Which Film Nearly Sank The MCU After Iron Man’s Success? (Photo Credit – Prime Video)
Advertisement
Before The Incredible Hulk hit theaters in 2008, the MCU was still a glimmer in Marvel’s eye, with only a handful of films to its name. The big gamble had just begun, and things were looking promising with Iron Man paving the way for what would become the most successful movie franchise in history.
But then, The Incredible Hulk came along, and, well, let’s just say it didn’t exactly help the cause. Despite the star power of Edward Norton and some solid action sequences, the movie struggled to make waves at the box office and was critically panned. It was a near miss for the fledgling MCU, leaving fans and execs alike sweating over its future. If Hulk had truly bombed, who knows? We might not have gotten Avengers: Endgame after all.
The Incredible Hulk’s Box Office Bomb: A Near-Disaster For The MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may seem like an unstoppable force now, but it wasn’t always a given. Then comes The Incredible Hulk (2008), the film that nearly threw a wrench into Marvel’s grand plan for world domination. At the time, the MCU was still in its early stages, with Iron Man (2008) serving as the first big step in creating a universe, but The Incredible Hulk was a major setback. With a worldwide box office of just $264.77 million (and about 49% of that from international markets), via Box Office Mojo, it was a financial disappointment considering its hefty budget. The film struggled to resonate with audiences, leaving many to wonder if the superhero genre had already been oversaturated.
Despite its shortcomings, The Incredible Hulk still had some redeeming qualities. Edward Norton’s portrayal of Bruce Banner was gritty and grounded, but ultimately, it couldn’t capture the same charm and excitement that Iron Man brought to the table. Marvel’s gamble on the Hulk seemed like it might be the kryptonite that would slow down their otherwise meteoric rise.
But, of course, Marvel wasn’t about to let one flop derail everything. They quickly regrouped, figuring out how to pivot the Hulk’s character into a more successful ensemble piece in future films. Still, in a timeline where the MCU never worked out, The Incredible Hulk stands as the film that almost sent them into a tailspin. Luckily, they bounced back, and how!
The Turning Point & Marvel’s Big Gamble After The Incredible Hulk
If you think about how the MCU went from the brink of collapse to global domination, it’s nothing short of a marvel itself. After the lackluster performance of The Incredible Hulk, Marvel could have easily thrown in the towel, but instead, they doubled down. Iron Man (2008) proved their gamble was worth it, raking in a jaw-dropping $585 million globally, via Box Office Mojo. That was just the beginning; soon after, movies like The Avengers (2012), Black Panther (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019) became massive cultural milestones.
In fact, Avengers: Endgame still holds the title of the highest-grossing film of all time, with a whopping $2.7 billion worldwide, via Box Office Mojo. Talk about bouncing back! Black Panther not only brought in $1.34 billion but also broke barriers by becoming the first superhero film to get an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
Each blockbuster added to the MCU’s allure and solidified its place at the top of Hollywood’s cinematic food chain. Fast-forward to Avengers: Infinity War (2018), where audiences were glued to their seats, wondering how they would survive the snap, and Marvel wasn’t just winning at the box office. They had the entire cultural zeitgeist in a chokehold. The MCU’s success can now be measured in billions, and it all started with those turning points that came after The Incredible Hulk, a franchise-building rollercoaster that ultimately made history.
Note: Box office numbers are based on estimates and various sources. Numbers have not been independently verified by Koimoi.
Stay tuned to Koimoi for more box office stories & updates!
