Updated: Is 'Avengers' Hulk Really 'Substationally Different" From Other Movie Hulks?

With Will the Hulk design for the Avengers movie be that much different from the past two movies? Yes, but not the way he says.

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and producer of The Avengers (2012)  in an interview with "Hero Complex" said the following:

It will be as different as "The Incredible Hulk" was from Ang Lee's "Hulk" in terms of its look and design, but it is Hulk.
As you can already see in that concept painting, it is — more than any Hulk that's ever been done in live action — a Hulk that let's you see the actor in there. You will be able to see Ruffalo in there. That was a big revelation for us. It's just a concept painting, but in that you can see the [influence of Marvel Comics pioneer and original Hulk artist Jack] Kirby, as people have already pointed out, but also, and equally important in this case, Ruffalo's eyes and his cheek structure. It is him.
So how different will the Avenger's Hulk be? He's implying that other Hulk's haven't really looked like the actor. Is that true?


Hulk (2003) with Eric Bana
Artist: James Carson


This looks quite a bit like Eric Bana. They widened his jaw and shortened his nose a bit. The eyebrow ridge is more pronounced and his jaw is much larger than his real one. The entire face looks like it was blown up like a balloon.

The Incredible Hulk (2008) with Edward Norton
Artist: Unknown (Aaron Sims Company)
This Hulk looks less cartoony than the first one. His face isn't as exaggerated as the first one, but he looks a lot less like the actor Edward Norton. Mainly because Norton's face is much narrower. The face is very hulk-like, but not as Norton-like. Notice they got rid of the crooked nose too.

The Avengers (2011) with Mark Ruffalo
Artist: Charlie Wen (Marvel)

Its hard to tell from this angle, but at first glance it looks like they took the same liberties as they did with the other films. Eyebrow ridge is larger. Nose is shorter. When you look closer though, you do see some changes.

Ruffalo's face is thicker, so it's easier to bulk it out. His jawline, while larger, isn't that much larger. The same with most of his features. He still looks like the traditional Hulk, but his face doesn't change as much.

It's possible that they chose him specifically because his face lends itself to the distortion. I've never done casting or concept design though. So, who knows?

In the end, it is different, but mainly because the actors face is Hulk-like.
Update: In the book Art of Marvel's The Avengers there was a quote from Ryan Meinderding that supports my viewpoint.

Joss really pushed us to take some of the cuses from those early Hulks and combine them with Mark Ruffalo's features. At first, we couldn't see how that would work - but he was dead-on in that direction. Mark's face really lends itself to hulking out, and we affectionally called the design "Hulkalo."
What do you think? Is it really a "different" Hulk?

Comments

  1. Great to see this! Some nice work.

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  2. The Hulk is The Hulk...it's not important that we see the actor's resemblance. He's never looked like the actor who plays Bruce Banner or even like the comic Banner.


    If the artist decides to make him look like the actor, then that will add a bit of originality to the overall design, but it makes no difference when we watch The Hulk "Hulk-out".

    What is important is that he doesn't look like a cartoon in a live action world.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JP that's a great point. In the end, most Hulks look like alike when he changes.

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  4. NotThatGuyAgain125April 27, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    The second movie has a better look i think, he didn't really look like a ravaging animal or a "big dumb" hulk. i think this new hulk is a step back from The Incredible Hulk movie.

    ReplyDelete
  5.  Thanks Benton. Lots of talented artists on these.

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  6. NotThatGuyAgain125, you make a good point. The look of the different Hulk's matched they're differing personalities. The Incredible Hulk had the smartest Hulk so far. The TV Hulk definitely looked the stupidest. Which is closer to the comics I wonder?
     

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  7. personally I like/prefer the Avengers Hulk, the 1st hulk was too "good looking" not very aggressive looking although the CGI was done VERY WELL. the 2nd "hulk, they seriously got the realism down to a science, also done VERY WELL DONE & most certainly more aggressive looking, but to me, it lacked a quality the Avengers Hulk, lends back to the Hulk what he lacked in the other 2...The Hulk is a Comic Book character & thus, in the Avengers (at least in my perspective) Hulk looks more like the comic book Hulk as he was 1st drawn...more bulky, more exaggerated in features (brow line, chin etc..) with the updated Hulk blended in (when he learned to speak & control it)..when Banner "hulks out" it's his rage that is exaggerated, as such so should his appearance. the 1st 2 Hulks didn't grasp the Hulk as well as the Avengers Hulk did in regards to how he was originally drawn.
    Granted, this is all my opinion..I was more a fan of the 1st hulk movie than the 2nd, tho I will agree the 2nd was done with more realism. Now that I have seen the Avengers Hulk, he is now MY personal favorite

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  8. Jeff, you make some great points. From what I've read they based this Hulk on Jack Kirby comic designs. So, no wonder he looks more like the comic.

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  9. The Hulk has always been my favorite...even as a kid.  My dad's lost several flower pots and such from me turning into The Hulk as early as age 2!


    The Avengers kicked ass! I knew they'd give The Hulk his due screen time and make him save the day!


    HULK SMASH!!!!!

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  10.  JP, the movie is amazing. They really gave hulk a lot to do and he was hilarious in some scenes.

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  11. The Avengers Hulk is the traditional hulk, think Jack Kirby style.
    Incredible hulk looks all stringy and veiny, like a Rob Liefield hulk.
    And the first hulk is chubbier and more curved, like an Ed McGuinness Hulk.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Werner, that's a great breakdown of the comic book styles. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
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