Kevin Feige Wanted Hulk’s First MCU Villain To Be Completely Different

New information about the behind-the-scenes of The Incredible Hulk has revealed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s villain could have been changed in a major way. The Incredible Hulk‘s cast included Tim Roth as the Abomination, the villain of the MCU’s second movie. However, it seems like that might not always have been the case.

According to the MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios book (via The Direct), Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige originally did not want to cast Roth, as he wished Abomination to be played by a more famous actor. The book explains that The Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier thought that Roth, a character actor, could help the MCU movie avoid being campy. After Leterrier and Roth fought to convince Feige of the casting decision, Feige would then thank Roth for convincing him. Roth compared his experience in the MCU film to an independent movie, saying, “I liken the Abomination thing to an independent movie. It was a very big-budget independent movie.”

If Leterrier was afraid of The Incredible Hulk being campy, then he surely was happy with what Roth ended up bringing to the table early on in the timeline of the MCU. While Feige might not have been on board with casting the actor at first, Roth brought the necessary intensity to Emil Blonsky that made both his time before transforming into the Abomination and after equal parts serious and exciting. Roth’s magnetic presence made the movie better.

While Roth was great as the stoic Blonsky in The Incredible Hulk, the actor would show with his most recent MCU appearance that his skills were perfect for the shared universe in another way. Contrary to what Leterrier wanted for The Incredible Hulk’s tone, Roth recently returned to the MCU as Blonsky/Abomination in Disney+’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. In the series, Blonsky was no longer a villain, with Roth playing the character in a more comedic way, with Blonsky now a guru for reformed villains.

In the end, Roth was perfect casting to play Abomination in The Incredible Hulk. The actor delivered a solid performance as the second main villain in the MCU, and while the movie itself was not one of the MCU’s best, Roth elevated every scene he was in. By casting Roth in The Incredible Hulk, the MCU now has a double threat in the actor’s dramatic and comedic skills, which should return to the big screen if the rumored World War Hulk movie ever happens.

Source: MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios book (via The Direct)

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