the superhero films that are WORSE than Hellboy (which IMO is actually one of the best):

The first four Batman films (especially Batman & Robin)
Daredevil
Elektra
Crow: City of Angels (and the next one after that, I can't even remember the title)
Fantastic Four (both of them)
Catwoman (hello?! have we forgotten that one? Lord knows I'd like to.)
Superman 3 and 4
Blade Trinity
Punisher (both of them)
Captain America (remember that goofball film from the early 90's?)

Need I go on?

(Reply to this)

Steve Perry writes:
on Apr 27 2006 01:51 PM

"HELLBOY SUCKED!"

(Reply to this)

darcko writes:
on Apr 27 2006 02:24 PM

Let's face it, most aren't gonna like Hulk because it didn't have enough action and smash. That's the sole reason why I liked it. As for the special effects, please. Even if a real person played Hulk you know they'd still use CGI for the action scenes anyway, like how Spidey climbed the wall for the first time in the first Spiderman, so why complain.

(Reply to this)

Racer Z writes:
on Apr 27 2006 02:24 PM

In reply to this comment (#834536)
Well, who could argue with so eloquent a remark as that?

(Reply to this)

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