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Hancock

There are heroes. There are superheroes. And then there's Hancock.

2008 · 92 min · Fantasy
7.1 Modest
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Fantasy Action

Hancock is a down-and-out superhero who's forced to employ a PR expert to help repair his image when the public grows weary of all the damage he's inflicted during his lifesaving heroics. The agent's idea of imprisoning the antihero to make the world miss him proves successful, but will Hancock stick to his new sense of purpose or slip back into old habits?

Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Year
2008
Studio
Columbia Pictures · Relativity Media · Blue Light · Weed Road Pictures

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

The screenplay was originally written by Vy Vincent Ngo in 1996 under the title 'Tonight, He Comes', about a troubled 12-year-old and a fallen superhero, and it languished in development hell for over a decade.

Origins

The project went through several directors before Peter Berg, including Tony Scott, Michael Mann, Jonathan Mostow, and Gabriele Muccino, with Vince Gilligan and John August rewriting Ngo's original script along the way.

Casting

Dave Chappelle was at one point considered for the lead role before Will Smith committed to the project.

Casting

Will Smith's pay-or-play contract for the film was worth $20 million plus 20 percent of the film's gross, and he had also arranged to film I Am Legend for Warner Bros. once this project wrapped.

Origins

The film was originally intended to receive an R rating, but it was toned down to fit Will Smith's image once he signed on, and elements like a statutory rape subplot and drinking in front of a minor were removed to secure a PG-13 rating after two prior R-rated submissions to the MPAA.

Filming

Director Peter Berg was in the middle of filming The Kingdom when he heard about the project and called producer Michael Mann to get involved; he compared the original script's tone to Leaving Las Vegas, describing it as a scathing character study of a suicidal alcoholic superhero before it was lightened up.

Filming

The film was retitled several times, going from 'Tonight, He Comes' to 'John Hancock' before being shortened to 'Hancock'; marketing consultants later urged Sony to change the title again, suggesting alternatives like 'Heroes Never Die' and 'Unlikely Hero', but the studio kept 'Hancock'.

Filming

For scenes in liquor stores, the art department had to design fake vodka labels like 'Pap Smear Vodka' because real 'brown-bag' liquor brands such as Thunderbird and Night Train refused to have their names associated with the alcoholic superhero character.

Filming

Reshoots were filmed in Times Square in May 2008, so late that the film's originally planned world premiere in Australia on June 10, 2008 had to be cancelled.

Effects

Will Smith performed flying scenes suspended by wires 60 feet above the ground and propelled at 40-50 miles per hour to give a realistic appearance of superhero flight.

Effects

This was Peter Berg's first film relying heavily on visual effects, and he called the computer-generated fight scene his least favorite part to direct because of how little creative control he had once effects work took over.

Effects

A gag involving Hancock shoving a prisoner's head into another inmate's anus was initially attempted practically with sleight-of-hand camera tricks, but the crew ultimately used computer-generated effects to properly capture the vulgarity of the joke.

Reception

Despite mixed critical reviews criticizing its abrupt mid-movie tonal shift, Hancock grossed $629.4 million worldwide, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2008.

Memorable quotes

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Do I look like I care what people think?

Hancock Defending his indifferent attitude toward public opinion.

What you want? A cookie? Get the hell out of my face.

Hancock Dismissing someone trying to get his attention.

But if you don't pull over & give yourselves up quietly, I swear to Christ, your head is going up the driver's ass, his head is going up your ass, and you drew the short straw, cause your head's going up my ass.

Hancock Threatening criminals with an absurd and graphic threat.

(to Mary, during their row) I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!! I HATE TO BURST YOUR CRAZY LADY BUBBLE, BUT IT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN ALL THAT GREAT, 'CAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER YOU!

Hancock Angrily denying any memory of a past relationship with Mary.

Well you should sue McDonalds cause they fucked you up.

Hancock Insulting someone's physical appearance harshly.

All you people blocking the intersection...you're all idiots.

Hancock Criticizing people blocking traffic.

(repeated line) Call me an asshole, one more time.

Hancock Daring someone to call him out again.

That's something you might want to bring up on a first date, Mary. "I don't like to travel." "I'm allergic to cats." "I'm immortal." Those are like some things you might want to give a little heads up on.

Ray Embrey Pointing out important relationship disclosures Hancock should have mentioned.

Whatever we are we were built in twos, okay? We're drawn to each other — no matter how far I run, he's always there — he finds me! It's physics!

Mary Embrey Explaining the supernatural bond between her and Hancock.

(to Hancock) GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!!!

Mary Embrey Chasing after Hancock in frustration.

(after Ray says Hancock to go away) Technically speaking, he's my husband.

Mary Embrey Revealing her true connection to Hancock to Ray.

Okay! I was flying! And — I'm very strong — as well. It's just the way we are.

Mary Embrey Confessing her superhuman abilities to Ray.

You're a superhero for God's sake, people should love you.

Ray Embrey Expressing frustration that people should appreciate superheroes.

You're an asshole.

Ray Embrey Direct criticism of Hancock's behavior.

You're gonna change the world. Good job, Ray.

Hancock Acknowledging Ray's positive influence on the world.

(to Mary) You better not hit me with that truck!

Hancock Warning Mary during their conflict.

What is it, National Horn Day?

Ray Embrey Sarcastic comment about excessive car honking.

You gotta wonder though, what kind of bastard must I have been.....that nobody was there to claim me? I mean, I'm no, I'm not the most charming guy on the world so I've been told, but nobody?

Hancock Reflecting on his isolation and lack of anyone to claim him.

How the community felt

😵 Shocked 40%
🥹 Moved 40%
😆 Amused 60%

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