Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)

Of the colorful characters that populate "The Avengers," few have a more beloved place in the heart of audiences than the green goliath known as the Hulk. That would be because from 1978 to 1982, the character appeared in the popular television series "The Incredible Hulk," starring Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as his rage-driven alter ego (Ferrigno also provides the voice of the Hulk in "The Avengers"). In fact, the concept of the live-action shared universe can be traced back to the made-for-television "Incredible Hulk" movies produced after the series was canceled. Both Thor and Daredevil appeared in those best-left-forgotten adventures. In addition to their foray on network television, Banner and the Hulk appeared in two movies, "Hulk," starring Eric Bana, and "The Incredible Hulk," starring Edward Norton, neither of which was connected to the shared universe that now exists, and can only be considered marginally successful. But with a new television show in development (and maybe another film?), this is one character that could seriously benefit from "The Avengers" being a hit.

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(Disney/AP)