June 28, 2007

Incredible Hulk movie info from SDCC

At the San Diego Comic book Convention today, the upcoming Incredible Hulk crew was there to talk about the movie and answer fan questions. The following information is from Newsarama.

"IGN Movies editor-in-chief Eric Moro opened the panel by introducing Incredible Hulk producers Gale Anne Hurd, Avi Arad, and Kevin Feige, director Louis Leterrier and actors Liv Tyler and Edward Norton (who both received the type of warm greeting you'd expect).

Moro explained that Tim Roth and William Hurt, who play the Abomination and General Ross in Incredible Hulk, respectively, could not make it to the panel.

Feige producers explained that this is "part one of a new Hulk saga." Hurd further explained the differences between this and 2003's Ang Lee Hulk by saying "We are not going to have a Hulk that is three different sizes in this movie."

Although no footage is yet available, one concept sketch of the Hulk was briefly shown. Similar to the Hulk’s look from the last film, this version appeared to be a darker green Hulk, but again, it was early, computer-rendered concept art.

Leterrier talked about his background with the character of the Hulk, saying that he was first introduced to the character through the '70s TV show, and was hoping to capture that feel in the film.

Norton talked about his work in the movie, saying that he was a "Marvel kid" growing up, and had subscriptions to several titles. He said he saw the story as a "mythic saga" and that the Hulk story has "almost limitless potential" for being re-imagined.

Norton said he considers himself lucky to get the chance to take on "One of the really classic modern mythologies, and take it seriously."

Norton praised Bill Bixby's performance in the original 1970s TV series, saying that you could really see "pathos" of the character. He described Bruce Banner as "a moral person" who has to reconcile the monster inside of him.

Moro turned to Liv Tyler for her take on the Betty Ross/Banner character. Tyler said she hasn't yet started filming "officially" yet, but was a big fan of the TV show growing up as a kid, and that she was drawn to the love story between Betty and Bruce. She also said that the movie will involve finding a cure for the Hulk.

Hurd said a goal for the movie is bringing the "humanity" as well as the action of the Hulk to life.

An audience member asked about Norton's experience in making the movie, and he admitted he doesn't have a lot of experience with special effect-driven movies. Norton said that recent technology has made it possible for him to "play both halves of it," and that was a major factor in leading him to accept the role.

A fan asked if there was anyone else in Hollywood Norton wanted to work with, and he joked "Liv was the last one, now I'm done."

Someone dressed as Captain America (Norton, showing his comic book fan cred, said "We've got Steve Rogers asking a question), asked if the movie was going to use the TV show origin or comic book origin. Norton said he wasn't a big fan of origin stories, and that he didn't like how they sometimes seemed "obligatory" in movies like they were "hustling through it." He said that they wanted to "spool out" the origin throughout the film, and that it isn't "rooted exclusively in the television show at all."

Norton then namechecked the Bruce Jones run on Hulk and Hulk Grey as influences (while making clear that they didn't just want to redo anything, but rather spin out their own story).

Earlier Norton mentioned that in addition to starring, he also “worked” on the film’s screenplay…

Norton continued that "the fun of it" was coming up with a unique spin, coming up with "our generation's take on things."

In the last question for the Hulk portion of the panel, a fan asked if there would be a dedication to Bill Bixby at the end of the movie. Feige said that respects will be paid to Bixby in one form of another, and Leterrier added that there will be a lot of "homages" in the film. "