Hulk smash! ... but not until the summer of 2003.

Universal Pictures has set June 20, 2003 as the release date for director Ang Lee's adaptation of Marvel Comics' big, green wrecking machine.

"'The Hulk' will be our big tent-pole movie for summer 2003, which will be supported with an unprecedented company-wide marketing effort, and the third weekend in June is the perfect release date for a major event title like this," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said in a press release.

The film stars newcomer Eric Bana ("Chopper," the upcoming "Black Hawk Down") as scientist Bruce Banner, whose exposure to gamma radiation transforms him into The Hulk during moments of stress and anger. Jennifer Connelly ("Requiem For A Dream") stars as Banner's love interest.

Universal promised Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") has conceived the film a "visual effects-intensive superhero movie with the brooding romance and tragedy of Universal's classic horror films."

Although the movie is set in contemporary times, Lee and screenwriter James Schamus are drawing on "The Hulk" as he was originally conceived by the writing and drawing team of Stan Lee and Jack "King" Kirby.

"The Hulk" begins shooting March 18, 2002. Industrial Light & Magic has been hired to create special effects for the film, Universal said. (More on Ang Lee)


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