Why Wouldn’t There Be An Incredible Hulk Sequel?
I’ve seen a number of articles now wondering if there will be a sequel to The Incredible Hulk. I really don’t understand why there is so much negativity attached to the Hulk franchise.
A few months ago people were speculating that the movie would suck and I went so far as to state flat out that it wouldn’t, just based on the talent involved. I was right. Now everyone is pouring over the box office figures and speculating that there may not be a sequel.
The argument goes like this. Hulk cost $137 million to make and grossed approximately $245.4 million worldwide. The Incredible Hulk cost approximately $150 million to make (if you allow for inflation then it was a cheaper movie) and has so far grossed approximately $221.9 million worldwide. Before it is done it will likely surpass Hulk but if you adjust for inflation, Hulk will have made more money. Yet Hulk didn’t get a sequel (Incredible is a reboot 5 years later) so why would Incredible Hulk get a sequel?
Image by aslinth via Flickr
The problem with this argument is that it assumes box office is the only factor. It isn’t, and if it was you wouldn’t have had a Star Trek movie in the last decade.
The reality is that even before you account DVD sales, both Hulk movies have made some sort of profit. Through in merchandising (the original Hulk Hands were a huge success) and they made plenty money.
It’s hard to get accurate figures for old DVD sales (if anyone has a source please let me know). The only numbers I could come up with were a figure of $61.1 million for US DVD/VHS sales of Hulk in 2003. And that’s off a movie that had horrible word of mouth. I’d be willing to bet that with the greater market penetration of DVD, the supposed 70 minutes of extra footage and the fact people like this one, it’s DVD sales will be bigger.
And don’t forget that Incredible Hulk hasn’t actually finished it’s run in the theaters yet. It strikes me it’s far too soon to be suggesting it might not get a sequel.
The reality is that Hulk had a ton of good will going in, but Incredible Hulk didn’t. That it stands to make as much or more than it’s predecessor makes it a clear cut success.
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3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Sam
There has been a lot of speculation on this subject. However, as the Slice of SciFi article states, this time it is coming from Marvel Studios, the owner of the franchise, and not just fans or the press.
Jul 10th, 2008
Eoghann
Hmm, that’s really not what it says. They state that “having a sequel is not the definition of success”.
That might fuel speculation (since it could be interpreted as downplaying the chance of a sequel), but it strikes me as more of a reaction to the repeated questions about whether there will be a sequel.
The whole situation just reeks to me of an internet created fuss about nothing. I doubt Marvel has the faintest idea yet whether there will be a sequel.
Jul 10th, 2008
Jon
Well clearly there should be an Incredible Hulk sequel. Not only is it a profitable brand. The movie was very good, so they will probably make more money from a sequel.
Aug 22nd, 2008
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