Why the MCU Still Ignores The Incredible Hulk After 17 Years!

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Marvel Studios passed up an ideal moment to delve into storylines and enigmas established in the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk,” which marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While many key characters have received multiple sequels after their initial appearances, the Hulk, portrayed by Bruce Banner, hasn’t been given the same treatment. Edward Norton’s portrayal of the gamma-irradiated monster-turned-hero debuted 17 years ago, but was subsequently replaced by Mark Ruffalo from “The Avengers” onwards. However, the newer Hulk hasn’t thoroughly explored his predecessor from Phase 1.

It appears that Universal Pictures retains control over The Hulk’s distribution rights, so creating a standalone film for Bruce Banner within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) without their involvement seems highly challenging. This doesn’t fully clarify why Marvel has chosen to downplay the events of The Incredible Hulk, as references to characters and storylines have occasionally resurfaced since then. Regrettably, the upcoming Phase 5 film Captain America: Brave New World did not address this significant inconsistency effectively. Instead, it mishandled the opportunity to rectify this issue.

The Incredible Hulk Has Been Forgotten in the MCU

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that it wasn’t until Mark Ruffalo stepped into the shoes of Bruce Banner, replacing Edward Norton, that the storyline from the film “The Incredible Hulk” seemed to fade into obscurity. Fast forward five years after his transformation due to an experiment, and we meet Bruce Banner once again in Phase 1. He’s on a quest for a cure, evading capture by General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) and Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth). In a twist of fate, he reconnects with his ex-lover and fellow scientist, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), whom we didn’t hear about for eight years following the release of “The Incredible Hulk.

Thaddeus Ross initially made his comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” with William Hurt reprising the character as Secretary of State, presenting the Sokovia Accords to the Avengers. Later, Ross played a significant part in 2022’s “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” as Emil Blonsky’s Abomination. However, Marvel has yet to fully explore the storyline from “The Incredible Hulk,” with some key characters like Ty Burrell’s Leonard Samson entirely absent from the MCU. The absence of Samson is particularly noteworthy since he transforms into the gamma-infused superhero Doc Samson in Marvel Comics.

Captain America: Brave New World Could Have Addressed The Incredible Hulk (But Failed)

Remarkably, Anthony Mackie’s debut as Sam Wilson’s Captain America in 2025’s “Captain America: Brave New World” held the most promise for advancing the storyline from “The Incredible Hulk.” This film delved into various elements of “The Incredible Hulk,” including Thaddeus Ross becoming U.S. President, Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) reemerging as the Leader, Betty Ross making a brief appearance, and the introduction of a new Hulk, Red Hulk, who was none other than Thaddeus Ross himself. However, one significant character who could have tied all these storylines together was noticeably absent.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, it’s truly disappointing that Bruce Banner himself didn’t share the screen with Sam Wilson in “Captain America: Brave New World.” After all, Banner has been conspicuously absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since the shocking and puzzling ending of “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” Even “Marvel’s What If…?” Season 3 made an effort to establish a friendship between Banner and Wilson. It would have been fantastic if “Brave New World” had built upon this, but alas, Banner was nowhere to be found, even when his former lover reappeared, and his arch-nemesis transformed into a new Hulk. The Incredible Hulk remains an intriguing yet distant part of the MCU’s rich history.

How Marvel Studios Can Still Follow Up The Incredible Hulk in the Current MCU Timeline

Despite some lingering questions about the narrative of The Incredible Hulk, there’s hope that Marvel Studios might still bring resolution to the Phase 1 film’s plot and characters. The storyline hinted at in Captain America: Brave New World could pave the way for the ongoing examination of The Incredible Hulk’s role within the MCU timeline. Future projects, like rumored stories, can potentially expand upon this. Although Mark Ruffalo’s appearance in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars hasn’t been confirmed yet, it looks likely he will be part of these films, providing an opportunity for the Hulk’s story to unfold further.

There’s been talk that the rights for Hulk’s movies might come back to Disney soon, potentially leading to a fresh solo Hulk film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). If it delves into a popular comic book storyline like “World War Hulk” or something new entirely, it would be thrilling to witness a genuine follow-up to “The Incredible Hulk.” Mark Ruffalo’s remarkable portrayal of the Avenger deserves more focus in the MCU, and continuing the narrative from “The Incredible Hulk” is the ideal way to ensure this happens.

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2025-06-15 01:11