Summary
- MCU fans have been calling for Bruce Banner's Hulk to revert to his "savage" persona for many years, as he's been criticized for being "nerfed".
- Captain America: Brave New World is set to bring a new, unadulterated Hulk into the MCU, but it's not Bruce Banner.
- While the Red Hulk could quench our thirst for a "savage" Hulk, it would still be great to see Bruce Banner let loose.
Although it won't be happening as I expected it to,
Captain America: Brave New World seems to finally be addressing major criticisms with the Hulk in the MCU. As one of the MCU's original superheroes, Bruce Banner's Hulk has had plenty of time to evolve and change over the years. Edward Norton debuted as Bruce Banner in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, while Mark Ruffalo has become more synonymous with the role, and has seen the biggest transformations. However, I'm one of many who haven't received all of these changes to the Hulk positively.
Because of film rights disputes, the Hulk unfortunately hasn't been able to embark on a solo adventure since The Incredible Hulk. However, his appearances in other heroes' projects have featured some remarkable developments for the character, but some of these have been pretty controversial. I have enjoyed seeing Bruce Banner come to terms with his two personas over the years, but
enough's enough, I want to see the so-called "Savage Hulk" return to the MCU. Interestingly, it seems Phase 5's Captain America: Brave New World might make this possible.
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Related 10 Marvel Characters Who Are Way Weaker In The MCU Than In The Comics While most of these MCU characters are still powerful, their Marvel Comic counterparts" powers make them look pretty weak by comparison.
Bruce Banner Hasn’t Been The Savage Hulk In Years & It's A Shame
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When referring to the "Savage Hulk", I mean the version of the green creature that was seen in the MCU's early days. It's been years since this version of the Hulk has been seen in the MCU, as he was featured prominently in The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron and, to an extent, Thor: Ragnarok, but hasn't been seen since.
There have been calls for this more brutal and more mindless version of Bruce Banner's alter ego to return to the MCU, as it's a shame that the powerful character has been "nerfed".
Hulk's MCU Appearances
Year
Version
The Incredible Hulk
2008
Savage Hulk
The Avengers
2012
Savage Hulk
Iron Man 3
2013
Bruce Banner (Cameo)
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015
Savage Hulk
Thor: Ragnarok
2017
Intelligent Hulk
Avengers: Infinity War
2018
Bruce Banner
Captain Marvel
2019
Bruce Banner (Cameo)
Avengers: Endgame
2019
Smart Hulk
What If...?
2021-23
Voice in 4 Episodes
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
2021
Bruce Banner (Cameo)
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
2022
Smart Hulk
Nerfing occurs when a character's power-level is lowered in each new installment, which is exactly what has happened to the Hulk in the MCU. While I've enjoyed seeing Mark Ruffalo get the chance to show more of his acting talents when in the Hulk and Smart Hulk personas, I miss the more animalistic version of the Hulk from Phases 1 and 2.
This Hulk had fewer inhibitions and was more unpredictable, which kept the action exciting. We all remember his battle with Iron Man in the Hulkbuster armor in Age of Ultron - I want this back.
Captain America: Brave New World Will Debut A New Savage Hulk In The MCU Close It's been known for some time that
Captain America: Brave New World will include several Hulk-related characters from the MCU's past. This includes Thaddeus Ross, the new President of the United States, as well as his daughter, Betty Ross, and Dr. Samuel Sterns' Leader. Frankly, I'm surprised Bruce Banner himself isn't appearing in the upcoming movie, but while the Hulk won't be involved specifically, a new Hulk-like character will be. Captain America: Brave New World's first teaser trailer has confirmed the debut of the Red Hulk.
Your browser does not support the video tag. It's unclear how big a role the Red Hulk, who is presumably the enhanced form of Harrison Ford's President Ross, will have in Captain America: Brave New World. Whatever the case may be, it's undeniable that Marvel Studios will finally be bringing a "Savage Hulk" back to the MCU in the form of the Red Hulk, as
this villainous Hulk character has an incredible amount of power, and very little care for others' wellbeings. This might quench my thirst for a brutal Hulk to appear in the MCU, but it won't be enough.
I Still Want Bruce Banner’s Hulk To Let His Hair Down (Maybe Even More Now)
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The only character who could be in with a chance at bringing down the new antagonist may be Bruce Banner's Hulk.
I'm incredibly excited for the Red Hulk's debut in Captain America: Brave New World, particularly since I've been waiting years to see some badass Hulk action that's been missing from Bruce Banner. However, it is a shame that it's not Banner getting this treatment. After all,
Banner has been the subject of criticism aimed at the Hulk's nerfing in the MCU, so he should be reverted to his original form, or elevated into something even more dangerous. I still want this to happen, maybe even more after Captain America: Brave New World's trailer.
There have been questions raised about Sam Wilson's ability to battle the Red Hulk in
Captain America: Brave New World, as he's a significantly powerful villain in Marvel Comics. The only character who could be in with a chance at bringing down the new antagonist may be Bruce Banner's Hulk, but only with the full capacity of his strength. This provides the perfect opportunity for Marvel Studios to allow Bruce Banner to let his hair down, fully embracing the brutality of the Hulk in an effort to take on his greatest and longest-running enemy, Thaddeus Ross.
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Captain America: Brave New World FantasyAdventureAction Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
Director Julius Onah
Release Date February 14, 2025
Cast Anthony Mackie , Harrison Ford , Tim Blake Nelson , Carl Lumby , Danny Ramirez , shira haas
prequel(s) Captain America: The Winter Soldier , Captain America: Civil War , Avengers: Infinity War Upcoming MCU Movies
Release Date
Deadpool & Wolverine
July 26, 2024
Captain America: Brave New World
February 14, 2025
Thunderbolts*
May 5, 2025
The Fantastic Four
July 25, 2025
Blade
November 7, 2025
Avengers 5
May 1, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars
May 7, 2027
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