8 Ways The Hulk’s MCU Story Could Have Been Completely Different

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As a passionate film enthusiast, I must admit that the journey of the Hulk has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with highs and lows. If you take a closer look, there are numerous ways this iconic Marvel Comics character could have unfolded differently. Despite being one of the earliest heroes to gain success on TV and the big screen from the Marvel stable, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has faced its fair share of challenges while shaping their interpretation of the Green Goliath. Yet, I must commend Mark Ruffalo’s outstanding performance and the exceptional CGI work by the MCU that have undeniably elevated the Hulk to new heights among his admirers – making him one of the best portrayals of the character to date.

Despite their initial appearance in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk”, the character has displayed a bit of inconsistency across various films. While the Hulk has made numerous appearances, his narrative often takes a secondary role to other storylines. As a result, after 17 years, the character’s legacy is somewhat confused, but there are many opportunities for change and improvement in the future.

8. Red Hulk Could Have Been Introduced Much Earlier In The MCU

The movie “Captain America: Brave New World” garnered a variety of opinions, but one standout aspect was the portrayal of the fiery Red Hulk. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, similar to its comic book origins, this character is Thaddeus Ross who transforms following excessive gamma radiation exposure. This transformation, ironically, makes him what he’s long despised: a Hulk-like figure. Interestingly, Ross had been featured in the MCU multiple times prior to this unexpected revelation.

In a revised scenario of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Brave New World” implies that General Ross might have been administered drugs over a long period to transform into the Red Hulk, instead of his current portrayal. If the MCU had chosen to alter the narrative slightly, it could have introduced the Red Hulk earlier, perhaps even in “Captain America: Civil War,” where Ross set the terms of the Sokovia Accords for the Avengers. This could have offered an opportunity for Ross and Bruce Banner’s Hulk to confront each other and resolve their longstanding conflicts at a different point in the storyline.

7. The Avengers Almost Made Hulk The Villain

In 2012, when “The Avengers” was released, it presented an intricate plotline where Loki emerged as the principal adversary against Earth’s strongest superheroes. This marked Mark Ruffalo’s first appearance as the character on the silver screen and was a significant milestone for the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe. Interestingly, the script for the movie initially contemplated a drastically different narrative, with Hulk being the central antagonist instead.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Hulk exhibits reckless behavior and has a penchant for destruction. Initially, both Hulk and Bruce Banner had minimal control over their actions during the early stages of the MCU. They were often at odds with each other, and whenever Hulk emerged, chaos and devastation were never far behind. The MCU could have used this dynamic to provide a path for character redemption, adding an exciting dimension to Hulk’s interactions with other heroes.

6. Edward Norton Could Have Continued Playing The Hulk Under Different Circumstances

In 2008, the Oscar-winning actor Edward Norton played the lead in “The Incredible Hulk”. However, it seems there were disagreements between Norton and the studio regarding the direction of Bruce Banner (and his transformation into the Hulk). Subsequently, after the film’s release, Norton decided to depart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This paved the way for Mark Ruffalo to take on the role, bringing a fresh interpretation to the character.

Mark Ruffalo has truly excelled in his role as the Hulk within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly his collaboration with Robert Downey Jr., has solidified this position. However, there was an alternate scenario where Edward Norton continued portraying the character. In that case, we might have witnessed a more expansive role for the Hulk, possibly even a sequel. Yet, such a change could have significantly shifted the light-hearted and comical essence of the character, as established by The Avengers.

5. Mark Ruffalo Almost Got His Own Solo Hulk Movie In The Infinity Saga

During the Infinity Saga, it was nearly assured that Norton’s character would receive a sequel, and there were intentions to feature Mark Ruffalo in a standalone Hulk film. Although numerous rumors and speculations swirled about what this tale might have unfolded, nothing has been definitively confirmed. Nevertheless, the idea of a solo Hulk movie remains captivatingly intriguing.

Looking forward to the impending conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, I can’t help but ponder over the possibility of a standalone Hulk film in our future. Reflecting on the earlier phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems that such a movie would have delved deeper into the narrative of the Hulk, fleshing out the intricate relationship between Bruce Banner and his transformative alter ego. The Hulk’s tale is rich and layered, and thus far, we’ve only managed to catch fleeting glimpses of its full potential within the grand tapestry of the MCU.

4. Bruce Banner Appeared To Have A Romantic Connection With Natasha Romanoff

A potential storyline for Bruce Banner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe seemed to involve a romantic connection with Natasha Romanoff. When they first encounter each other in The Avengers, there’s a hint of a mutual attraction as they recognize shared hardships. However, this initial connection seems to fade in subsequent films. Despite reuniting in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the Hulk departed for Sakaar shortly afterward.

In the film “Avengers: Endgame“, their connection seems purely friendly and non-romantic, also known as platonic. The development of this swift romance is intriguing, but it might have been more fully fleshed out in a standalone movie. Given Hulk’s limited screen presence, perhaps it was wiser to omit the relationship from the storyline for the sake of time and focus.

3. Hulk Could Have Been A Major Contender In Civil War

Discussing Hulk’s surprising journey to an alien world, where he met up with Thor on Sakaar, their friends back on Earth found themselves engaged in a heated conflict. The enactment of the Sokovia Accords, a legislation born from the Avengers’ destructive and fatal actions in cities like New York and Sokovia, left the heroes on our planet divided over whether to comply with these accords.

It seems wiser that the two Avengers, who might be considered the strongest among them, weren’t near Earth at the time. If Hulk had remained on Earth, he likely would have outmatched other heroes effortlessly. Yet, since Hulk and Banner still harbored their conflict, it remains uncertain if they could have influenced the discussions effectively.

2. Hulk Could Have Fought In The Battle Of Wakanda

Discussing instances where Hulk was expected to appear in battles but didn’t, the film Avengers: Infinity War starts with Hulk facing off against Thanos; however, he doesn’t show up again for the rest of the movie, allowing Bruce Banner to take over the fight. While this choice fits well within the narrative, it might have been a bit misleading considering that trailers for Avengers: Infinity War showed an intriguing scene with the Avengers charging towards Thanos, depicting Hulk among the other heroes.

Indeed, it’s clear that the portrayal in the trailer masked the fact that the Hulk would have minimal screen time throughout the story, leading viewers to believe that he might conquer his fear and aid the heroes. Today, regulations regarding misleading content in trailers are more stringent, but this scene from the trailer continues to ignite anticipation for a genuine showdown between Hulk and Thanos.

1. Smart Hulk Could Have Looked Very Different

In “Avengers: Endgame,” a new form of Smart Hulk was presented, distinct from the Hulk we’d seen on screen for about ten years before. Instead of the ferocious beast, Bruce Banner managed to retain control over his mind, while also possessing the body and strength of the Hulk. However, in the comics, Professor Hulk is a significantly different portrayal of this unique blend of personalities.

In the movie “Endgame”, Bruce Banner appears to have full command over his body and mind, as the Hulk seems to be in a dormant state within him. However, the comic book version portrays a character that combines both their minds and personalities, resulting in an individual who is as intelligent and brilliant as Banner but also possesses the primal rage of the Hulk. The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is noticeably less aggressive, and his absence from the narrative leaves a noticeable gap.

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2025-06-05 23:08