RUMOR: Next HULK Film Taking Cues From INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK And Coming 2016-2017?

While rumblings of a new Hulk film have been going on since Mark Ruffalo's breakout performance in Avengers. Joss Whedon and Mark talked about collaborating on it's script a while back. Talk of it's direction is seemingly going in a different direction than previously reported. Apparently, CBM is hearing from Marvel sources that Planet Hulk/World War Hulk isn't Marvel's current plan for the big green guy. Instead they might be looking at Marvel Now's run of Indestructible Hulk where Bruce Banner joins S.H.I.E.L.D. in exchange to help fund worthwhile science projects that will benefit society making up for his destructive ways. Having Banner/Hulk as the hero rather than the man on the run seems unique enough that the studio could really make a unique installment.

This may be the reason Banner shows up in the end credits scene in Iron Man 3. Since Marvel's button scenes tend to lead into the next big thing ala Fury-Avengers/Thanos-Guardians. While Doctor Strange is on the horizon for Phase Three an official release date hasn't been given. Along with the fact the studio has slotted two unnamed films for 2016 and one unknown for 2017. It's expected that Avengers 3 won't be happening until 2018. It's possible Marvel will announce three-four films that could be released between Ant-Man and Avengers 3. The fate of Strange, Black Panther and Inhumans hasn't been made public by the studio just yet. A new Hulk film taking over slot that would have been for Iron Man 4 makes some sense as well.

Marvel Sets Second 2016 Release Date For July 8th, Could This Mean We'll Be Seeing INHUMANS, BLACK PANTHER Or INCREDIBLE HULK 2 In 2016?

Marvel has announced a second unnamed film will be released in 2016. This one is set for July 8th and it's anyone's guess which of the many in development projects will be chosen for the slot. It was recently revealed that Doctor Strange could be Marvel's Iron Man for Phase Three. Given that comparison it's possible that Strange will end up being release in May 2016. I have to assume that either Black Panther or Inhumans will take the July release date. Since both projects have completed scripts and Kevin Feige has mentioned them as contending releases. Unless Marvel fast-tracks scripts for Captain America 3 or Thor 3. Currently, there hasn't been talk of scripts being in place for either of those possibilities. Another possibility is the rumored Incredible Hulk 2 (Planet Hulk?) film that LatinoReview has been talking about for months.

HULK 2 Taking Cues From PLANET HULK, Leading To WORLD WAR HULK In AVENGERS 3?

There seems to be a bit of speculation via SlashFilm concerning new quotes that Marvel's Kevin Feige gave to MTV. Kevin has answered the question if Marvel will take into consideration Planet Hulk with Incredible Hulk 2. He doesn't rule it out but confirms we won't see him in a solo adventure until Avengers 2 is released. We already know the studio plans on making another Hulk film and brining in the cosmic world gives more avenues for the character to explore. Joss Whedon has mentioned wanting to give writing the sequel a shot.

I don’t think there’s a lot that we couldn’t do someday, as the cinematic universe continues to grow and expand and get as big as the comic book universe. ”Planet Hulk’ is a cool story, ‘World War Hulk’ is a cool story. I think there’s pitfalls of continuity-overload, and mythology getting so dense that it almost collapses in on itself [with those cosmic projects]. It happens every few decades or so in the comics. Apart from that, I’d say everything is on the table.

Considering, Guardians of The Galaxy will be opening the door to the cosmic world it's safe to say that seeing Hulk shot into space by the Avengers/Guardians at the end of Avengers 2 could be a decent way to end the sequel. Planet Hulk centers on Hulk being shot into a wormhole landing on a violent planet where he leads an uprising, resulting in him becoming it's King. He finds his way back to Earth with his followers/army to get revenge in World War Hulk. Seeing Hulk the main villain in Avengers 3 could be an interesting way to end the trilogy if that's the way they go. There is still speculation that the Skrulls will somehow get involved in the franchise if they're not used as Thanos' new army.

SPECULATION: Marvel Axing HULK TV Series To Focus On Film For 2015?

Today, we learned that Joss Whedon would be putting together a television series based on Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D. for ABC. The odd part of this announcement is that it's going straight to pilot while the Hulk pilot has yet to be greenlit. My opinion is, Marvel might have axed their plans for a Hulk series after the massive success of The Avengers. Along with the call from fans for another Hulk film. Mark Ruffalo and Joss Whedon have already teased plans already being in motion around the time of Avengers' release in May.

The Hulk series seemed to be a giant headache for both ABC and Marvel. Considering how difficult it is to develop a compelling/cost effective show that included a good amount of CGI. Effects, that aren't cheap to begin with and could end up looking terrible. I believe that Marvel could have pushed S.H.I.E.L.D. into production to cover their asses with ABC to fill the pilot slot left by Hulk. Plus, why throw away perfectly solid plot points that could be used for the film franchise in a TV series?

Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy 1-2, Blade 2, Pacific Rim) had been attached to direct the series pilot but is likely in talks to helm the film instead. The writer/director has had a long standing history with Marvel starting with making Blade 2 for New Line. He was also in talks for years to direct Doctor Strange. However, with recent talk from Marvel producers that a new Hulk film is being aimed for a 2015 release date (after Avengers 2?).  This is all speculation on my part but I wouldn't doubt that a script from Joss Whedon (who mentioned interest in writing the film) with Guillermo del Toro directing enough to bring new life to the Hulk franchise. Del Toro has a bunch of projects in development but has dropped films before to focus on passion projects.

FAN MADE: Poster For 'INCREDIBLE HULK 2' Co-Starring Alison Brie And Ron Perlman

Mark Ruffalo Signed 6-Picture Deal With Marvel Studios

Collider  has an interview with Mark Ruffalo where he confirms he's signed a six picture deal with Marvel. This news helps support the talk today of a new Hulk film coming in 2015. The assumption is that he's committed to an Avengers trilogy and three possible new Hulk films. Kevin Feige had originally stated back during the release of Incredible Hulk they would only pursue a second Hulk film if there was a large demand for it. After Avengers, there will be certainly demand for it and Marvel will likely seize that moment to make their sequel. Joss Whedon could be involved in the writing process as Ruffalo has stated he wanted to pick his brain about a solo film.

'INCREDIBLE HULK 2' Coming In 2015?

The Avengers will end up becoming Marvel's biggest hit as it made $178.4 million in 39 international markets over the weekend. These numbers don't even include huge markets like North America, Russia, China and Japan which will get the film this Friday. One of the biggest wins of the film was finally a great interpretation of both Dr. Bruce Banner and The Hulk played by Mark Ruffalo. Fans of the green hero and Avengers have been curious when we could expect a new Hulk film. There was talk from both Ruffalo and Kevin Feige that there were talks about a new film. Leading Mark to let slip that he wanted to get Joss Whedon involved.

Now word from Marvel's Paul Gitter in a new Forbes interview revealing that along with a new TV series on ABC produced by Guillermo del Toro (who is also directing the pilot) we could be seeing a new film in 2015. Having a new live-action TV series should gather up a new solid fanbase not to mention Hulk's appearance in the Disney cartoon series.

"If Hulk’s successful turnaround continues, Gitter says Marvel “will spin him off to a stand-alone program next year,” supported by a big budget franchise movie in 2015."

I wouldn't be shocked to see Guillermo's (Hellboy) name on the list of possible directors when it finally moves forward. Del Toro has a tendency to switch up his projects on the spot. He went from The Hobbit to Mountains of Madness to settle on Pacific Rim. A project that wasn't even in his large waiting-list of films in development. He'll be directing the pilot for the Hulk television series previously working with Marvel on Blade 2 and had been lined up for a Doctor Strange film.

So we very well could end up getting Incredible Hulk 2 in 2015. Will it be Banner working for SHIELD, still on the run or a different direction like with Planet Hulk? Seeing Hulk facing off cosmic creatures that can give him a run for his money would be my personal choice. However, considering how baldy John Carter did Disney might be scared off to a film like that. I wouldn't be shocked to see the series developing a story that could lead into the new film.

Mark Ruffalo Wants Joss Whedon Involved With New "HULK" Film

During UK press via CBM for an Avengers panel interview with Marvel's Kevin Feige and actor Mark Ruffalo revealed a possibility of seeing a solo Hulk return to the screen. Mark seems to be one of the biggest standouts in Avengers and it's sparked new interested in a sequel to The Incredible Hulk film. Ruffalo seems intent on getting Joss Whedon involved with a new film whether that's just from a contributing standpoint as a writer or shepherding the project from the sidelines. Kevin seems interested in it but cautious not to oversell the possibility. Considering the studio's bloated development backlog it seems like we'll have to wait until Avengers 2 to see Hulk again.

RUFFALO: "I'm going to try and get Joss Whedon in a room and work out what would be a Hulk movie, with Kevin's blessings hopefully."

FEIGE: "In between the many red carpets and interviews over the last few days Mark and I say what is a standalone Hulk movie? How do we take all this goodwill, all this forward momentum from Avengers into a solo Hulk movie? When that will be, who knows? The conversations have definitely started."