summer of superheroes |The buzz

summer of superheroes |The buzz

‘The Incredible Hulk’

(opens June 13)

Good buzz: After 2003’s ponderous and financially disappointing “Hulk” by director Ang Lee, fans are eager to give the big green guy a cinematic do-over. If the new movie can liven up the drama and add more Hulk-smash action to the fight sequences, it could be a hulking hit.

Bad buzz: It’s incredible how much gossip there’s been about artistic disputes between new leading man Edward Norton and the producers. An unhappy star? Negative publicity? No wonder the Hulk’s so angry.

‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’

(opens July 11)

Good buzz: The first “Hellboy” in 2004 was a strange little film with a tormented red hero whose looks only a hell-parent could love. It was helmed by director Guillermo del Toro, who scored big last year with the visually stunning “Pan’s Labyrinth.”

Bad buzz: “Hellboy” can’t compete with the other superheroes in terms of budget or star power (Ron Perlman has the title role again). And now that Del Toro has a bigger profile, the critics will be even more critical.

‘The Dark Knight’

(opens July 18)

Good buzz: With 2005’s melancholy “Batman Begins,” director Christopher Nolan created a Batman 2.0 good enough to wipe away those memories of George Clooney in a rubber suit. Christian Bale has clicked as the Caped Crusader and Heath Ledger is said to have delivered a magnificently edgy interpretation of the Joker.

Bad buzz: Ledger’s death casts a pall over the movie and makes marketing it difficult. Watching his performance will be a sad reminder of what might have been, which may be too much gloom even for Batfanatics.

Detroit Free Press