Could Planet Hulk Be in the Works? - Page 2
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3. It's Dark
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3. It's Dark
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Even though Age of Ultron promises to be darker than its predecessors, Marvel movies have always set themselves apart from their DC counterparts by striking a lighter tone. While Batman broods and Superman snaps necks, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America all seem to have fun, even at their tensest moments. One of the things that made The Avengers work is that it didn't try to take itself too seriously, and Marvel seems to be taking an even stronger light-hearted approach when it comes to Guardians of the Galaxy. Given all this, it's hard to see how Planet Hulk could work, because it's a story about exile, violence, and revenge.
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3. It's an Unconventional Hulk Story
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3. It's an Unconventional Hulk Story
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Guardians of the Galaxy is poised to be a huge hit this Friday, if all the hype and reviews are to be believed. Many (including this unapologetic geek) have argued that Guardians is Marvel Studio's greatest gamble to date, since it features characters few people know and a story that is balls-to-the-wall out there. But if Guardians winds up being as big as Marvel wants it to be, then it proves that geek audiences are far more accepting of comic book craziness than ever before. If anything, they are hungry for it. Planet Hulk is certainly crazy, but it's the kind of crazy with which comic book fans have already fallen in love. It's the most popular Hulk storyline in a generation, and a large part of that is probably due to how far it strays from how we picture the Hulk. If I am correct in blaming the failure of previous Hulk films on their familiarity, Planet Hulk might actually be less of a gamble than a movie in which Mark Ruffalo runs through the countryside trying to keep the Hulk under control.
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4. Mark Ruffalo has Pretty Much Shot it Down
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4. Mark Ruffalo has Pretty Much Shot it Down
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Probably the most damning bit of evidence against Planet Hulk is what Mark Ruffalo had to say recently about the subject. "Planet Hulk?" he said, "I don't think that's the way to go yet. I think you need more Banner." Granted, it isn't ultimately up to Mark Ruffalo what Marvel chooses to do next, but still, with his publically voiced opposition to the project, it seems unlikely that such a movie is already coming down the pike.
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4. The Sakaarans Appear in Guardians of the Galaxy
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4. The Sakaarans Appear in Guardians of the Galaxy
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Planet Hulk takes place on Sakaar, and thus features a race known as the Sakaarans. The Sakaarans aren't seen much outside of Planet Hulk. However, we already know, just from the previews, that the Sakaarans are going to be in Guardians, in place of the Badoon. The simplest explanation for the replacement is that the rights to the Badoon belong to Fox, but even then, why would Marvel choose the Sakaarans over any of the many other races they have on hand if not to set up the possibility of Planet Hulk?
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5. It's Already Been Done
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5. It's Already Been Done
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Marvel Animated Features already released a Planet Hulk film in 2010, and that seems to fit the storyline better than a live-action movie ever could. It's unlikely that Marvel would start planning a live-action remake so quickly after its release. Then again, we already know Doctor Strange is coming.
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5. Planet Hulk is the Best-Selling Marvel Animated Feature
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5. Planet Hulk is the Best-Selling Marvel Animated Feature
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I mentioned that Planet Hulk has already been done, but what I failed to mention is that, of the eight Mavel Animated Features, it's the biggest money-maker, beating out both Ultimate Avengers films, Doctor Strange, and The Invincible Iron Man. The second highest grossing? Hulk Versus, the precursor to Planet Hulk. It sure seems that Marvel fans love the Hulk, even if they didn't buy too many tickets to see Edward Norton's version.
With Guardians of the Galaxy coming out in a couple of days and practically guaranteed to end the summer with a box office bang, it is now officially foolish to doubt Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige. Sure, I have my concerns about things like the departure of Edgar Wright from Ant-Man and talk of the Inhumans and Ms. Marvel getting green-lit, but I had my concerns about Thor, The Avengers, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which were all proven spectacularly wrong. I'm not here to tell Marvel what to do, because they are doing just fine without my advice so far. All I'm trying to do is read the tea leaves and offer just a single, tantalizing possibility.
In the end, I will leave you with this simple acknowledgement: the Hulk has always been my favorite Marvel superhero, and I would personally love to see a live-action Planet Hulk. I don't doubt that this makes me less than objective on the subject.
-e. magill 7/30/2014
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