# The Strongest There Is (DD-244)

> The Incredible Hulk, directed by Louis Leterrier and starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, was released in the U.S. on June 13, 2008, as the second film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Banner hides from the U.S. military while seeking a cure, and the film climaxes in a fight with the Abomination, played by Tim Roth. Robert Downey Jr. appears as Tony Stark in a closing scene. Mark Ruffalo took over the role from The Avengers (2012) onward. The Reel is a review with clips; the opinions in it are the Reel's.

- Department: Media
- First published: 2024-05-28
- Last updated: 2024-05-28
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-strongest-there-is/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **June 13, 2008**: The Incredible Hulk opens in U.S. theaters

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=the-strongest-there-is

## Quick facts

- **DD-244-F01**: It opened on June 13, 2008. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (June 13, 2008))_
- **DD-244-F02**: Norton played Banner. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Edward Norton))_

## Write-up

Edward Norton played Bruce Banner before Mark Ruffalo took over. Tony Stark's cameo at the end hinted at a shared universe.

1. **June 13, 2008**: It opened on June 13, 2008.
2. **Edward Norton**: Norton played Banner.
3. **Abomination**: Tim Roth played the Abomination.
4. **Stark cameo**: Tony Stark appears at the end.
5. **Ruffalo**: Mark Ruffalo later took the role.

## Related case files

- [I'm Obsessed... (DD-732)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/im-obsessed/): I linked another movie case
- [The Birth of the MCU (DD-243)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-birth-of-the-mcu/): I linked the MCU film before it, Iron Man
- [The Saga Continues (DD-245)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-saga-continues/): I linked the next MCU film, Iron Man 2

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: The Strongest There Is: Edward Norton Played Bruce Banner Before Mark Ruffalo Took Over

- Duration: 27.6 s · Published: 2024-05-28
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C7hWvBcpnJy.mp4

### Transcript

THE INCREDIBLE HULK. This movie often gets overlooked in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it deserves some credit. Edward Norton brought a brooding intensity to Bruce Banner and the action scenes were pretty thrilling! Especially the Hulk versus Abomination showdown. While it didn't quite hit the mark for everyone, it laid important groundwork for Hulk's character in the MCU. Plus the cameo by Tony Stark in the end hinted at the interconnected universe, keeping fans excited for the next steps. Not a perfect film by any means but it had its moments and contributed to the Marvel picture. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Who played Bruce Banner in 2008?**  
A: Before Ruffalo. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (June 13, 2008) · Wikipedia: The Incredible Hulk (film))_

**Q: Which villain does Hulk fight?**  
A: Tim Roth. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Edward Norton) · Wikipedia: The Incredible Hulk (film))_

**Q: Who makes a cameo?**  
A: At the end. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Abomination) · Wikipedia: The Incredible Hulk (film))_

**Q: Which MCU film number is it?**  
A: After Iron Man. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Stark cameo) · Wikipedia: The Incredible Hulk (film))_

**Q: Who took over as Banner later?**  
A: From 2012. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Ruffalo) · Wikipedia: The Incredible Hulk (film))_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: The Incredible Hulk (film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Hulk_(film))

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Strongest There Is." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-244, last updated May 28, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-strongest-there-is/