Marvel’s Decision to Ditch Hulk’s Romance with Black Widow Was a Smart Move

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The tale of Hulk within the Marvel Universe is somewhat disorganized, yet I appreciate the decision they made to exclude a certain aspect from his narrative that had been initially established. Hulk is among the founding Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), even though Mark Ruffalo didn’t make his entrance until the 2012 film. However, the character was first presented back in 2008, shortly following the release of Iron Man. Despite being introduced so early, Hulk’s storyline often took a backseat within the broader scope of the MCU.

It’s understandable why Marvel Studios might not have delved deeply into Hulk’s romance with Black Widow, given that his storyline has been fragmented across various projects since 2008, and the character portrayed in these projects can differ significantly, like when Edward Norton played him. This scattered narrative style often skips over detailed explanations or in-depth explorations of events.

The Avengers Set Up A Romance Between Bruce Banner & Natasha Romanoff

Bruce Banner Had An Instant Connection With The Black Widow

In 2012, the movie “The Avengers” showcased the assembly of Earth’s most powerful heroes into an unstoppable team. Although Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor had earlier tales setting the stage for this film, the Hulk’s narrative seemed almost entirely separate from the 2008 movie. Similarly, Natasha Romanoff, a skilled assassin working with SHIELD, had only subtle hints of her backstory presented in films like “Iron Man 2”, leaving her character largely enigmatic.

In a shared sense of isolation and harboring intense emotions they couldn’t always manage, Nat and Bruce found an unexpected bond. Electric tension sparked between them, hinting at a romantic trajectory. Yet, despite this connection and Nat’s unique talent in taming the mighty Hulk, their narrative never developed much further.

Bruce Banner Had A Lot Happen Between Avengers: Age Of Ultron & Avengers: Infinity War

Bruce Banner’s MCU Story Took Him In A Different Direction

In the vast Marvel Universe, teeming with numerous heroes each having their unique tales, Marvel needed to be discerning when choosing which stories to invest resources into. Given Hulk’s limited development that mainly occurred between films or as a secondary character in others’ movies, crafting his storyline proved tricky. Notably, Hulk’s significant return was in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where the bond between Nat and Bruce grew significantly stronger.

By the point when “Avengers: Infinity War” premiered, it appeared that the initial sparks between Bruce Banner and Nat had faded away. Given Hulk’s significant roles in films such as “Thor: Ragnarok,” where his prolonged stay on that planet in his Hulk form was hinted without specifying the duration, it seems likely that the romantic potential between Bruce Banner and Nat was essentially shelved within the MCU.

Hulk & Black Widow’s Relationship Would Have Felt Rushed Anywhere In The MCU

Hulk & Black Widow Were Doomed From The Start

Given that Bruce Banner and Natasha Romanoff only shared two films over a span of thirteen years within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s not surprising that their romantic storyline didn’t get much development. With limited opportunities to delve into their relationship dynamics, its impact on the team, or how they influenced each other’s growth as characters, and their solo movies being primarily standalone stories, their romance was ultimately left out of the MCU narrative.

If Marvel had focused on developing a romantic plot between Nat and Bruce (Hulk), it might have seemed forced and incomplete, potentially taking focus away from crucial aspects of their individual stories. Instead, we saw hints of attraction, significant glances, and an understanding that their relationship wasn’t destined to be. In truth, this approach added more depth to the Hulk’s journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe than a romance that didn’t go anywhere would have done.

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2025-06-07 23:19