The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going since 2008. That year, it began with two movies; the inaugural and seminal offering “Iron Man,” and the somewhat lesser-appreciated (and hugely underrated) “The Incredible Hulk.”
In Louis Leterrier’s film, nuclear physicist and biochemist Bruce Banner becomes the eponymous super-strong green beast, due to a laboratory accident while working on a military scheme to reinvigorate the World War II “super soldier” program using gamma radiation.
It stars Edward Norton as Banner, along with an excellent ensemble that includes Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson, and Ty Burrell in key supporting roles.
The film is the second big screen adaptation of the titular superhero’s origin story, following 2003’s “Hulk,” starring Eric Bana as Banner.
It’s one of the least financially successful MCU offerings, having grossed just shy of $265 million worldwide, after costing around $150 million to make (per Box Office Mojo). That being said, its modest Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 68% seems very harsh, given the great cast, their impressive performances, and the classic “Hulk SMASH” action it offers.
“The Incredible Hulk” released on June 13, 2008, meaning it will turn 18 this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to see the cast today, compared to how they looked when it hit theaters? Let’s do that right now…
Edward Norton (Bruce Banner, AKA Hulk)
GettyAcademy Award-winning actor and filmmaker Edward Norton played Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, in “The Incredible Hulk.” Banner is a fugitive scientist on the run after a gamma radiation experiment goes wrong and turns him into an “enormous green rage monster” (to quote the great Tony Stark).
Age when “The Incredible Hulk” released: 38.
Selected movie credits before “The Incredible Hulk”: Primal Fear (1996), American History X (1998), Fight Club (1999).
GettyAge now: 56.
Selected movie credits after “The Incredible Hulk”: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Birdman (2014), A Complete Unknown (2024).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Liv Tyler (Betty Ross)
GettyActress and model Liv Tyler played Betty Ross in “The Incredible Hulk.” Betty is a cellular biologist and Bruce Banner’s former girlfriend, his love interest in the movie, and his emotional anchor. She helps him evade her father, who is leading the chase for him.
Age when “The Incredible Hulk” released: 30.
Selected movie credits before “The Incredible Hulk”: Empire Records (1995), Armageddon (1998), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Liv Tyler with four recent pictures of her.
Age now: 48.
Selected movie credits after “The Incredible Hulk”: Super (2010), Jamie Marks Is Dead (2014), Space Station 76 (2014).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Tim Roth (Emil Blonsky, AKA Abomination)
GettyAcademy Award-nominated English actor Tim Roth played Emil Blonsky, aka Abomination, in “The Incredible Hulk.” Blonsky is a ruthless British special forces soldier who becomes obsessed with hunting the Hulk. After being injected with a version of the super-soldier serum, and some of Banner’s blood, he transforms into the monstrous Abomination — a more tactically intelligent and destructive counterpart to the Hulk.
Age when “The Incredible Hulk” released: 47.
Selected movie credits before “The Incredible Hulk”: Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Rob Roy (1995).
GettyAge now: 64.
Selected movie credits after “The Incredible Hulk”: Selma (2014), The Hateful Eight (2015), Luce (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
William Hurt (General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross)
GettyAcademy Award-winning actor William Hurt played General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in “The Incredible Hulk.” Ross is Betty’s father and a high-ranking General in the United States Army. He is obsessed with capturing Banner to weaponize the Hulk’s power, relentlessly pursuing him throughout the movie.
Age when “The Incredible Hulk” released: 58.
Selected movie credits before “The Incredible Hulk”: Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), Children of a Lesser God (1986), A History of Violence (2005).
Above is a social media post with a picture of William Hurt in 2021’s “Black Widow.”
Age now: Sadly passed away aged 71 in 2021.
Selected movie credits after “The Incredible Hulk”: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (2013), The Miracle Season (2018), The Last Full Measure (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Tim Blake Nelson (Samuel Sterns)
GettyActor, director, and writer Tim Blake Nelson played Samuel Sterns in “The Incredible Hulk.” Sterns is a scientist who assists Banner in his search for a cure to his Hulk problem. He becomes involved in the movie’s wider events, leading to further monstrous transformations. He would later become the villainous Leader in 2025’s “Captain America: Brave New World.”
Age when “The Incredible Hulk” released: 44.
Selected movie credits before “The Incredible Hulk”: Minority Report (2002), Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), Syriana (2005).
GettyAge now: 61.
Selected movie credits after “The Incredible Hulk”: Lincoln (2012), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), Old Henry (2021).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Ty Burrell (Leonard Samson)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Ty Burrell in “The Incredible Hulk.”
Television and movie actor Ty Burrell played Leonard Samson in “The Incredible Hulk.” Samson is Betty Ross’ current boyfriend and a psychiatrist and physician who gets drawn into the movie’s central conflict.
Age when “The Incredible Hulk” released: 40.
Selected movie credits before “The Incredible Hulk”: Evolution (2001), Black Hawk Down (2001), Dawn of the Dead (2004).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Ty Burrell with a recent picture of him.
Age now: 58.
Selected movie credits after “The Incredible Hulk”: Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014), Finding Dory (2016), Storks (2016).
Filmography info per IMDb.
While it’s great to see that most of the cast of this movie are still alive and doing so well, it’s sad that not all of them are still with us.
May William Hurt rest in eternal peace.
