After the 2003 film Hulk, Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the character, and writer Zak Penn began work on a loose sequel that would be closer to the comics and the television series. Norton rewrote the script after he signed on to star, severing ties to its predecessor by retelling the origin story in flashbacks and revelations. Filming took place primarily in Toronto, Canada in 2007, and the film's crew went to great lengths to reduce the production's carbon emissions. Letterier's direction aimed to make the monsters look more realistic and frightening. He redesigned the Abomination, who in the comics is a reptilian KGB agent, into a mutant soldier.

Premise:
Bruce Banner is a fugitive in South America, trying to cure the condition that turns him into the Hulk. He is being pursued by the United States Army, led by General "Thunderbolt" Ross and Emil Blonsky, who want to use his power. Blonsky himself repeats the accident that gave Banner his powers, but when he discovers he is unable to change back into human form, he blames Banner and seeks his revenge.

Louis Leterrier said that he planned to show Bruce Banner's struggle with the monster within him. Producer Kevin Feige added the film would explore "that element of wish fulfillment, of overcoming an injustice or a bully and tapping into a strength that you didn't quite realize you had in yourself". Avi Arad also said the film would be "a lot more of a love story between Bruce Banner and Betty Ross".

Cast:
Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner / The Hulk: A genius scientist who, because of exposure to gamma radiation coupled with childhood trauma, transforms into the Hulk when stressed or enraged. Eric Bana turned down reprising the role, as he viewed the first film as a one-off opportunity. The filmmakers were interested in Norton because he reminded them of Bill Bixby, who played Banner in the TV series. Lou Ferrigno, who played the Hulk with Bixby, stated that Norton reminded him of the actor, as "He has a similar physique, [and a] similar personality." Zak Penn also compared Norton's character in Fight Club to that of Banner.

Norton was a Hulk fan, citing his first comic book appearances, the TV show and Bruce Jones' run on the comic as his favorite depictions of the character. He had expressed interest in the role for the first film. He initially turned down the part for this film, recalling "there [was] the wince factor or the defensive part of you that recoils at what the bad version of what that would be," as he felt the previous film "strayed far afield from a story that was familiar to people, [...] which is a fugitive story". When he met Letterier and Marvel though, he liked their vision, and believed they were looking to him to guide the project too. 

Thus, Norton rewrote the script. "Norton's script has given Bruce's story real gravitas," Letterier said. "Admittedly I'm not the most adult director, but just because we're making a superhero movie it doesn't have to just appeal to 13-year old boys. Ed and I both see superheroes as the new Greek gods."

Liv Tyler as Betty Ross: Bruce's girlfriend, whom he is separated from due to his condition. Tyler replaced actress Jennifer Connelly, who portrayed Betty Ross in the 2003 film Hulk. Tyler was attracted to the love story in the script, and was a fan of the TV show, because of the "humanity and what [Banner] is going through". She said filming the part "was very physical, which was fun for me. I got to do a whole bunch of action stuff I'd never done, [like] running in front of tanks".

Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky: A soldier who exposes himself to gamma radiation to gain the Hulk's powers. Unable to change back into human form, he seeks his revenge on Banner. Roth described playing the role as fun, and making the film was about pleasing his sons. He stated, "Pure, on set, all I'm asking is, 'Okay, this has got to be a cool shot for my kids, all right? Am I going to look cool in this shot?' It's truly about that for me, completely about that." The director is a fan of Roth, noting "it's great watching a normal Cockney boy become a superhero!" However, Marvel and Norton were initially reluctant to cast him.

The character is known as the "Abomination" in the comics, but Zak Penn considered this name too silly, and he will only be referred to as Blonsky on screen. William Hurt as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross: Betty's father, who has dedicated himself to capturing the Hulk. Letterier cast Hurt because "Ross is more physical, more explosive in this movie, and no actor goes from zero to 100 as well as William." He compared Ross to Captain Ahab. The Hulk is Hurt's favorite superhero, and his son is also a big fan of the character. Hurt found production very different from the typical "pure anxiety" of a studio movie, finding it more akin to an independent movie. 

He described Ross as "humiliated by Hulk's conscience: he actually sees and recognizes that it's more developed than his own, even though he's a patriot and a warrior for his country. He's sacrificed [much] for that purpose, but at the expense at times of his humanity — which he occasionally recovers." Sam Elliott would have liked to reprise the role, noting it was odd seeing someone take his part, "but I'll be looking forward to seeing this one".
Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns: A scientist.

Ty Burrell as Dr. Leonard Samson: A psychotherapist who tries to help Banner rid himself of the Hulk. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark: Downey will have debuted in the role in Iron Man, as part of Marvel Studios' effort to depict the same Marvel Universe on film. He will share a scene opposite General Ross.

Hulk co-creator Stan Lee has yet to shoot his cameo appearance, as he was unable to organize his schedule to fly to Toronto during principal photography. However, a pick-up may be scheduled for him during February or March 2008 in Los Angeles, in order to film his cameo. Lou Ferrigno and Michael K. Williams also cameo. Norton wrote a role for Williams because he is a fan of The Wire.

Music:
Marvel has bought the rights to "The Lonely Man Theme" from the TV series. The piano piece was composed by Joe Harnell and was used over the end credits to represent Banner's never-ending search for inner peace.On February 14, 2008, it was announced that Craig Armstrong would compose the original score for the film.

Sequel:
Samuel Sterns, played by Tim Blake Nelson was introduced to set him up as a villain in a future film, where he would become the Leader. Norton said, "The whole thing was to envision it in multiple parts. We left a lot out on purpose. [The Incredible Hulk is] definitely intended as chapter one."

In addition, Marvel Studios is keen to have Norton reprise the role in an adaptation of The Avengers. Iron Man director Jon Favreau said "[Marvel is] pretty clear on wanting to do it with the actors who’ve established the roles or to not do it at all."

GOOD LINKS TO VISIT:

• Official site
• Wikipedia Article