Those excited by the talk of a Planet Hulk movie which has been circling the internet and tantalising fans everywhere may be a tad disappointed by a recent development.
Speculation began when concept art for Hulkbuster armor and a rumour issued by Latino Review suggested that The Avengers 2 would be Hulk-centric and would then lead in to a Phase 3 Planet Hulk movie. While speaking to IGN however, Joss Whedon has seemed to crush any chance of that. When asked about the validity of the rumour, rather than simply denying it, Whedon called the idea “nonsense”, stating: “Well I’m really not supposed to comment, but no, that’s nonsense.”
Although these kind of denials are not unusual and Marvel would of course want to keep things quiet, the way in Whedon responded was quite telling I feel. But we shall see – Mark Ruffalo is signed on for 6 films and there is the Hulkbuster armor in the new Iron Man 3 trailer. Marvel have long term plans so whilst it may not be on the agenda just yet I wouldn’t be surprised if inside the Marvel vault is a plan for Phases 4 and 5 which could potentially produce that Planet Hulk film.
Speaking with Time Out London for their latest issue, Whedon also discussed his ideas for the future, and I have to say I love the sound of it: “I’ve got the next story [for The Avengers 2], and it’s a corker. I haven’t even been thinking in terms of superhero movies. The films I’ve been thinking about are The Godfather Part II and The Empire Strikes Back. Those are the stars by which I chart my course.”
Love it! This is exactly the kind of thinking we should be demanding from the people involved with these franchises – thinking bigger than “comic book movie” and aiming as high as they can. Bring it on, sir.
Originally published March 6, 2013. Updated December 13, 2019.
