FILM · 2008 · USA
The Incredible Hulk
- Directed by
- Louis Leterrier
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Studio
- Marvel Studios, Valhalla Motion Pictures, Marvel Entertainment
139 archived facts 7 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
Scientist Bruce Banner scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.
Summary: TMDB
8 Easter Eggs and References in The Incredible Hulk
- #008
Contains a major spoiler — show
In a deleted scene, Blonsky describes the Hulk to General Greller: "Ten feet tall, fifteen hundred pounds easy, and green. Or gray, sir. Greenish gray. It was very dark, I couldn't tell." This is a nod to the Hulk being gray in his first comic-book appearance; problems with the gray coloring in the first issue led to his skin tone being changed to green.
- #052
Contains a major spoiler — show
After the Hulk defeats the Abomination, a helicopter flies overhead and shines a light on the Hulk. The light is so bright that it makes his skin appear gray, a nod to his original gray skin in the first Hulk comic books.
- #059
Contains a major spoiler — show
In The Avengers (2012), Bruce Banner references the events of this film twice. In the first reference, he says that he destroyed Harlem on his last trip to New York. The second reference was in a shot that can be seen in the special features of The Incredible Hulk DVD. In it, Banner states that he once tried to "eat a bullet" but that "the other guy" caught it and spit it out. The event took place in the far north, as seen in the footage.
- #082
Contains a major spoiler — show
The film's canonicity within the MCU has been questioned since its release. It has only minor, superficial connections to other MCU films, such as the precursor of Robert Downey Jr. briefly reprising his role as Tony Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and Iron Man (2008), and broad strokes for the Hulk (2003) film, as it functions as a spiritual sequel, and Edward Norton was recast for The Avengers (2012). The events of this film are also rarely referenced in the rest of the MCU. William Hurt was asked to reprise his role as General Ross for Captain America: Civil War (2016), once again confirming that this film is still canon for the MCU.
- #101
Contains a major spoiler — show
In the comics, Bruce transformed into the Hulk at night, similar to a werewolf. As a nod to this, Bruce's first transformation in this film takes place at night. Likewise, in Hulk (2003), Bruce's first two Hulk transformations took place at night.
- #111
For the sake of anonymity, Bruce Banner's pen pal on the computer is Mr. Blue, while Bruce refers to himself as Mr. Green. Another film in which characters use the "Mr. Color" convention for anonymity is Reservoir Dogs (1992), in which Tim Roth plays Mr. Orange.
- #112
Contains a major spoiler — show
Producer Gale Anne Hurd also produced Aliens (1986). The Avengers series contains many references to that series. The Avengers (2012) featured a cameo in which Harry Dean Stanton interacts with Bruce Banner. The first two films were directed by Joss Whedon, writer of Alien: Resurrection (1997). In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the death of Ebony Maw, and in Avengers: Endgame (2019), the scene of the Chitauri advancing on Hawkeye, were taken from Aliens.
- #114
On the campus board behind Betty Ross, the name Lester Richards is written. This is a possible reference to Richard Lester, who directed Superman II (1980) and Superman III (1983).
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Reference databases
Sources for the entries on this page
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