The Death of the Incredible Hulk

The Death of the Incredible Hulk
DVD cover
Directed by	Bill Bixby
Written by	Gerald Di Pego
Starring	Bill Bixby Lou Ferrigno
Language	English
Release date	February 18, 1990
Preceded by	The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

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.^[1][2][3]

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.

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 European 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 (pronounced Yas-meen; portrayed by 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.

Production

This third Hulk telefilm was initially announced to feature the Marvel Comics 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.^[4]

Canceled Sequel

Despite the Hulk'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.^[1] As of July 10, 1990, a script was being written.^[5] 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 Returns
• The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

References

1. ^ ^{a b} The Incredible Lou, Papa Llama's Convention Report, 7 November 2008.
2. ^ "F.O.O.M. (Flashbacks of Ol' Marvel) #16: "I'm Free Now – The Incredible Hulk (1988-1990)"". Comic Bulletin. http://www.comicsbulletin.com/foom/128355284240689.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
3. ^ "Hulk Smash Television!". IGN. http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/881/881149p3.html. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
4. ^ "Comics Screen", Comics Scene, Starlog Communications International, Inc., October 1989, pp. 69-70.
5. ^ "Comics Screen", Comics Scene, Starlog Communications International, Inc., October 1990, pp. 69-70.

External links

• The Death of the Incredible Hulk at the Internet Movie Database
• Hulk Smash Television!