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nailbiter111 Home : News : Videos : Pictures : Polls : Contact

Ang Lee Regrets Not Making A "Fun" HULK Movie

Director Ang Lee credited the knowledge that he acquired while working on Hulk for giving him the confidence to pull off the CGI-heavy film, Life of Pi. He also shares his thoughts on Mark Ruffalo's Hulk in Marvel's summer blockbuster, The Avengers.

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By nailbiter111 - 11/19/2012
The Hulk’s realism rivaled that of even Gollum. © 2003 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. Credit: ILM.


While doing press for his new movie, Life of Pi, director Ang Lee told Vulture that 2003's Hulk gave him useful experience with computer-generated images that he was able to apply to his latest film.

I learned quite a bit about CG from The Hulk, and I wouldn't have been able to do Life of Pi without that. But it's easier to create an animal, because there exists a good reference — so a tiger or a hyena is easier than a 2,000-pound rage monster. The hardest thing to do is the weight, not the skin, because there's no reference for something that size that is agile. And the technology's improved, so you can have more details with Mark's Hulk. My problem is that I took the whole thing too seriously. I should have had more fun with it, instead of all the psychodrama! [Laughs.]

Ang Lee's Hulk film is widely considered a disappointment. The worldwide box office receipts totaled $245 million, while the budget was $137 million, but I'm sure marketing costs aren't factored in. Many fans were put off by the psychodrama that Ang spoke of above, as well as waiting 42 minutes to finally see the Hulk's first appearance. If that didn't bother fans, the mutated Hulk dogs and Hulk himself growing absurdly taller and bigger after each transformation certainly did. The film will probably be best known for having one of the largest drops in its second weekend for a film that opened at #1, with a -69.7% drop.

Source: vulture
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SageMode - 11/19/2012, 6:14 PM
"I should have had more fun with it, instead of all the psychodrama!"


Agreed.
niknik - 11/19/2012, 6:23 PM
No $h!t Sherlock!
Spideyguy94 - 11/19/2012, 6:25 PM
I think the psychodrama could have worked but the problem was it was done in a way that was uninteresting and boring. But It was very inspired by Peter David's run on hulk which dealt with the psychology of the hulk and it is in my opinion the best hulk run ever. I think a good hulk film can be made dealing with the psychology of the hulk and Bruce banner.
TheGambitFreakIsBatmanOfCBM - 11/19/2012, 6:27 PM
Hey, he made a good Hulk film! It was Marvel's and Universal's fault for advertising it as a hardcore action flick, Ang Lee made it an emotional film.
DioFoRio - 11/19/2012, 6:28 PM
wiser words were never spoken.
DioFoRio - 11/19/2012, 6:28 PM
that was @ the fun thing...not what Gambitch said ; )
Happy11 - 11/19/2012, 6:33 PM
I liked the hulk it wasn't great and should've had more action and comedy moments like the incredible hulk which I really enjoyed first time but it wasn't terrible not like FF or batman and robin.
ClaireLannister2016 - 11/19/2012, 6:36 PM
Yeah I bet he does
RorMachine - 11/19/2012, 6:42 PM
I actually preferred his movie to the reboot..just.
CaptainObvious - 11/19/2012, 6:44 PM
That was the Hulk? I thought it was Shrek.
Spideyguy94 - 11/19/2012, 6:52 PM
@Cipher yeah Peter David's run on hulk is fantastic, the only problem is that his run was very long and marvel only bring 1 visionaries trade out per year which sucks, I think there is still 6 more trades to go. Yeah I don't think the first hulk is a very good movie but I give it credit for trying, the way the hulk has been set up in the mcu we are never gonna see grey hulk/joefixit done which is sad.
CaptainObvious - 11/19/2012, 6:53 PM
I'm just going to leave this right here:

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn
DanteSparda - 11/19/2012, 6:58 PM
It wasn't that bad for a movie, but seriously it was a terrible Hulk movie. The Incredible Hulk was better but not that great yet, for the next Hulk they should focus less in the runaway Bruce Banner and more in the scientist Bruce Banner and therefore do a more sci-fi heavy film.

They also should have a villian that doesn't mirror Hulk in abilities (like Adomination or Wendigo), also they should make Hulk abilities like those of Hulk in the Avengers, cause Hulk from TIH wasn't that strong.
TrueRedBlue - 11/19/2012, 7:01 PM
It's alright, Ang. Mark Ruffalo and Joss Whedon have dried up all of my tears..
RorMachine - 11/19/2012, 7:04 PM
CaptainObvious , I actually got fooled by that a few mins ago and posted an article! Didn't even cop the letters on the top initially - it's a ship from the cover of an Electric Lights Orchestra album!
jimpinto24 - 11/19/2012, 7:09 PM
Ang Lee's Hulk was a HUGE!!! letdown!
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/19/2012, 7:11 PM
I enjoyed Ang Lee's hulk. It wasn't perfect, but at least it wasn't a cookie cutter CBM like the later hulk movie. He took some chances with it and in the end it didn't work out. It is still a better movie than Edward Norton's Hulk movie. I really hope he directs another comic book movie.
fettastic - 11/19/2012, 7:12 PM
Ang Lee created a beautiful film and I for one appreciated the psychodrama.

But yes, there were many missteps along the way. The hulk dogs, the Jolly Green Giant syndrome and the bizarre, very Japanese ending.

You take the good with the bad but I personally feel Lee's Hulk had more to offer than the reboot did.
xXkryptoniteXx - 11/19/2012, 7:12 PM
It could have worked but the editing was very annoying. I know he was trying something new and especially when there isnt a lot of comic book movies at that time that can inspire such a thing like the Avengers or Iron man. Yes they had Xmen and Spiderman but there wasnt a clear line yet on how a comic book movie is suppose to be. They also could have showed more action rather than a fast 30 second action(dog fight).
ClarkWilson91 - 11/19/2012, 7:17 PM
And he should almost ruined my 11th birthday party.
DanteSparda - 11/19/2012, 7:17 PM
@xXkryptoniteXx:

"and the bizarre, very Japanese ending."

Hahahaha, yeah, I almost tought that Bruce's father was going to end like Tetsuo from Akira.
thefirstavenger97 - 11/19/2012, 7:22 PM
Well at least we got the purple pants.
TheAbomination - 11/19/2012, 7:23 PM
No shit.
GUNSMITH - 11/19/2012, 7:24 PM
I'LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH...I SAT IN THE THEATER, I WATCHED IT WITH MY KIDS, I BELIEVED IN THE CHARACTER BUT YOU KNOW IT SAID SOMETHING WHEN MY KID TUGGED AT MY SHIRT WAKING UP CAUSE SHE FELL ASLEEP WATCHING IT AND SAID," DADDY, DADDY DAMN IS IT OVER YET?"...PSCYCHOBABLE ...IS UTTERLY BORING AND TOTAL BS IN A HULK MOVIE.
Ancar - 11/19/2012, 7:24 PM
It is a great movie - by far, the best Hulk onscreen! [frick] those complaining kids!
DioFoRio - 11/19/2012, 7:26 PM
@Ror...that was funny bro. Saw you puled it down. ; )

Welcome back RidiFanBoy
DioFoRio - 11/19/2012, 7:27 PM
@Ancar..better than Avengers? Crazy talk man, Crazy.
Underworld5454 - 11/19/2012, 7:28 PM
Hulk Dogs, including a Hulk Poodle....enough said!
poop23 - 11/19/2012, 7:28 PM
Just look at it like this,, because of that movie, we now know what we should and shouldn't do in these kinds of films, same thing goes for spiderman 3 and wolverine, the only difference is that those two ruined perfectly good franchises and we'll never get a chance to undo those damages. Except for the Hulk, in which not too much was put on the line when making that

I did appreciate the hulks acting on the level of wanting to destroy things and getting pissed. The score by elfman was great, aside from those vocals in the desert.
nailbiter111 - 11/19/2012, 7:36 PM
I'm a HUGE HULK FAN but this wasn't the movie I wanted. This didn't have any of the elements that drew me into the comic book. Joss Whedon is the only person that has gotten a grasp on what makes The Hulk so damn awesome. Hopefully he can point Marvel in the right direction with Hulk's next solo film.
Fogs - 11/19/2012, 7:38 PM
Loved the facility / desert scenes. detested the poodles, the absorbing man and the whole father problem that leads him to be like he is, as if justifying the rage he feels makes the Hulk and not the gamma alone. Stupid and unnecessary. Also I have no problems with the comic panels but I could live without them.
JDUKE25 - 11/19/2012, 7:41 PM
The Hulk scenes were ok, but the rest of the movie was BOR-ORING.
nailbiter111 - 11/19/2012, 7:42 PM
The funny thing is I don't hate the movie, I'm just really disappointed with it. It doesn't feel like a Hulk movie. I do admire the chances Ang took, and I appreciate that he told a coherent story, which most directors don't know how to do. It just wasn't the story I wanted for a live-action Hulk film. I do HATE the Hulk dogs, oh so much. Favorite scene? I LOVE the foam they use to "stop" the Hulk, that was a nice touch.
jessepostal - 11/19/2012, 7:43 PM
Long and boring of a movie. Along with some cheese and not much smashing
polarkyle - 11/19/2012, 7:47 PM
Sure the film wasn't great but you have to admit the hulk looked so realistic and it was better than half of the fake ass cgi we see today. Also why would fans complain about the hulk getting bigger. That's awesome in my opinion
Preston - 11/19/2012, 7:48 PM
I'm with nailbiter111 on this. However, I know tons of non-comic reading females who loves this movie. On the other hand, I liked the Bruce Jones stuff that leaked into the reboot with Edward Norton.

And, Bruce Jones run was fantastic. Plus, Norton made a great Bruce Banner.

Norton was a Hulk fan, citing the first comic appearances, the Bixby TV show, and Bruce Jones' run on the comic, as his favorite depictions of the character.



Bruce Jones
GUNSMITH - 11/19/2012, 7:49 PM
AND HULK=EMO, WAY TOO DEEP.




NORTON HULK=SURFER BODY PARKOUR-ISH BUT WAY BETTER



RUFFA-HULK= THAT'S HOW YOU DO THE HULK DAMMIT.
ATrueHero1987 - 11/19/2012, 8:00 PM
IDK why lol when I saw this article. Hulk 2003 wasn't The Hulk movie I wanted. TIH was good, it deserved so much more(I kinda blame Norton, Marvel, and Universal). The Hulk in The Avengers was the best, they did a fantastic job with Bruce Banner in that movie.
Dickel - 11/19/2012, 8:03 PM
I enjoyed both Hulk movies actually. Both were different but enjoyable and warranted at least a second viewing -which to me, means it wasn't too bad.
breakUbatman - 11/19/2012, 8:09 PM
I always loved that scene where Banner faces Hulk in the mirror.


@poop23

I agree now if only Sony could realize that no one gives a crap about Peter Parker, Bruce Banner or Logan's parents (how dumb was it that Logan grew up to look like the guy who wasn't his dad?) Howard Stark had the benefit of having fathered Tony and actually being part of bigger things.
Now we have Richard Parker the god of TASM who fathered the hero, made the spiders that gave him powers, solved the 0-decay algorithm that leads to the creation of the villain and built the device that saves the day



Personally I think we need more genre diversity in CBMs because someone died and i got powers gets old really fast if the only thing changing is the colour of the costumes.
ATrueHero1987 - 11/19/2012, 8:10 PM
Bruce Jones run was really good. I liked the stories and the art. Jones captured most of what was good about about TIH show in the late 70s. Of course I was born then but I saw most of those reruns around the 2003 Hulk movie came out. For the next Hulk movie, I don't think Joss Whedon has to direct but maybe just write the movie. Give us The Leader, Absorbing Man, and the U-Foes! :)
darkmetal - 11/19/2012, 8:13 PM
I didnt see Lee's Hulk in the theater but when I saw Norton's I almost walked out when The Hulk and The Abomination started fighting because it was really just 2 cartoons fighting. And the fight really sucked ass.
ATrueHero1987 - 11/19/2012, 8:19 PM
@cipher you know what? I got Jenkins Dog Of War TPB(You know, the one that Ang got some of influence from for his Hulk movie) It was a great story arc and the Gamma Dogs in that one you could actually take serious.

Ready to read Waid's take on The Hulk.
ComradeGrey - 11/19/2012, 8:20 PM
I loved both Hulk movies. If you weren't prepared for psychodrama, you're lying about being a Hulk fan. Seriously, have critics of Lee's film actually read Hulk comics?
bropous - 11/19/2012, 8:23 PM
I enjoyed both Hulk movies, but the Marvel one was better.

Ror, you are STILL a censoring little girl. Reporting Ranger14 for making justified comments, huh? Gee, what a puss.
bropous - 11/19/2012, 8:27 PM
Now, girls:
RorMachine - 11/19/2012, 8:36 PM
Anyway, as the trash is being taken out I'll get back to The Hulk. The dog stuff didn't work very well, but it's not like the Hulk hasn't fought mutant dogs in the comics before..actually on a couple of occasions that I can think of. Lee's mistake was mixing that very strange element in when it didn't mix with the tone the movie up to that point. It wasn't a deal breaker for me though, I still really like the movie. He delved into Banner's psyche..something the best Hulk stories have always done..he just forgot to add enough action while he was at it. The reboot had the action, but that's all it had.
HULK2099 - 11/19/2012, 8:42 PM
His film was very creative, I think if Ang was given a second chance now learning from his mistakes, he could do a great hulk
TheAmazingSpidey63 - 11/19/2012, 8:46 PM
Ang Lee's Hulk was the second Marvel film I watched when I was a kid. The first was Raimi's Spider-Man. I enjoyed it. I honestly did. I do know that this films has its flaws (I would list them, but I would go on forever), but despite all of that, despite those flaws that stick out in the film, I enjoyed it when I first saw it. It gave me a basic understanding of what the Hulk was. The action was pretty sweet (particularly Hulk vs U.S. Army Tanks), it was visually cool, and all in all an enjoyable film. Buuuuuuut.....To be honest, between Banna's Hulk and Mark's Hulk, I definitely go with Mark's Hulk. :)
ATrueHero1987 - 11/19/2012, 8:48 PM
TIH would've been a much better movie if it included most of the deleted scenes!! Seriously, that should've kept most of that stuff when it was released in theaters. Still a very good movie though.
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