Ever since ‘The Avengers’ hit theaters, the public has been demanding more Hulk. Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Bruce Banner’s jolly green alter ego captured audiences everywhere, so of course everyone was anxious to know what was next for the character. One possibility was a television show from Guillermo Del Toro. The filmmaker has been talking about it for quite some time and he’s really gung ho to do it, but the latest chatter on the project might indicate that it is no longer on the table.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Head of Marvel TV Jeph Loeb sat down with MTV during their livestream to discuss a number of things and the topic of Del Toro’s Hulk series came up. Here’s what went down:
Loeb did not say the series was dead, but that it is “on pause.” Adding that “the world of TV is about timing” and they need to wait for the right time, the right project, right place.
The report also reminded us that despite being pretty much ready to go on this and telling every media outlet who’d listen that it was still in the works, GDT revealed that talks about the show had ceased:
“I met with Jeph Loeb after ‘Avengers,’ but after that meeting, there’s been complete radio silence on the show. It’s very frustrating for me and for the fans that we don’t know…I haven’t heard anything in months about the show, but obviously ‘Avengers’ is a game-changer for Marvel. It’s their property, and if I don’t make it, at least I’ll watch it.”
Sure, the always-angry Avenger will be seen on TV in ‘Hulk and the Agents of SMASH’ and ‘Avengers Assemble’, but fans (especially Del Toro) would love for the character to return to his live action roots. However, there’s a chance that this show is “on pause” due to the rumor of an ‘Incredible Hulk’ sequel.
Earlier this week, rumors surfaced saying that the Hulk’s next solo film could be based on the Marvel NOW title ‘Indestructible Hulk’. Maybe when that idea entered the fray, which could have been before the radio silence, the Marvel execs didn’t want to saturate the market with too much live action Hulk at one time. Like Loeb said, it’s all about timing. That said, maybe Marvel Studios will wait and see how ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ does first and then allow Ruffalo to fulfill his obligations with the character before taking Hulk to the small screen and in a different direction with Del Toro. Time will tell on this one.
Basically, what this comes down to is that a Hulk TV show could still happen and Guillermo Del Toro might still be involved, but it’s just not going to happen any time soon. Are you bummed about this news? Do you think this hasn’t happened yet because Marvel has even bigger plans for the Hulk in the movies? Share your theories in the comment section.
