Since the last thread kind of degenerated into a petty argument, I thought we'd start another thread-- only this time, tied to the Hulk film franchise.

What do you think could propel this property to the heights seen by Spider-Man or Iron Man?

If you could completely erase the Ang Lee film from your memory, the Edward Norton film was actually quite good.

It was cool, but I can see why it wasn't a breakout hit like the othe rproperties I mentioned. I'm talking about how to put this thing over the top.

I liked the Norton movie. I think they could continue that route.

The Norton Hulk was the proper blend of the comic book Hulk and the television show Hulk. They have to tread that line. Moving too much into the comic book Hulk will result in disaster again. I say the Norton version is the way to go and to continue from there.

I loved the Norton Hulk. Why didn't it sell?

People still remembered the Ang Lee one and thought it was a sequel? Hulk just isn't that marketable a character? Hard to say.

It did, when you think about it. I liken what happened with it to Batman Begins. Batman Begins had to overcome the stench of the last couple of Bat stinkers before it. So BB's numbers weren't through the roof, but the buzz was all positive. That allowed the great writing and performances of The Dark Knight to explode. The Norton Hulk had much less hype but ended up making the same kind of money as the extremely hyped Lee Hulk. I think a second Norton Hulk would actually do quite well.

A lot of this.

Hopefully the execs could see that. Didn't Norton abandon the project I'm sure they could replace him, but he did a good job.

I bought the Ang Lee Hulk for $5 on DVD and still feel I paid too much to see it. The Norton version was much better and if they could somehow make a follow up to that one, I think it would do decent.

It wouldn't have if you had even a modicum of respect for the Hulk character, and for your fellow IMWANkers. And no doubt you intend to steer this discussion of the Hulk "franchise" into uncharted humiliation territory for the Hulk.

I think the Hulk needs to fight a giant monster. I always loved those issues. One where he's having to jump up to punch it.

And it gives the opportunity to create a story "Aw, crap, we're screwed . . . . unless the Hulk can save us." It's kind of like what they tried in the Norton Hulk, which was good, but a giant monster is needed to give the Hulk franchise something the others don't have.

So, seriously, more of a Fin Fang Foom approach would help. There should be giant monster franchises in the world. Giant robots would also be a possibility. Something with real scale, something way bigger than the Hulk, so you can really see his strength and jumping ability come into play.

I think you should have the Hulk enter the Olympics. He would be really fast and Jump High He could win the decathlon. Something like that so you can really see his strength and jumping ability come into play.

That's so stupid. It would have to be Banner that enters the Olympics. Then, once the competition has started . . . well, you know what happens.

Nothing. I don't think that the character is capable of generating that level of reaction. The Hulk might be able to have a good, solid movie franchise — or even easier, a successful ongoing TV series — but not one huge blockbuster film after another. He's missing the two major factors that the biggest action heroes rely on: he doesn't have much of a personality and neither do his enemies, and he doesn''t use lots of cool technology.

He needs a young girl to be obsessed with him, like on Twilight.

She loves the Hulk but thinks Banner is a nerd. But Banner can only get some by being the Hulk. Whats a man to do?

That would humiliate the other contenders.

So if the hulk throws the discus for a world distance record while the guy from Russia is still holding it. Who gets the record?

IAWTP. Even though I'm a big fan of the Hulk, he's not going to reach that level. However, I really liked the 2008 film and would love to see a sequel, as well as see the Hulk appear in the Avengers film.

You're missing part of the equation. The girl in Twilight is obsessed with a cute guy who's also enticingly dangerous. Hulk is just a big, ugly green monster guy.

I actually liked the Ang Lee movie. As much as I can like the Hulk. Linda's right about him not having much personality.