Eric Bana’s Post-Hulk Journey: From Blockbusters to Aussie Thrillers

Eric Bana became a familiar face to international audiences after stepping into the shoes of Bruce Banner in the 2003 film adaptation of Hulk. While the film itself split critics, Bana’s performance was widely praised, leading many to expect he’d return for a follow-up. However, plans for a sequel fizzled out, and the green giant was soon recast, with Edward Norton taking over in The Incredible Hulk five years later.

Reflecting on his time as the iconic Marvel character, Bana later described Hulk as a "one-off" experience. Since then, he’s balanced his work between Hollywood and the Australian film scene, taking on a variety of roles that showcase his range and knack for picking interesting projects.

Life After Hulk: Diverse Roles and New Directions

After Hulk, Bana landed the part of Hector in Troy, sharing the screen with Brad Pitt. He went on to appear in Steven Spielberg’s Munich, Star Trek, The Time Traveller’s Wife, and Funny People, among others. He’s also lent his voice to animated features like Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers and Memoir of a Snail.

In 2009, Bana stepped behind the camera to direct Love the Beast, a documentary about his beloved 1974 Ford XB Falcon Hardtop. The film, featuring appearances from Jay Leno, Jeremy Clarkson, and Phil McGraw, was later recognised as one of the top automotive documentaries. Bana’s passion for cars is well-known, and he’s admitted that if acting hadn’t worked out, he’d have given racing a red-hot go.

More recently, Bana starred as Kyle Turner in the crime drama Untamed, following a federal agent into wild territory after a woman’s death. The series has been well received, earning an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a second season renewal. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

Why Bana Didn’t Return as Hulk

Fans hoping for Bana’s return as Hulk were left disappointed. In a 2021 interview, he was asked about the possibility of reprising the role in a multiverse storyline. His answer was a simple, "No." When pressed, he added, "Not a lot," making it clear he wasn’t keen on revisiting the character.

Bana has spoken openly about his lack of enthusiasm for green screen-heavy productions. He described his Hulk experience as feeling disconnected, saying,

There’s this other movie going on with green screen that I have nothing to do with, because that’s the Hulk. It’s the other actors that are playing in that space. So in some ways it felt like a tiny movie because the reality for me was every day was interior, studio, one room, very few big scenes. Lots of dialogue. I don’t like working indoors.

He also found Bruce Banner a "frustrating character to play" and has no regrets about not signing on for The Incredible Hulk. As he put it,

A friend of mine gave me a really great piece of advice one day. ‘What’s the best possible thing that can come out of this if you say yes? And if the answer is you’re going to keep getting offered things that you don’t want to do, what’s the point?’

Choosing Projects: Passion Over Paycheques

With more than three decades in the industry, Bana has become selective about his work. He doesn’t follow a strict checklist, instead choosing the project that excites him most, regardless of its scale or location. If nothing grabs him, he’s happy to wait for the right script to come along. He’s said,

I just choose the best thing that’s on my pile. It’s really that simple. Regardless of size, regardless of location, I just say yes to the thing that I’ve fallen in love with. If there’s nothing there, I’m happy to wait. In some ways my CV is leaner as a result, but I just enjoy obsessing about the jobs I do. I have to feel passionate.

Bana has avoided being pigeonholed, building a filmography that spans genres and characters. He’s also spoken about the lack of Australian representation on screen, noting that he rarely gets to use his own accent in roles. He called it "frustrating" and "ridiculous," only recently getting the chance to sound like himself again in The Dry.

What’s Next: Apex and Beyond

Bana is currently filming Apex, an action-thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur and written by Jeremy Robbins. The cast includes Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton, with Netflix picking up distribution rights. Production kicked off in Sydney, and the film is expected to create hundreds of local jobs and inject millions into the state’s economy.

The story centres on a grieving woman who seeks solace in the wilderness, only to find herself caught in a deadly game with a serial killer. Apex is being shot entirely in Sydney and Western Sydney, with a release date yet to be announced.

For those keen to revisit Bana’s earlier work, Hulk is currently streaming on Netflix.