Hey folks, Harry here with a damn fine report from THE HULK press conference in San Francisco! Luckily German Chocolate Cake was there to cover it for us, and he came back with scrumdiddliumptious coverage. So let's hop on with the news....
Hi Harry - first off, let me say I ran back to my computer to get this off to you as I knew you would be interested in this and that fans of the Hulk, as myself, would want to hear 'bout this too. The Hulk has been filming in SF for the past few days and will continue through the beginning of May - this is so needed for the city as we haven't had much film production here in awhile. They shot on Telegraph Hill earlier this week and are planning to shoot at UC Berkeley as well as other SF locations. A press conference was set today on Treasure Island (where I work!) where they are currently shooting. I wasn't expected to be a part of it, but found myself able to sit in the back and listen as my job was involved in the planning. The conference was broken up into 2 parts as Ang Lee was in the middle of shooting a scene (lots and lots of extras dressed in military fatigues and military vehicles everywhere!). Eric Bana and the producers were involved in the first part and then we took a break and about 30 minutes later, Ang came in and answered more questions. Not only were there some really cool questions and answers, but the Hulk title art/logo was handed out and, yes, get this... they showed what was described as a "teaser" trailer that will be seen with Spider-man! I wouldn't even describe it as a tease - but more on that below
Highlights of the press conference included:
- Larry Franco being introduced as the "nuts and bolts" guy. He discussed how technology affects everybody's lives being the core of this film and that now was the best time to make it as they feel special effects were finally available to take this film to the next level. He mentioned ILM as contributing to the CGI in the film and that nothing less would be acceptable. Its taken so long to get to production as they wanted the film to remain "timeless."
- A real lame question was asked of why make a film when the Hulk wasn't a popular comic book character to which Avi Arad disagreed. He stated the Hulk has a HUGE following (uh, duh!) and had many good qualities and a range of emotions. Ang Lee was chosen as director because this film was like a "baby" to all involved and he wanted it treated and taken care of well.
- When asked why Eric Bana and not someone a little bit bigger to play the lead, James Schamus answered that he was excited to be involved with an actor on the verge of breaking out and then some indirect comparison to Tobey Maguire in Spider-man. Gale Ann Hurd mentioned seeing Eric in a film titled "Chopper" (never saw it myself) and that his performance in that film completely blew her away and she knew he was perfect for the part of Bruce Banner/Hulk. She described the Hulk story as a Shakespearean tragedy and an "elemental drama of the human condition."
- Eric was asked what it was like to play Bruce Banner/The Hulk to which he replied how great it was to play such a conflicted character. This character doesn't just run into a phone booth to change but wrestles with the fact he can Hulk-out at any moment. This type of character struggle is a welcome challenge.
- There was even a question about your AICN story from the guy who supposedly got his hands on shooting schedules and other "rumors." There was no comment but Ang Lee stated he had total respect for Hulk and comic book fans and the genre, but he fillmmaking has to come first and he wants to turn out the best product.
- Producers and Eric had no comment on how Bruce Banner turn into the Hulk, but Ang in his press conference, said its a mixture of drama and art; nothing you have ever seen before.
- Ang was asked how this film compares to Crouching Tiger to which he replied technology in this film is to the martial arts of Crouch Tiger. Its pop culture and realistic drama combined, to get the audience to believe people can fly and that a green monster can exist.
- A really cool question was asked if this was a monster or super-hero film. Ang replied it was a mix of both and that all of us have some type of "Hulk" inside and we how we deal with it. He mentioned he recently found his own "Hulk" deep inside (now that's a scary thought).
- Ang also mentioned that after he has finished shooting this film, he still will have another year(!) of directing to do (special effects). I must admit, watching and listening to Ang has me sold that this film will be incredible. His passion for this shows and we all know he's somewhat of a true visionary.
- And then there was the "teaser." Cannot wait to see this on the big screen in complete darkness, by the way. This "teaser" starts out with a slow-zoom into a peaceful Craftsman house and into an interior shot of a man with his back to us, starting into a mirror, a towel wrapped around his waist. A voiceover starts (given this man) as the camera continues to slowly zoom in behind him. The voicover says something to the effect of feeling something deep inside, watching him. Then a cut to a side view of the man, who now is revealed as Eric Bana, and his reflection in the mirror and he begins to tremble, stating he can't fight it anymore when it takes over. Then another cut to a close-up of his evermore trembling face, the camera zooming into him closing his eyes and stating he loses control. And then an extreme close-up of one closed eye as the skin around it slowly turns green as he states "I like it" and then the eye opens all of a sudden revealing a deep green eye with a throbbing pupil and green skin around it. It then cuts to outside the house and you hear a loud, deep only-Hulk-created yell as the wall of the house begins to break, then silence and then explode out, bathroom sink flying at the screen... flashes of more deep green come at you and then the Hulk title and cast. Overall it was pretty awesome even tho it was only about a minute long.
That's my report, Harry. I'll see if I can get my hands on anything else. Call me what you like. And thanks!
German Chocolate Cake
