Hulkmay finally get a newMCUstoryline of his own inAvengers: Secret Warsthanks toSpider-Man: Brand New Day.The climax ofHulk’s MCU storyapparently happened off-screen when Bruce Banner created Smart Hulk. Smart Hulk’s debut has been a point of controversy, as it skipped the most pivotal part of Hulk’s journey in favor of a time jump.
However, Mark Ruffalo’s continued presence in the MCU suggests Hulk’s story isn’t over. Whereas Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers bowed out afterAvengers: Endgame, Ruffalo stayed on. Smart Hulk may only represent the midpoint of Hulk’s arc. In Phase 6,Spider-Man: Brand New DayandAvengers: Doomsdayare set to resume Hulk’s journey.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Hulk Return Is Theorized To Bring Back The Hero’s Savage Form
Mark Ruffalo has been confirmed to return inSpider-Man: Brand New Day. Ruffalo’s Hulk joins a growing list of Marvel characters sharing the spotlight inDestin Daniel Cretton’s 2026Spider-Man: Brand New Day, including Michael Mando’s Scorpion, Sadie Sink’s unconfirmed character, and the movie’s mystery main villain. Besides Peter Parker, Hulk may also interact with the Punisher, Scorpion, and multiple other MCU characters.
SinceSpider-Man: Brand New Dayappears to be pitting Spidey against the Punisher, it will likely pit both of them against the Hulk as well. Mark Ruffalo is unlikely to be playing a calm and comedic Smart Hulk in such an action-fueled movie. Instead,a three-way fight againstSpider-Man: Brand New Day’s three most famous Marvel heroes is the least fans can expect.
The Original Hulk’s Return Comes Just In Time For Doomsday & Secret Wars
Smart Hulk’s reversion to his primal form inSpider-Man: Brand New Dayensures that he’s in peak shape forAvengers: Doomsday. If Hulk is meant to have a significant role in the conflict, the Avengers might need a raw force of nature rather than a subdued, slightly stronger version of Bruce Banner.Mark Ruffalo’s return as Smart Hulk would be redundant.
Having Smart Hulk appear in a limited support role would be a missed opportunity.While Banner’s smarts may play a key role in the plot, there’s little else his peaceful personality could contribute toAvengers: Doomsday.Instead, Hulk’s struggle between his humanity and his unbridled rage would provide a level of tension not seen in the MCU sinceAvengers: Age of Ultron.
Avengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warsare arguably the best moments for Hulk to continue his personal arc. These crossover events are the end of the Multiverse Saga and will likely lead to a soft-reboot of multiple characters. The Savage Hulk’s Phase 6 re-emergence might be the last chance to see the original Hulk interact with the Avengers and other MCU characters.
Avengers: Secret Wars Could Adapt The Immortal Hulk In Its Own MCU Timeline
Avengers: Doomsdayis expected to center on Doctor Doom battling multiple hero factions.Avengers: Secret Warscould then shift focus to Battleworld, the patchwork planet created after Doom’s victory.Rather than existing as a separate dimension, the Below-Place could be one of Battleworld’s realms and a dark and personal battleground where Hulk’s mystical origins are explored while other heroes fight in other realms.
This approach would mirror how Hulk’s arc has been developed across previous supporting roles. The Below-Place’s existence in Battleworld would allow Hulk to have a self-containedImmortal Hulksubplot inAvengers: Secret Wars, just likeThor: Ragnarokadapted certain aspects ofPlanet Hulk. While Doom rules over other territories, Hulk could confront his physical and psychological threats in a horror-themed arena.
AnImmortal Hulksubplot inAvengers: Secret Warscould push the limits of Hulk’s rage and explore the real origins of Bruce Banner and Hulk’s duality. She-Hulk and Skaar could accompany Hulk, and Brian Banner / Devil Hulk could appear as a secondary villain.Avengers: Secret Warscould also tie the Below-Place to Doctor Doom, who may be interested in harnessing its power.
Avengers: Secret Wars Seems Like The Only Way To Adapt The Immortal Hulk
Marvel is unlikely to greenlight a Hulk sequel due toUniversal’s ownership of Hulk’s distribution rights. This is especially true now that Marvel is facing diminishing box office returns and the studio might be hesitant to take commercial risks.IncorporatingThe Immortal HulkintoAvengers: Secret Warsensures Hulk’s most famous modern storyline can still reach the screen without a standalone release.
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is one of the last original Avengers still active by the timeAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Warsarrive. He has a natural place in both crossovers, potentially with a bigger role than his recent ensemble appearances. AfterSpider-Man: Brand New DayandAvengers: Doomsday, Hulk’s journey could become an essential subplot that complements Doctor Doom’s multiversal conquest.
Avengers: Secret Wars' multiversal nature presents the perfect opportunity to explore a fantastical realm like the Below-Place, even if it doesn’t take center stage.The Immortal Hulk’s dark tone, body horror, and psychological ideas deserve a full-length movie of their own. However, capturing Al Ewing’s comic book storyline on the big screen before the chance is gone might be more important.
