Filmmaker Louis Leterrier recently disclosed that his 2008 movie, The Incredible Hulk, almost had a significantly darker plot featuring Tony Stark and Captain America. Edward Norton portrayed Bruce Banner in the movie, with Lou Ferrigno providing the voice for the Hulk. Mark Ruffalo later replaced Norton in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Louis Leterrier confirms The Incredible Hulk’s darker cut had MCU cameos
Leterrier spoke about The Incredible Hulk during an interview with Collider while promoting his new movie, The Last House. He confirmed that his director’s cut is much darker than the version that ultimately debuted in theaters. “There’s a darker cut. Longer, obviously,” Leterrier explained. “It’s not an hour, but it’s very interesting because The Incredible Hulk was the first movie, sort of starting the MCU. So there were all these ideas that started many of the stories you’re following now, and that was in The Incredible Hulk,” he added.
The Fast X director also revealed that they shot scenes featuring characters like Tony Stark and Captain America at the North Pole. “It was a little ahead of its time, so we didn’t do it”, Leterrier recalled. “But Captain America was in it. Tony Stark was in it — he’s still in it. And the opening was actually quite interesting. It was set in the North Pole. It was cool. A little too dark,” he added.
The interviewer asked whether any of these scenes were ever made available for public viewing. Leterrier responded, “Some got out, some are still to be shown.”
The Incredible Hulk was the second movie in the MCU after Iron Man. While the latter came out in May of 2008, the former debuted in June. The Incredible Hulk received a lukewarm response from audiences, grossing just over $264 million at the global box office against a $150 million production budget (via Box Office Mojo). The movie currently has a 68% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. There hasn’t been a solo Hulk movie since this one.
Originally reported by Tamal Kundu for Super Hero Hype.
