ABC to "Hulk" Out in Future

Paul Lee

ABC to "Hulk" Out in Future

Television News

By our guest blogger, Nick Hanover

The Hollywood Reporter's livefeed and others are reporting that ABC Entertainment head Paul Lee is eager to make great use of parent company Disney's acquisition of Marvel Comics by importing several properties to the network. Chief among those properties is the "Incredible Hulk," which is currently in the hands of director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy), who has already handled Marvel before with his Blade adaptation, one of the key films behind the resurgence of comics adaptations in Hollywood. Also on Lee's list is an adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis' "Alias," to be retitled "AKA Jessica Jones" in order to distance itself from the J.J. Abrams spy drama of the same name.

Lee's statements come not too long after the network passed on David E. Kelley's attempted reboot of "Wonder Woman," with some commentators theorizing ABC passed on that show in order to make more room for Marvel. While the "Hulk" adaptation could very easily wind up a disaster for ABC, which seems increasingly more likely given the public's relative disinterest in the films made from the property and del Toro's growing list of involvements, "Jessica Jones" could wind up being a huge sleeper hit for the network, if it goes to air.

Featuring showrunner Melissa Rosenberg, primarily known for her involvement in Showtime's hit "Dexter" and the "Twilight" franchise, "Jessica Jones" could be just the type of show ABC needs now that "Lost" is long over. Bendis' story centers around former superheroine-turned-private-detective Jessica Jones, who deals primarily in hero-related problems. In comics form, the series was known for its grittiness and realism, which led to its status as the first work to be published under the adult-oriented Marvel MAX imprint, an imprint created specifically for the book due to Comics Code-related issues. With its clever mix of superheroics and a true crime feel inspired by the likes "Homicide: Life on the Streets," "Jessica Jones" could pull in fans of shows like "Law & Order" as well as the typical comics audience.

While the "Hulk" doesn't have a date attached to it yet, some sources are claiming "Jessica Jones" could reach viewers as soon as next fall.