Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk

While it’s not ideal to talk about the next two movies in my Marvel Movie Marathon in one post, I don’t have a ton of time and have to use shortcuts where I find them.

Again, I don’t need to rehash the plots of either movie. Iron Man is here and The Incredible Hulk is here.

These are two Marvel movies that I know I’ve seen before and remember parts of. Especially Iron Man. I even remember enjoying the character of Tony Stark. SUCH a cocky asshole, but at least he’s interesting. Robert Downey Jr. did an amazing job. I have always loved how quick-witted he is.

Now, Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk…eh. Even Liv Tyler was boring as fuck. And I loved her in The Lord of the Rings! My ex-husband suggested that she was quite big at the time and probably was phoning it in. Perhaps he’s right.

How about some Iron Man trivia?

Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury cameo was a secret scene. Originally, it wasn’t included in early screenings. It was shot in secret, and Marvel wasn’t sure it would even make the final cut.
Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine has a cameo. He not only contributed to the soundtrack, but he’s one of the Ten Rings terrorists–specifically, the one who gets knocked out when Tony tests the Mark I suit.
A partially built prototype of Captain America’s shield appears on Tony Stark’s workbench in one scene.
Stan Lee’s cameo was a Hugh Hefner gag. But of course.

Stan Lee/Hugh Hefner: *Are you talkin’ to me?*

And now for some tidbits for The Incredible Hulk because anything would make that movie more interesting:

Captain America’s frozen body had a cameo in an alternate opening that was later deleted. Apparently, Banner was going to attempt suicide in the Arctic, an ice shelf collapses, and we would have scene Captain America’s body inside. But, alas, it was not meant to be.
Cameos! Lou Ferrigno (who played Hulk in the 1978 TV series) showed up as a security guard and provides the Hulk’s voice, including the iconic “Hulk smash!” line.
Paul Soles, the voice of Bruce Banner in the 1966 The Marvel Super Heroes animated series, also has a cameo! He plays the pizzeria owner Stanley who helps Bruce Banner hide.
Anyone else catch the Super Soldier Serum reference? We did just watch the first Captain America movie, after all!
And did anyone else spot the hidden documents that has the name “Nick Fury, SHIELD” on it when Bruce is looking for info?
OH. AND. The classic 1978 Incredible Hulk TV show’s theme, “The Lonely Man,” plays briefly when Banner is on the run.

Sorry I don’t have more thoughts on the two movies. The only thing I can think of is that I told my ex-husband, “The best part of The Incredible Hulk was when Iron Man appeared post-credits.”

I know. I’m an asshole.