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Welcome to the main discussion thread for the Marvel Cinematic Universe! This pinned post is here to establish some basic guidelines. All of the Media Forum rules still apply.

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    Original post 
Since Thor and now Captain America came out this year, I wanted to get what Tropers thought of the concept and execution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general. Personally I love the idea and wonder why this idea hasn't been seriously tried before. It sorta seems to me like the DCAU in movie form (And well, ummm, with Marvel), and really 'gets' the comic book feel of a shared universe while not being completely alienating.

Edited by Mrph1 on Jul 29th 2024 at 3:09:00 PM

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#37351: Jul 7th 2015 at 12:08:18 PM

I would say that both War Machine and the new Bruce Banner have proven, if anything, that Marvel can pretty easily employ The Other Darrin without negatively impacting their productions. I don't see why they wouldn't do it more in the future.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#37352: Jul 7th 2015 at 12:18:29 PM

[up]Depends on the character...it worked with War Machine because the role was so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter...some for blond Warrior guy (yeah, I can't even remember his name). With Norton and Ruffalo it was more difficult, but more or less the only option they had. But can you imagine replacing RDJ, SJ, or a Chris? I can't. If Marvel hadn't managed to come to an agreement with RDJ, I am ready to bet that the suits have been stayed destroyed.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#37353: Jul 7th 2015 at 12:21:14 PM

I can imagine it just fine. There will be massive fan outcry and butthurt feelings all over the internet. Then the first movie will come out with the new actor, it will be great, and everyone will shut up and start talking about how great the new actor is.

Exactly like what happened when Howard and Norton were replaced.

Or, on the other side of the line, exactly like what happens every time DC gets a new Batman.

edited 7th Jul '15 12:22:23 PM by TobiasDrake

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
comicwriter Since: Sep, 2011
#37354: Jul 7th 2015 at 12:26:36 PM

RDJ is much more associated with the role than either Terrence Howard or Ed Norton were. Howard got the boot after just one movie (and BEFORE he even became an actual superhero), ditto for Norton. And in that case Ruffalo had the added benefit of the Hulk movie not being particularly well liked or successful, so there wasn't a hell of a lot of push from people wanting to keep Norton in the role.

It's telling that Feige keeps hinting they wouldn't have a problem replacing RDJ, and yet somehow, Robert keeps getting paid absurd amounts of money to reprise his role.

edited 7th Jul '15 12:32:07 PM by comicwriter

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#37355: Jul 7th 2015 at 12:31:19 PM

Plus, Dr. Banner is not what most fans want to see...they want to see the Hulk. Personally I find dr. Banner more interesting, but he is not what draws people into the theatres.

windleopard from Nigeria Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
#37356: Jul 7th 2015 at 1:46:49 PM

Plus, Dr. Banner is not what most fans want to see..

I never understood why fans complain when a movie focuses on the civilian i.d as opposed to the hero. I liked that the 2003 Hulk film made Banner as much of a character as the Hulk.

higherbrainpattern Since: Apr, 2012
#37357: Jul 7th 2015 at 1:49:22 PM

More Christine Everhart!

edited 7th Jul '15 1:50:44 PM by higherbrainpattern

comicwriter Since: Sep, 2011
#37358: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:10:59 PM

[up][up]Someone summed up the problem as, most people want to see the Hulk, but the entire premise of Banner as a character revolves around fighting against the Hulk and trying to get rid of it. The reason Avengers struck such a nice balance is because they finally had him accepting the Hulk as a force for good, which is also why some people disliked the plot development of him becoming a hated fugitive again by the end of AOU.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#37359: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:11:53 PM

[up][up] The Hulk has always had this problem of being a one-trick pony with the exception of a few storylines, which is probably everyone says he works better on a team. I wouldn't mind a Banner-centric movie either, especially with Ruffalo in the seat.

windleopard from Nigeria Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
#37360: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:14:47 PM

yeah the Hulk doesn't have much personality beyond being angry and that can get old real fast.

Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#37361: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:15:40 PM

EMH and Assemble manage to do more with Hulk than that

Even if it involved tiny crystal animals

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
SonOfSharknado Love is Love is Love Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Love is Love is Love
#37362: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:17:29 PM

It also involved Bruce Banner not existing.

My various fanfics.
windleopard from Nigeria Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
#37363: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:22:30 PM

[up][up]I've heard some people preferred EMH for having equal focus to Banner and Hulk whereas AA is all "I want smash".

SonOfSharknado Love is Love is Love Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Love is Love is Love
#37364: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:26:17 PM

Earth's Mightiest Heroes did literally everything better than Avengers Assemble.

My various fanfics.
comicwriter Since: Sep, 2011
#37365: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:26:26 PM

EMH didn't have much focus on Banner at all. In fact he's effectively Put on a Bus at the start of the show and only appears sporadically (like when Hulk is depowered or captured).

The difference was their Hulk was smarter than the movie version so you're able to do more stuff with him.

edited 7th Jul '15 2:27:11 PM by comicwriter

Mukora Uniocular from a place Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: I made a point to burn all of the photographs
Uniocular
#37366: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:33:21 PM

In their defense, kids most likely don't actually want to see Bruce Banner all the time. They want Hulk.

So, making Hulk more intelligent so you don't need Banner makes sense to me.

"It's so hard to be humble, knowing how great I am."
SonOfSharknado Love is Love is Love Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Love is Love is Love
#37367: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:34:54 PM

At least Banner had a scene or two. At least we got to see that Bruce got one day a week to himself. At least there was a Bruce Banner voice actor.

Avengers Assemble's Banner straight-up DOES NOT EXIST.

My various fanfics.
Mukora Uniocular from a place Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: I made a point to burn all of the photographs
Uniocular
#37368: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:37:45 PM

"Avengers Assemble is bad and does a thing poorly" shouldn't really be news to anyone.

"It's so hard to be humble, knowing how great I am."
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#37369: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:37:46 PM

That is, ultimately, the conflict in depicting the Hulk.

Make the Hulk too destructive and violent and you upset the character's fans, who know him as a hero. Make the Hulk too heroic and you undermine Banner's quest to rid himself of the Hulk as well as the base concept of the giant green rage monster, thus rendering the entire character of Banner superfluous and turning the Hulk into a one-dimensional force of good.

It's hard to strike a good balance between Murderous Destroyer Hulk and Selfless Messiah Hulk to keep the character interesting.

edited 7th Jul '15 2:38:34 PM by TobiasDrake

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
comicwriter Since: Sep, 2011
#37370: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:41:40 PM

In their defense, kids most likely don't actually want to see Bruce Banner all the time. They want Hulk.

Oh I don't disagree at all, I was simply saying that's why it's hard to find a good balance in the movies.

Hodor2 Since: Jan, 2015
#37371: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:44:49 PM

[up][up] I feel like the MCU films do a good job with this, as while mind control was involved both times, they've showcased the Hulk being destructive and indiscriminately violent. While they do of course have the requisite "cool Hulk scenes", the destructive moments are a good way of making it so the audience doesn't want the Hulk to appear. Also helps that Mark Ruffalo is an engaging screen presence.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#37372: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:45:15 PM

When you say AA Banner doesn't exist do you mean they never show him or is the Hulk somehow entirely separate?

SonOfSharknado Love is Love is Love Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Love is Love is Love
#37373: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:47:18 PM

They never show him, and I don't think he's ever even mentioned. Hulk just walks around, relaxing, going bowling and eating sandwiches. Things he shouldn't be able to do.

My various fanfics.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#37374: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:48:52 PM

Well he could still exist. I take it they never mention Banner though.

spashthebandragon thebandragoness from USA Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
thebandragoness
#37375: Jul 7th 2015 at 2:57:59 PM

If Banner existed in Avengers Assembled, I don't think Hulk would be able to "relax" without turning back into Banner. Unless... unless Hulk's stuck somehow so that he can never transform back into Banner ever again.

edited 7th Jul '15 2:58:51 PM by spashthebandragon

I've got fanfics for Frozen, Spectacular Spider-Man, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro the Dragon.

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