For over a decade, the Hulk has been one of the most unique and fascinating characters in the MCU. From his chaotic debut in ‘The Incredible Hulk’ to his transition to “Smart Hulk” in ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Bruce Banner’s journey has constantly evolved.
However, years after years of the more subdued Smart Hulk storyline, Marvel fans have been left wondering, where’s the rage? Where’s the raw, emotional force that once defined the Hulk? Looking at the MCU’s current direction and upcoming films, it appears that the franchise may be setting the stage to bring back the original, smashing version of the Hulk.
Smart Hulk Shows Development, But He Isn’t What Hulk Truly Stands For
When Smart Hulk was introduced in ‘Avengers: Endgame’, it was a bold move. Bruce Banner had seemingly made peace with the angry, green alter ego that once terrified him. By merging his intelligence with the Hulk’s strength, Banner created a version of the character that was calmer, more rational, and… less exciting for some fans. While the Professor Hulk arc had its roots in Marvel comics, the transformation was revealed entirely off-screen.
Instead of letting the audience witness this crucial shift, they were simply told it had happened. And ever since, the Hulk has taken a noticeable backseat in the MCU. He played a minor role in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and while we got glimpses of his family life and emotional growth, the unpredictability that once defined him has been absent.
Additionally, it’s not that Smart Hulk is inherently uninteresting, on the contrary, it’s a fascinating development that shows Banner’s internal growth. However, that very growth seems to have muted the chaos, passion, and depth that the classic Hulk brought to the table. It’s like the MCU traded in raw emotion for quiet intellect, and in doing so, lost some of the character’s essence. What makes the Hulk compelling is the constant tension between man and monster. So, by resolving that tension too neatly, the story risks becoming stale.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Might’ve Been The Catalyst To Bring The Hulk Back
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ might have been the breaking point, for Bruce Banner, and for Smart Hulk. This film introduced Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross as both the U.S. President and the Red Hulk, played by the legendary Harrison Ford. For longtime fans, this was a direct callback to the Hulk’s roots. Ross has a long history of hunting and tormenting the Hulk, going back to the very beginning of the MCU.
Even though Banner may have made peace with Ross on a surface level, the Hulk, especially the original, volatile version, may not have. Seeing his old nemesis not only in power but turned into another version of the Hulk could trigger a deep, primal response. Additionally, with ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ on the horizon, the MCU is entering uncharted territory.
These films are expected to bring multiversal chaos, reality-warping stakes, and a scale of conflict, unlike anything we’ve seen before. In such high-pressure scenarios, Smart Hulk’s calm demeanor might not be enough. The return of the original Hulk, unpredictable, furious, and devastating, could be exactly what the Avengers need. And narratively, it would be a poetic full circle for the character.
Moreover, bringing back the original Hulk doesn’t mean undoing all the growth Bruce Banner has undergone. On the contrary, it opens up a deeper exploration of who he is. What if, instead of merging with the Hulk to suppress him, Banner learns to truly coexist with him? And let’s be honest, many fans miss the Hulk. The real Hulk. The one who tore through Chitauri in ‘The Avengers’, and stood toe-to-toe with Thor in ‘Ragnarok’. His absence has been felt, and Marvel has a golden opportunity to bring him back.
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