The Incredible Hulk
Movie, 2008, Phase 1, Set in 2011
The Incredible Hulk is #2 of 69 in release order and #5 of 69 in chronological order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The story
Scientist Bruce Banner scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.
The Incredible Hulk recap
Bruce Banner hides in Brazil, working at a bottling plant, practising breathing techniques to keep the Hulk down and searching for a cure with an online contact called Mr. Blue. A drop of his blood ends up in a bottle, and General Thaddeus Ross tracks him down with a team that includes Emil Blonsky, a soldier who wants a real fight. The Hulk escapes. Banner returns to Culver University and finds Betty Ross, the general's daughter, and Blonsky, now boosted with a version of the super soldier serum, attacks the Hulk again and is badly beaten. Banner and Betty reach New York, where Mr. Blue turns out to be Dr. Samuel Sterns, whose treatment seems to work. Ross captures Banner. Blonsky forces Sterns to give him Banner's blood and becomes the Abomination, tearing through Harlem, while a drop of the blood falls into a cut on Sterns's head.
The Incredible Hulk ending explained
Banner jumps from Ross's helicopter to change into the Hulk on purpose and defeats the Abomination, choking him with a chain before sparing him at Betty's plea. The Hulk flees. Weeks later, in British Columbia, Banner is seen beginning to control the change. In the final scene, Tony Stark meets General Ross in a bar and tells him a team is being put together.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene; the Tony Stark meeting with General Ross plays just before the credits.
Where to watch The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes 68%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Iron Man, before Iron Man 2.
- Chronological order: after Iron Man, before Iron Man 2.
What to watch before The Incredible Hulk
Iron Man (2008), which The Incredible Hulk (2008) continues. The Incredible Hulk itself is optional in the Marvel Cinematic Universe order.
Cast
- Edward Norton as Bruce Banner
- Liv Tyler as Betty Ross
- Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky
- William Hurt as General 'Thunderbolt' Ross
- Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns
- Ty Burrell as Leonard
- Christina Cabot as Major Kathleen Sparr
- Peter Mensah as General Joe Greller
- Lou Ferrigno as Voice of The Incredible Hulk / Security Guard
- Paul Soles as Stanley
- Débora Nascimento as Martina
- Greg Bryk as Commando
Directed by Louis Leterrier.