Recalling his own venture in making the heavily-criticized 2003 version of the superhero, the 'Gemini Man' director admits he might not have been the right helmer to launch the comic book franchise.
- October 5, 2019
AceShowbiz - Ang Lee doesn't enjoy watching any of the Hulk's Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) outings, as he prefers his own take on the character.
The "Life of Pi" director took the reins on 2003's "Hulk", which starred Eric Bana, and was a critical and commercial flop.
The character has since been played in Marvel movies by both Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo, and has become a beloved part of the "Avengers" movies, but Ang is unimpressed.
"I've watched them on airplanes," he tells The Guardian of Hulk's later outings. "Sometimes with the sound down. I didn't really care that much. To do that kind of movie, you have to coat it with artifice."
The filmmaker admits, however, that although he likes his "Hulk" film, he may not have been the right director to launch the comic book franchise.
"'Hulk' was the one time I had absolute freedom, which may be good or bad. Whatever I wanted, at any expense, was mine. It was like I was on a shopping spree. Anything goes! I'm still proud of 'Hulk', but I underestimated the power of genre and how you have to wrestle with a general audience."
He also confesses the success of his Hollywood breakthrough, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", may have given industry chiefs a false impression that he could churn out box office hits.
"The first 'Spider-Man' came out while I was making 'Hulk'," he adds. "And here I was shooting psychodrama! Back then the system was not as strict as it is today. After 'Crouching Tiger', they must have thought: 'Maybe this guy can do anything.'"
Ang's latest film, "Gemini Man", debuts in cinemas on Thursday October 10.
