Matilda Rose
New member
One thing we need to bear in mind. This film portrays The Incredible Hulk as he was intended to be - that is, as per the Marvel Comics, so the creature's size in the new film reflects Stan Lee's original character.
The Incredible Hulk TV series had to make several concessions to the real world to be able to work. For one thing, the TV Hulk was cut down to seven feet tall but even so camera trickery was often used to make Lou Ferrigno taller than he actually was.
But that was nothing compared to the more far-reaching alterations Kenneth Johnson made to the whole concept just to be able to get the idea plausible for a mainstream TV series. Johnson was tasked with choosing one of the Marvel Comics titles to adapt, however he hated comic books and couldn't see how any of them could be work in a "mature" way, but eventually he realised he could perhaps do something with The Incredible Hulk.
First thing to be altered as Bruce Banner's name, which Johnson changed to David (after his son) so the character's first name and surname did not begin with the same letter (this to dissociate from the comic book origins). And the supporting characters of the comic ie. General Ross and Betty were all tossed aside in favour of the famous psychological feel to the series; indeed Bill Bixby was reluctant to become involved with a series called "The Incredible Hulk" but came on board when Johnson sold the human emotion side of the idea.
Finally, instead of a crazed military general the TV Hulk's main nemesis would be an incompetent, downmarket tabloid reporter (Jack McGee) who follows the Hulk around the country, believing the creature will boost his stagnating career. Kenneth Johnson wanted to go further with his reworking of the Hulk concept - Stan Lee refused permission for Universal to change the Hulk's colour from green to red, which Johnson considered to be a more natural colour for a creature driven by rage. I could go on, but I hope this illustrates, as briefly as is possible, how both the comic book Hulk and that of the TV series were two completely different animals.
The Incredible Hulk TV series had to make several concessions to the real world to be able to work. For one thing, the TV Hulk was cut down to seven feet tall but even so camera trickery was often used to make Lou Ferrigno taller than he actually was.
But that was nothing compared to the more far-reaching alterations Kenneth Johnson made to the whole concept just to be able to get the idea plausible for a mainstream TV series. Johnson was tasked with choosing one of the Marvel Comics titles to adapt, however he hated comic books and couldn't see how any of them could be work in a "mature" way, but eventually he realised he could perhaps do something with The Incredible Hulk.
First thing to be altered as Bruce Banner's name, which Johnson changed to David (after his son) so the character's first name and surname did not begin with the same letter (this to dissociate from the comic book origins). And the supporting characters of the comic ie. General Ross and Betty were all tossed aside in favour of the famous psychological feel to the series; indeed Bill Bixby was reluctant to become involved with a series called "The Incredible Hulk" but came on board when Johnson sold the human emotion side of the idea.
Finally, instead of a crazed military general the TV Hulk's main nemesis would be an incompetent, downmarket tabloid reporter (Jack McGee) who follows the Hulk around the country, believing the creature will boost his stagnating career. Kenneth Johnson wanted to go further with his reworking of the Hulk concept - Stan Lee refused permission for Universal to change the Hulk's colour from green to red, which Johnson considered to be a more natural colour for a creature driven by rage. I could go on, but I hope this illustrates, as briefly as is possible, how both the comic book Hulk and that of the TV series were two completely different animals.
No thank you. 