The Death of the Incredible Hulk
Encyclopedia
The Death of the Incredible Hulk is a 1990
made-for-television film, the last of three revival TV movies from the 1977
–1982
television show The Incredible Hulk
. Bill Bixby
reprises his role as Dr. David Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno
returns to play the Hulk
. Prior to Bill Bixby's death in 1993, there was talk of another Incredible Hulk television movie which would resurrect the character.
Bypassing security, Banner enters Pratt's laboratory, examines the formulae on his blackboard, making corrections and filling in gaps. After Pratt catches him doing this, Banner reveals his true identity and history. Both scientists agree to work together to cure Banner and perfect the formula harnessing gamma radiation believed to give ordinary humans superhuman strength when under periods of stress
.
The two men become friends, and Banner is accepted as part of Pratt's family. One day, the pair decide to experiment with Banner's metamorphosis, which leads to another experiment that could cure Banner or kill him. However, an Eastern Europe
an spy network dedicated to using Pratt's (and Banner's) work for corrupt purposes breaks into the lab, halting the experiment and kidnapping Pratt's fellow scientist wife Amy (Barbara Tarbuck
), as well as harming Pratt and sending him into a coma
.
Banner falls in love with Jasmin ' onMouseout='HidePop("76692")' href="/topics/Elizabeth_Gracen">Elizabeth Gracen
), a reluctant spy in the network who returns his affections, and reveals that her native country conducted experiments on people, which made her sister into a "she hulk" before her death from radiation poisoning. With her help, Banner causes Ronald to come out of his coma by jogging his memory about a high school prank, and then rescues Amy. While pursuing the kidnappers, Banner once again turns into the Hulk and manages to climb aboard their small plane as it is leaving.
The Hulk overpowers those on board, but then the plane explodes in mid-air. The Hulk is caught in the explosion and falls to the pavement below. The Hulk's impact with the pavement splinters the asphalt beneath him. Jasmin rushes to his side and holds his hand. The creature, calmed by Jasmin's soothing words and actions, slowly morphs back into Banner. The Pratts also rush to his side.
"David, no . . . don't die," Jasmin says with tears in her eyes. "We can be free now."
"Jasmin . . . I am free." Banner says with his last breath, as he has now been cured of the Hulk. Jasmin and the Pratts weep around him as he dies. As the camera rolls back, the original TV series' "Lonely Man" theme plays in the background.
character She-Hulk, just as the previous two had featured Thor and Daredevil. As of early July 1989, it was still firmly expected to do so, and to air that autumn, with Iron Man
under consideration for a follow-up.
's apparent death in the 1990 film, the program's makers had always intended for him to return in The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk, in which he would be revived in a state in which the Hulk had Banner's mind. As of July 10, 1990, a script was being written. However, all such projects were canceled when Bill Bixby's health declined. He died of cancer in November 1993.
1990 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1990-91 United States network television schedule.The year 1990 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1990.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
made-for-television film, the last of three revival TV movies from the 1977
1977 in television
The year 1977 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1977.For the American TV schedule, see: 1977-78 American network television schedule.-Events:...
–1982
1982 in television
The year 1982 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1982.For the American TV schedule, see: 1982-83 American network television schedule.-Events:...
television show The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk (1977 TV series)
The Incredible Hulk is an American television series based on the Marvel comic book character of the same name created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The pilot episodes were a pair of TV movies on the CBS network beginning on November 4, 1977; the series soon followed, airing from March 10, 1978 to...
. Bill Bixby
Bill Bixby
Wilfred Bailey Everett “Bill” Bixby III was an American film and television actor, director, and frequent game show panelist.His career spanned over three decades; he appeared on stage, in motion pictures and TV series...
reprises his role as Dr. David Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno
Louis Jude "Lou" Ferrigno is an American actor, fitness trainer/consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron...
returns to play the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. Prior to Bill Bixby's death in 1993, there was talk of another Incredible Hulk television movie which would resurrect the character.
Plot
David Banner masquerades as David Bellamy, a mentally-challenged janitor in order to gain access to a scientific research facility. He has determined that the studies of one of the scientists there, Dr. Ronald Pratt (Philip Sterling), may hold the key to curing his condition. Pratt takes a liking to the man he sees only as a building custodian.Bypassing security, Banner enters Pratt's laboratory, examines the formulae on his blackboard, making corrections and filling in gaps. After Pratt catches him doing this, Banner reveals his true identity and history. Both scientists agree to work together to cure Banner and perfect the formula harnessing gamma radiation believed to give ordinary humans superhuman strength when under periods of stress
Stress (biology)
Stress is a term in psychology and biology, borrowed from physics and engineering and first used in the biological context in the 1930s, which has in more recent decades become commonly used in popular parlance...
.
The two men become friends, and Banner is accepted as part of Pratt's family. One day, the pair decide to experiment with Banner's metamorphosis, which leads to another experiment that could cure Banner or kill him. However, an Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
an spy network dedicated to using Pratt's (and Banner's) work for corrupt purposes breaks into the lab, halting the experiment and kidnapping Pratt's fellow scientist wife Amy (Barbara Tarbuck
Barbara Tarbuck
Barbara Tarbuck is an American actress born in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan. She is usually seen interpreting Lady Jane Jacks in General Hospital.-Biography:...
), as well as harming Pratt and sending him into a coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
.
Banner falls in love with Jasmin ' onMouseout='HidePop("76692")' href="/topics/Elizabeth_Gracen">Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Ward Gracen is an American actress who won the title of Miss America in 1982. She was born Elizabeth Grace Ward but should not be confused with another Elizabeth Ward who worked as a television actress during the first half of the 1980s....
), a reluctant spy in the network who returns his affections, and reveals that her native country conducted experiments on people, which made her sister into a "she hulk" before her death from radiation poisoning. With her help, Banner causes Ronald to come out of his coma by jogging his memory about a high school prank, and then rescues Amy. While pursuing the kidnappers, Banner once again turns into the Hulk and manages to climb aboard their small plane as it is leaving.
The Hulk overpowers those on board, but then the plane explodes in mid-air. The Hulk is caught in the explosion and falls to the pavement below. The Hulk's impact with the pavement splinters the asphalt beneath him. Jasmin rushes to his side and holds his hand. The creature, calmed by Jasmin's soothing words and actions, slowly morphs back into Banner. The Pratts also rush to his side.
"David, no . . . don't die," Jasmin says with tears in her eyes. "We can be free now."
"Jasmin . . . I am free." Banner says with his last breath, as he has now been cured of the Hulk. Jasmin and the Pratts weep around him as he dies. As the camera rolls back, the original TV series' "Lonely Man" theme plays in the background.
Production
This third Hulk telefilm was initially announced to feature the Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character She-Hulk, just as the previous two had featured Thor and Daredevil. As of early July 1989, it was still firmly expected to do so, and to air that autumn, with Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
under consideration for a follow-up.
Canceled Sequel
Despite the HulkHulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
's apparent death in the 1990 film, the program's makers had always intended for him to return in The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk, in which he would be revived in a state in which the Hulk had Banner's mind. As of July 10, 1990, a script was being written. However, all such projects were canceled when Bill Bixby's health declined. He died of cancer in November 1993.
See also
- The Incredible Hulk
- The Incredible Hulk ReturnsThe Incredible Hulk ReturnsThe Incredible Hulk Returns is a 1988 TV movie loosely based on the Marvel comic books that serves as a continuation of the popular television series. In it, Dr. David Banner has nearly cured himself from being the Hulk...
- The Trial of the Incredible HulkThe Trial of the Incredible HulkThe Trial of the Incredible Hulk is a 1989 TV movie sequel to the 1970s Incredible Hulk television series, featuring both the Hulk and fellow Marvel Comics character Daredevil, who team up to defeat Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin...