The Incredible Hulk Returns

The Incredible Hulk Returns is the 1988 live-action, made-for-TV NBC movie based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is a sequel to The Incredible Hulk TV series and the first film in the series of the Incredible Hulk TV films.

The movie finds David Banner (Bill Bixby) working under an assumed identity and is once again in a gamma research facility, hoping to develop technology that will rid him of the Hulk. He encounters Donald Blake (Steve Levitt), a young researcher who he once taught at university. It turns out Blake has an alter ego of his own: in his travels he discovered the ancient hammer of Thor and can now summon the thunder god (Eric Allan Kramer) to his side to do his bidding. Eventual the two titans team up to save a fellow researcher from criminals.

The cast also include Jack Colvin, resuming his role as Jack McGee, Tim Thomerson and Lee Purcell.

The film was directed by Nicolas Corea from his own script. It was a ratings blockbuster for TV fans who missed the series. It ruffled the feathers of many comic fans who were excited about seeing the expanded Marvel Universe take shape, but disliked the off-brand depiction of Thor. Overall it was successful enough to be followed by The Trial of the Incredible Hulk.