The Untapped Potential of Incredible Hulk 2-4: A Sequel Analysis

The delayed return of the Hulk to Marvel Studios has left fans eagerly awaiting its potential. Although the initial storyline for Hulk in 2003 and 2008 established a strong foundation, the rights have only recently been reacquired by Marvel. This prompts an intriguing question: what could have been with Incredible Hulk 2-4 if Marvel had already reclaimed the rights earlier?

Reacquiring the Rights

It's worth noting that the distribution rights to the Hulk weren't reverted back to Marvel until June 2023. This lack of control allowed other studios to explore the character, leading to varying interpretations of the Bruce Banner and his alter ego, Hulk. These rights were initially sold to Universal Pictures in the 1990s due to Marvel's financial troubles. Part of the deal stipulated that if a movie was not produced successfully within a certain period (typically 15 years), the rights would revert back to Marvel for sale.

Potential Sequels: Gamma World, Gray, and The Living Titan

If Marvel had reacquired all of the Hulk’s rights in 2006 as initially planned, they would have had the opportunity to create a series of films that paralleled their Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man franchises. The original plan included four main films, which didn't materialize due to the rights being held by Universal:

The Incredible Hulk: Gamma World - This film would have delved into the origins of Gamma radiation and the emergence of the Leader and Madman. Flashbacks would have shown Bruce Banner's childhood to establish the psychological roots of his transformation. The Incredible Hulk: Gray - This film would have introduced an alternate personality of Bruce Banner known as Joe Fixit. The movie would have taken place before Avengers: Age of Ultron, setting the stage for further evolution of the character. The Incredible Hulk: The Living Titan - This film would feature Xenmu, The Living Titan, The Gargoyle, and Igor Drenkov. It would also introduce the Dark Hulk in a cameo appearance and Bi-Beast in the post-credits scene, which would have certainly heightened the tension and anticipation for the upcoming Incredible Hulk 5, titled The Maestro and Red Hulk.

The Hollywood Landscape: Universal's Mistake

Despite the potential for these four films, Universal Pictures failed to capitalize on the Hulk franchise in the mid-2000s. Their efforts were disjointed, and the initial Hulk (2003) and The Incredible Hulk (2008) films never really established a cohesive storyline for Bruce Banner and his alter ego Hulk. This failure provides a unique opportunity for Marvel Studios to reboot the franchise and create a more cohesive storyline that would fit seamlessly into their Multiverse.

Future Possibilities

Since the rights have now reverted back to Marvel, there are now genuine possibilities for a series of sequels that can stand alone or tie into the Multiverse. The Grey Hulk and Red Hulk offer tantalizing possibilities for Powers and Story Arcs. This opens the door for a more intriguing narrative that could explore the different aspects of Bruce Banner's psyche and the implications of different forms of the Hulk.

The Grey Hulk represents an alternate self of Bruce Banner, while the Red Hulk offers a dark and menacing iteration of the character, both of which could provide compelling storylines. These sequels would not only satisfy fans of the character but also advance the Multiverse's narrative and provide a rich tapestry of superhero entertainment.

Conclusion

While the reacquisition of the rights to Hulk in June 2023 brings renewed excitement, it also offers a wealth of untapped potential. Marvel Studios now stands at the beginning of a new chapter, one that can build upon the foundational work done by Universal and create a more compelling and cohesive series of films featuring Bruce Banner and his alter ego, the Hulk. This new opportunity opens doors for rich stories and exciting narrative arcs that can captivate audiences and expand the Romance and Action within the Marvel Universe.