Why did the 'The Hulk' films fail? Kenneth Johnson feels THIS is the reason
Kenneth Johnson
, the creator of the classic 1977–1982 television series '
The Incredible Hulk
,' delivered a grounded, character-driven adaptation that resonated with audiences. The show, starring Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, focused on emotional storytelling and the humanity of its central character, which Johnson felt was key to its success.
The CGI dilemma in Hulk films
Speaking to BANG Showbiz, Johnson has openly criticized the solo Hulk films- Ang Lee's 2003 'Hulk' and Louis Leterrier's 2008 'The Incredible Hulk '- for their reliance on CGI, arguing that audiences struggled to accept a computer-generated Hulk interacting with live-action actors. He compared the effect to suddenly inserting a real human into a 3D animated film like 'Shrek,' saying, 'your brain is, 'No, it's not the same genre, you can't do that'".
Box office fallout and audience disconnect
The 2003 'Hulk' movie had a strong opening but suffered a historic 75–80% drop in box office sales by its second week. Johnson recalled, 'Folks saw it and said, 'Oh no, this is not it,'' attributing the decline to the jarring disparity between the CGI Hulk and the realistic human characters. The 2008 reboot with Edward Norton initially showed promise, focusing more on the character's humanity, but ultimately disappointed when trailers revealed a CGI-heavy Hulk, breaking the tone and connection with viewers.
Why did Hulk work in the Avengers?
Johnson believes the Hulk finally succeeded in 2012's 'The Avengers' because he was placed among other comic book characters. In this ensemble setting, the Hulk's larger-than-life presence felt more natural, as he was no longer the only fantastical element in a realistic world.
Classic moments and enduring influence
Johnson recounted being at the 2003 'Hulk' premiere, where the audience's only positive reaction came when Eric Bana delivered a variation of the TV show's iconic line: 'Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.' The rest of the film, according to Johnson, failed to connect, reinforcing his point about the importance of character-driven storytelling over spectacle.
Johnson's Broader Sci-Fi Legacy
Beyond 'Hulk,' Johnson's influence continues with projects like his 1983 miniseries V, which recently inspired a new audio drama. Through his reflections on Hollywood's 'CGI addiction,' Johnson emphasizes that it's character and story-not visual effects-that create lasting impact.
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