Marvel's live-action Disney Plus television shows have been massively successful so far, with WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki all receiving critical and audience acclaim. Marvel is no doubt hoping to continue this success with the next MCU shows on its roster, which includes Hawkeye, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and of course, She-Hulk.
She-Hulk has captured the attention of many fans ever since it was announced. The titular character would be introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the television show. In fact, despite the popularity of the character both in the comics and in various animated Marvel projects over the years, this would be the first time that the character of She-Hulk ever headlined her own series.
Filming on She-Hulk was meant to start in 2020, but as with many projects, production was delayed due to COVID-19. It is currently in production and will not get released until 2022. As is the case with many Marvel projects, most details of the show have been kept under wraps. However, there is still quite a bit of information already known about the exciting upcoming series.
Who Is She-Hulk?
She-Hulk premiered in Marvel comics in 1980. A lawyer, Jennifer Walters, gets seriously wounded and ends up getting an emergency blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce Banner. She recieves a variation of his Hulk powers, transforming into a powerful, super-strong, Amazonian, green version of herself. However, unlike Bruce, she retains her intelligence and emotional control when in Hulk form. She also retains most aspects of her personality, although becomes more assertive, confident, and quick to anger when in her Hulk form.
At first, Jennifer's powers are triggered by anger, just like Bruce's powers. She later gains more control over her transformation. Eventually, she chooses to remain in her green She-Hulk form as much as she can, viewing that form as more true to who she is and preferring to feel more strong, free, and confident. In the comics, she eventually joins the Avengers, and continues to work with them off and on over the years.
What Will The Show Be About?
She-Hulk sounds like it will stand out from the rest of the Marvel television shows so far. Marvel head Kevin Feige described the show as a half-hour legal comedy. He said that it is "a series about a woman trying to navigate the world and be taken seriously as a working professional despite the fact that she is well over 6'7 and green." Jennifer Walters is a lawyer who specializes in superhero-related legal cases, which opens up possibilities for other Marvel characters to appear in the series. Feige also stated that She-Hulk could appear in other MCU shows and movies going forward.
The series is said to be a lighthearted comedy combined with intense action. Feige has said it is based on John Byrne's take on She-Hulk, Sensational She-Hulk, which began in 1989. Byrne's She-Hulk was often known for her tendency to break the fourth wall, jumping between pages and speaking directly to the audience or even the writer. It seems possible that the MCU's version of the character could do the same within the context of the television show.
Cast
It has been announced that Tatiana Maslany will be playing the titular character of Jennifer Walters or "She-Hulk" in the Disney Plus show. Well known for her work playing multiple characters as the star of science fiction series Orphan Black, Maslany is well equipped to take on the role. Ginger Gonzaga of Space Force will be playing Jennifer's best friend, and Hamilton star Renee Elise Goldberg will be playing a character only known so far as Amelia. Arrow's Josh Segarra and actress Anais Almonte have both been cast in unknown roles.
The Good Place's Jameela Jamil will also be a part of the show, cast as Marvel comics supervillain Titania. Jamil posted a video of herself fight training, as Titania is known to be a skilled hand-to-hand fighter. Some familiar faces will also make appearances on She-Hulk. Unsurprisingly, Mark Ruffalo will be appearing the Hulk himself, Bruce Banner, on the show. A face that may be more surprising for viewers is Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky, better known as "the Abomination." The character was last seen in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, although he can also be spotted in the trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Crew and Production
Kat Coiro will be directing several episodes of the show, as well as executive producing. Described as the "visionary leader of the series," Coiro has previously worked on TV shows such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Modern Family, Dead to Me, Shameless, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The episodes she does not direct will be directed by Anu Valia, who has directed episodes for Never Have I Ever, Mixed-ish, and Awkwafina is Nora From Queens. Rick and Morty's Jessica Gao is acting as head writer for She-Hulk, and is joined in the writer's room by Dana Shwartz, Melissa Hunter, Cody Ziglar, and Kara Brown.
She-Hulk will have ten thirty minute episodes, with the potential for more seasons to come. The show began filming on April 10 2021 between Los Angeles and Atlanta, Georgia, with filming expected to continue through August 2021. The show is set to debut on Disney Plus in 2022.