The Incredible Hulk almost opened with a significantly different scene, and in hindsight, swapping it for a safer option was a wise choice. When the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) began in 2008, Iron Man premiered as the franchise’s first film. Shortly after, The Incredible Hulk, featuring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, hit theaters. This helped lay a strong foundation for a connected universe. To achieve this, certain elements needed to be intertwined.
Fast forward to today, the MCU has evolved into a powerhouse, delivering numerous releases annually. However, during its early days, things felt much more delicate. Examining what was originally intended as the film’s opening, it’s clear that The Incredible Hulk may not have resonated as powerfully or cohesively with audiences, potentially leading to disastrous outcomes. Luckily, the original scene was replaced by one depicting Bruce Banner working in a factory, where a drop of his blood contaminates the products being processed.
The Incredible Hulk Opening On Bruce Banner’s Saddest Scene Would Have Been A Hard Opening
The Tone Of The MCU Was Still Forming At This Early Stage
Initially, The Incredible Hulk included a scene where Bruce Banner ventured into a lonely, snow-covered forest. Upon reaching a high point, he contemplated taking his own life, burdened by the immense stress of his destructive alter ego. Just before he could follow through, the Hulk emerged, causing chaos in his surroundings.
While this opening carries emotional weight, it also lacks context, as viewers hadn’t yet built a connection with the characters or their struggles. Although the premise is undeniably tragic, such moments hold far more weight when viewers witness the character development leading up to them. At this stage, the MCU was still finding its voice, and a tone this gloomy would have been quite jarring for the audience.
Cutting The Incredible Hulk’s Initial Opening Scene Seems To Have Been The Right Move
The Replacement Opener Was A Much Better Choice
Eliminating this scene permits the film to dive straight into the unfolding plot. The initial sequence sets up Bruce as a responsible and anxious individual trying to maintain composure, building a clearer picture of his character. Bruce had been without a Hulk incident for a while at the start of The Incredible Hulk, and this time gap adds layers of curiosity about his previous experiences.
Shifting the narrative away from such a dramatic opening allowed for a smoother progression throughout the movie, aligning its tone with both preceding and subsequent films. This strategic change helped preserve the integrity of the character and the greater MCU, steering it clear of what could have been a catastrophic misstep.
The Avengers Reference To The Incredible Hulk’s Opening Scene Is A Fair Compromise
It Ultimately Made The MCU Even More Connected
Even though this scene never made it to the big screen, it remains significant in the character’s lore. In The Avengers, released four years later, Mark Ruffalo took on the role of Bruce Banner. Despite major storyline changes and uncertainties surrounding the extent to which The Incredible Hulk integrated into the MCU—especially since it was produced by Universal—there’s an acknowledgment of this deleted scene. Bruce reflects on one of his darkest life moments.
This connection works seamlessly, integrating the narrative into the larger MCU.
Bruce has been grappling with the repercussions of gamma radiation transforming him into a monstrous figure, and after enduring significant losses, he attempted to take his own life. Yet, the Hulk’s presence prevents Bruce from pursuing that path, always ready to step in during moments of crisis. This narrative thread deftly ties the movie into the MCU while preserving the emotional gravity of the moment, ensuring it belongs within the franchise rather than attempting to open The Incredible Hulk with such a heavy moment.