The Marvel Cinematic Universe has paid tribute to the iconic 1970s Incredible Hulk series through some delightful Easter eggs and references. Before the MCU timeline redefined superhero storytelling, The Incredible Hulk of the 1970s brought the green goliath to television screens with a mix of melodrama, pathos, and smashing action. While the MCU’s version of Hulk evolved significantly from his TV roots, Marvel has never forgotten where it all began. In fact, the franchise has sprinkled clever callbacks and tributes to the classic show throughout its films.

Starring Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, The Incredible Hulk series became a pop culture touchstone, fondly remembered for its haunting theme and moral undertones. Unlike the more bombastic tone of modern superhero films, the show focused on David Banner’s lonely journey to cure himself, punctuated by tragic transformations into the Hulk. When the MCU introduced Bruce Banner and his monstrous alter ego into its continuity, the creative team wisely acknowledged this iconic version.

8

“You Won’t Like Me When I’m Hungry”

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

In The Incredible Hulk (2008), Edward Norton’s Bruce Banner delivers a familiar line, but with a twist. When cornered in a foreign bottling plant, he tries to warn his attackers, but, with his limited grasp of the language, he offers, “You won’t like me when I’m… hungry.” It’s a cheeky nod to the original show’s most iconic quote: “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

This updated version plays with audience expectations, offering humor while subtly referencing the TV series. The line may seem like a throwaway gag, but for fans of the ’70s Hulk, it’s an immediate callback. It also shows that the MCU version of Banner, like Bixby’s, is aware of the uncontrollable danger he poses. By modernizing the classic phrase, Marvel both honors its roots and reinforces the enduring nature of Banner’s internal struggle.

7

Lou Ferrigno’s Cameo

The Incredible Hulk

Lou Ferrigno – the original Hulk from the 70s series – makes a delightful cameo in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. In the film, he appears as a security guard who accepts a pizza bribe from Bruce Banner. It’s a brief but memorable moment that bridges generations of Hulk audiences. Lou Ferrigno’s presence serves as more than just a fun cameo; it’s symbolic. His physical portrayal of the Hulk left a lasting impression on pop culture, long before motion capture and CGI dominated superhero films.

Ferrigno instead simply donned green paint and some facial prosthetics. Ferrigno was the face of the Hulk for decades, and this cameo affirmed his importance in the MCU’s eyes. It’s also fitting that Banner turns to him for help, a visual way of “pᴀssing the torch” between iterations. The cameo is light-hearted, respectful, and a rewarding Easter egg for anyone who grew up with Ferrigno’s growling green rage.

6

Lou Ferrigno’s Vocal Work

The Avengers

Lou Ferrigno may not have physically portrayed the Hulk in The Avengers (2012), but his voice is still very much part of the character. Ferrigno contributed vocal effects for the Hulk’s roars and grunts in the film, keeping a piece of the classic Hulk embedded in the MCU. This continuity is especially meaningful considering Ferrigno also lent his voice to the Hulk in both The Incredible Hulk (2008) and The Incredible Hulk animated series in the ’90s.

Ferrigno would later contribute to Avengers: Age of Ultron, before Mark Ruffalo took over full-time. Ferrigno’s distinct growl helped maintain a consistent sonic idenтιтy for the character even as technology evolved. While Mark Ruffalo provided mo-cap and dialogue for Banner, Ferrigno’s primal contributions gave the Hulk’s rage its iconic sound. It’s a subtle but powerful way the MCU honors its green, growling origins.

5

Bill Bixby On Television

The Incredible Hulk

In The Incredible Hulk (2008), the MCU pays subtle tribute to Bill Bixby, the original Dr. David Banner, by featuring him briefly on a television screen. As Bruce Banner lies low in Brazil, a scene shows Bixby in an old episode of The Courtship of Eddie’s Father playing on a local TV. It’s a touching blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that honors the late actor, who gave the ’70s Hulk show its emotional weight.

Bill Bixby’s gentle, tragic portrayal of Banner is still beloved by many, and this reference subtly acknowledges his foundational role in the Hulk’s legacy. Rather than a throwaway Easter egg, it’s a heartfelt nod to a performer who helped define the pathos of the character, long before the age of CGI and interconnected cinematic universes. Much like Norton, Bixby brought a surprising depth to the character and elevated him beyond the typical superhero fare.

4

The “Lonely Man Theme”

The Incredible Hulk

One of the most iconic elements of the ’70s Incredible Hulk series was its melancholic piano tune, the “Lonely Man Theme.” The theme often played as David Banner walked away from each town, burdened by guilt and solitude at the end of each episode. In The Incredible Hulk (2008), composer Craig Armstrong weaves this theme gently into the score during a moment of reflection.

The soft piano melody plays while Bruce Banner is in hiding, capturing his isolation and tragic journey, just like his TV counterpart. It’s a subtle cue that longtime viewers immediately recognize, infusing the scene with a nostalgic emotional pull. Rather than modernize it completely, the film preserves the melody’s tone and pacing, keeping it as a quiet homage. It’s a rare moment when a musical callback carries as much narrative weight as visual references.

3

Bruce Banner Uses The Alias David

The Incredible Hulk

In The Incredible Hulk (2008), Bruce Banner uses the alias “David” while hiding out in Brazil, a direct reference to the 70s TV version of the character. In the original show, the character’s name was changed from Bruce to David Banner. This was allegedly because producers felt “Bruce” sounded too comic book-like, and reportedly “gay-ish.”

This small but meaningful MCU nod cleverly merges both versions of the character, suggesting that “David” is Bruce’s go-to pseudonym when trying to lay low. For audiences of the original series, it’s a fun little Easter egg that grounds the film in Hulk’s long-running media history. More importantly, it helps reinforce the idea that the MCU’s Banner, like Bixby’s, is a wandering fugitive haunted by his transformations and trying desperately to stay out of the spotlight.

2

The Gamma Experiment

The Incredible Hulk

The gamma radiation experiment depicted in The Incredible Hulk (2008) includes a striking visual reference to the 70s TV show’s iconic transformation setup. As Bruce Banner prepares to test the effects of gamma radiation, he straps into a chair with a retro lab design that closely mirrors the equipment used in the original series. In the show, David Banner’s transformation occurred via overexposure to gamma rays while seated in a nearly identical chair surrounded by glowing panels.

By recreating this moment, the film connects the MCU’s scientific origins of the Hulk to the televised version’s visual language. It’s a smart and deliberate nod that doesn’t interrupt the story but quietly honors the previous incarnation. Viewers of the classic series will instantly recognize the homage, making it a subtle but effective throwback.

1

She-Hulk Recreates The Opening тιтles

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law pulls off one of the MCU’s most direct tributes to the 70s Incredible Hulk series by recreating the original show’s dramatic opening credits. In episode 9, the series perfectly recreates the iconic 1970s opening sequence, including the famed first transformation during a storm, the vintage gamma apparatus, and the green-painted body double. The sequence even recreated the 1970s show’s use of green lighting and clothes-ripping Hulk-outs.

Of course, She-Hulk updates certain elements to make it fit with the series and to depict Jennifer rather than Bruce/David. The music, editing, and tone perfectly mirror the original series’ somber intro, giving viewers a mix of nostalgia and humor. It’s a playful scene that proves Marvel isn’t afraid to lean into its TV past, especially when it comes to the Hulk legacy.