Ang Lee’s “Hulk” is a superhero movie based on the iconic Marvel Comics character of the same name.
An origin story, the film depicts what happens to gamma research scientist Bruce Banner after he’s involved in a laboratory accident. Banner’s body mutates to the point that, when he gets angry or agitated, he transforms into the massive and super-strong eponymous creature.
It stars Eric Bana in the titular role, along with a talented supporting casting comprising Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, Nick Nolte, and Josh Lucas.
“Hulk” was relatively well received and currently holds a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also a moderate financial success, grossing just over $245 million after costing £137 million to make (The Numbers).
Released on June 20, 2003, “Hulk” will turn 23 years old in 2026. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be fun to see how its core cast are looking today, compared to back when the movie hit theaters? Let’s do that right now…
Eric Bana (Bruce Banner, AKA the Hulk)
GettyAustralian actor and producer Eric Bana played Bruce Banner in “Hulk.” Banner is a gamma radiation research scientist. After saving a colleague from an accident involving a malfunctioning gammasphere, which exposes him to high levels gamma radiation, he become a huge, muscular, inhumanly strong monster when angry or agitated.
Age when “Hulk” released: 34.
Selected movie credits before “Hulk”: The Castle (1997), Chopper (2000), Black Hawk Down (2001).
GettyAge now: 57.
Selected movie credits after “Hulk: Troy (2004), Munich (2005), Star Trek (2009).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jennifer Connelly (Betty Ross)
Above is a social media post with five pictures of Jennifer Connelly in “Hulk.”
Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Connelly played Elizabeth “Betty” Ross in “Hulk.” Betty is Bruce Banner’s ex-girlfriend and fellow gamma researcher. She is the only person who can calm Banner down when he turns into the Hulk.
Age when “Hulk” released: 32.
Selected movie credits before “Hulk”: Labyrinth (1986), Requiem for a Dream (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Jennifer Connelly with five recent pictures of her.
Age now: 55.
Selected movie credits after “Hulk: Blood Diamond (2006), The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Sam Elliott (General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross)
GettyAcademy Award-nominated actor Sam Elliott played General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in “Hulk.” General Ross is Betty’s estranged father, a four-star general, and the man who oversees the gamma research facility. He views the Hulk as a dangerous threat, but becomes obsessed with capturing and weaponizing the monster. While he’s antagonistic, he’s also a somewhat sympathetic character.
Age when “Hulk” released: 58.
Selected movie credits before “Hulk”: Frogs (1972), Road House (1989), Tombstone (1993).
GettyAge now: 81.
Selected movie credits after “Hulk: Ghost Rider (2007), The Hero (2017), A Star Is Born (2018).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Nick Nolte (David Banner)
GettyMultiple Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte played David Banner in “Hulk.” David is Bruce Banner’s estranged father whose past actions are tied to his son’s condition. He’s the movie’s main antagonist who becomes Hulk’s only physical match when he gains absorbing powers similar to the Marvel comic book character Absorbing Man.
Age when “Hulk” released: 62.
Selected movie credits before “Hulk”: Cape Fear (1991), The Prince of Tides (1991), Affliction (1998).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Nick Nolte in the 2026 movie “Crime 101.”
Age now: 85.
Selected movie credits after “Hulk: Hotel Rwanda (2004), Warrior (2011), Crime 101 (2026).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Josh Lucas (Glenn Talbot)
GettyActor Josh Lucas played Glenn Talbot in “Hulk.” Talbot is a former soldier who has his own history with Betty. Ruthless, ambitious, and arrogant, he wants to exploit the Hulk’s power for his own use. He’s an important human antagonist in the film.
Age when “Hulk” released: 32 (the movie released on his birthday).
Selected movie credits before “Hulk”: American Psycho (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Sweet Home Alabama (2002).
GettyAge now: 54.
Selected movie credits after “Hulk: Glory Road (2006), The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), Ford v Ferrari (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
It’s great to see the core cast of “Hulk” doing so well. The movie can take partial responsibility for the recent boom in superhero movies, so it’s sad that it never got a sequel.
Who knows, though? Maybe we’ll get to see one or two of the film’s characters return in the upcoming multiversal projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Superhero movie fans would undoubtedly love that.
