Why HULK (2003) Is Actually the First Movie in the MCU

We think Hulk (2003) is secretly the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here's why.

Written by Jack Picone
Edited by Ethan Lavinsky and Brianna McLarty

#Hulk #Marvel #wars AngLee

[Emceeee]

the incredible hulk (2008) and hulk (2003) are just too closely connected for them to be separate entities. since watching hulk (2003) recently for the first time in years, i think it’s overhated immensely. it deserves a spot in the mcu.

[stayyhydrated]

This movie will always have a place in my heart I never understood the negative feedback this hulk was badass

[Tinkerbe]

I just watched all the MCU movies with my brother, who hadn't seen any of them. And we started with Hulk (2003). I agree, it can be seen as a prequel to The Incredible Hulk.

[lowkeyobsessedngl]

imagine all three iterations of hulk in one movie. one literally looks like a green blob and no one questions it.

[granvilledauds]

This is literally one of my biggest arguments I have with people. When Ed Norton Hulk came out I saw all the connections and called it a sequel up till this day

[jimcarey]

This movie was a total showcase, I mean a tour de force, of Hulk's powers. He leapt across terrain, flung tanks, smashed copters, turned a missile into a boomerang, ran around canyons...amazing.

[sarawhitfield]

I've always in my head cannon considered the opening to Incredible Hulk not his initial transformation but his possible first attempt to cure himself which could have made Hulk more savage and unpredictable just like every attempt to find a cure in the comics led to unforseen results gives it another perspective if you look at it this way

[Mr_Death]

A very underrated film imo
Hope Eric Bana makes a cameo in Secret Wars As his version of hulk
Him teaming up with our hulk and seeing them smashing things up would be awesome

[jasencee]

Yes! Thank you! I thought I was the only one who felt that the 2003 Hulk was the true start of the MCU. Bravo!

[johngpendleton]

I spent part of my childhood living in the specific desert-backed military housing on George AFB in Victorville, CA where the "Banner family" sequences of Ang Lee's HULK were shot. Thank you so very much for beginning to vindicate this movie from its undeserved shame shadow. It's the only MARVEL movie I can watch and say "I can see my house from here!"

[cjmonocle]

I have actually been considering them all continuity since The Incredible Hulk came out. The opening was so telling that it was intended as a spiritual sequel.

[haydenf]

I loved the first hulk movie in 2003. It still to this day is the only superhero movie properly formatted to look like a comic strip came to life. Plus, I appreciate that they included the hulk’s ability to grow in size and strength with rage.

[docmychedelic]

I totally agree. This movie is so under appreciated. The comic book panel cinematography, Nick Nolte was amazing. Plus I’ve always had a Screen crush on Jennifer Connelly. (See why I did there)

[TheStaz]

I have always had Ang Lee's "Hulk" organized on my shelf right before "Iron Man" and the other MCU movies. It always seemed to work well as the first movie in my head cannon, so thanks for giving me harder evidence.

[NightHao]

I've always considered Ang Lee's Hulk MCU canon. For all the reasons laid in the video. Also, it provides a richer backstory and explains banners and hulk's growth throught the other films, something you dont get if you dont consider his full journey.

[devindixon]

I think the incredible hulk is a reboot but keeps majority of the backstory of the original movie. They were definitely supposed to be in the same timeline originally but after they changed it to be in the mcu, they switched a few things.

[blaze]

Actually Blade was the first MCU film. It was even the film first done by Marvel Studios itself. It's the grandfather of all modern super hero movies and still holds up.

[manxdarcqpaw]

All it would take is one bonus scene in Secret Invasion, introducing Nick Fury's father Nick Senior, played by David Hasselhoff, to make his TV movie the first MCU title.

[jordanburden]

I remember when i was like 6 and they were planning the Hulk sequel. I was young and didn’t have social media when the Incredible Hulk came out so i assumed for years, way too long, that The Incredible Hulk was a sequel to Hulk. All the reasons you said were things I assumed.

[mantar]

One thing that hasn't been addressed is that Ang Lee's Hulk not only gets stronger with his rage but gets physically bigger. MCU Hulk doesn't get physically bigger. Kind of a big difference.