The Hulk's story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had its ups and downs, but there are a lot of things that could have been very different. Hulk may be one of the most popular characters from Marvel Comics, and one of the first heroes in their lineup to see success in TV and film, but the MCU has had a lot of challenges in establishing their version of the Green Goliath. However, Mark Ruffalo's performance and the CGI from the MCU have largely been praised as some of the best iterations for the hero to date.
Despite this, the character has been a little all over the place since they debuted in 2008s The Incredible Hulk. Since then, the Hulk has shown up in several movies as a ing character, but his story is always taking a backseat to other plots. Now, 17 years later, the character's legacy is muddled, but a lot of things could have been very different.
8 Red Hulk Could Have Been Introduced Much Earlier In The MCU
Captain America: Brave New World got a lot of mixed reviews, but one highlight of the film was the inclusion of the hot-headed Red Hulk. In the MCU, as in the comics, this creature is Thaddeus Ross after being exposed to high doses of gamma radiation, and it leads to the former general becoming the thing he has always had a grudge against: a Hulk. However, Ross had been seen in the MCU many times before this big reveal.
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Brave New World explains that Ross has been taking these medications that essentially poisoned him to become the Red Hulk for years. And if the MCU had opted to change the story a little, they could have had the Red Hulk appear somewhere else, much earlier. Whether that was in Captain America: Civil War, when Ross dictates the of the Sokovia Accords to the Avengers, or at some other point where he could face off against Bruce Banner's Hulk and finally settle their differences.
7 The Avengers Almost Made Hulk The Villain
When The Avengers came out in 2012, it featured a twisty plot that saw Loki step up as the main villain against Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This was also Mark Ruffalo's debut as the character on the big screen, and a monumental moment for the wider MCU. However, the story for the film almost went in a very different direction that would have seen Hulk as the primary antagonist.
Hulk is reckless and he loves to smash. While he is technically a part of Bruce Banner, the truth is, early in the MCU, neither Hulk nor Bruce Banner had a lot of control. Both were fighting against each other, and when Hulk came to the surface, a trail of destruction followed him. No doubt, the MCU would have had the character seek redemption, but it could have been a fun start to the character's appearances alongside the other heroes.
6 Edward Norton Could Have Continued Playing The Hulk Under Different Circumstances
In 2008, Edward Norton, an Oscar-winning actor, was the star of The Incredible Hulk. Unfortunately, it appears that the actor and the studio had different ideas about what they wanted to do with the character of Bruce Banner and his alter-ego, the Hulk, and following the release of the movie, Norton parted ways with the MCU. Of course, this led to Mark Ruffalo being cast in the role and delivering his own unique spin on the character.
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Ruffalo has done a great job, and his chemistry with actors like Robert Downey Jr. has cemented his place as the Hulk of the MCU. Despite this, there was a world in which Norton kept playing the part. This may have led to the character having a much bigger role, and likely even a sequel, but it would have also drastically altered the tone of the character away from the fun and goofy version that The Avengers gave birth to.
5 Mark Ruffalo Almost Got His Own Solo Hulk Movie In The Infinity Saga
While Norton was almost guaranteed to get a sequel, there were plans for Mark Ruffalo to star in a Hulk movie during the Infinity Saga. While many rumors and plenty of speculation circulated about what this story could have looked like, nothing is certain. However, the prospect of a solo Hulk movie is one that is incredibly exciting.
Now, as the Multiverse Saga moves ever closer to its end, it appears that the potential for a solo Hulk movie could still be a hope for the future. Yet, if Hulk had starred in a movie in the first Saga of the MCU, it would have developed a lot more of his story, and explored the relationship between Bruce Banner and his alter ego. The Hulk story is complex, and it's been difficult to get more than a glimpse at this potential in the wider MCU.
4 Bruce Banner Appeared To Have A Romantic Connection With Natasha Romanoff
One plot that appeared to be developing for Bruce Banner in the MCU was the prospect of a relationship with Natasha Romanoff. When the pair meet in The Avengers, there is a spark as they find commonalities in their struggles. However, this spark appears to be snuffed in the next several movies where they show up. While Avengers: Age of Ultron saw them reunite, Hulk wound up on Sakaar soon after.
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Then, in Avengers: Endgame, the pair appear to have become entirely platonic in their relationship. What happens in this whirlwind romance is a mystery, but one that could have been explored in a solo movie. However, it may have been for the best that the relationship was left out considering the limited time that Hulk has had on screen.
3 Hulk Could Have Been A Major Contender In Civil War
Speaking about Hulk's unexpected foray to an alien planet, while he and Thor reunite on Sakaar, their friends on Earth were in a tense battle. With the introduction of the Sokovia Accords, which were ed in response to the destructive and fatal nature of the Avengers actions in places like New York and Sokovia, the Earth-bound heroes were split on whether to accept the Accords.
It was probably for the best that the two Avengers, who could arguably make a case as the most powerful Avenger, were nowhere close to Earth. If Hulk was still on Earth, he could have easily overpowered other heroes. However, since Hulk and Banner were still at odds, it's difficult to predict if they would have been able to actually alter the course of the discussions.
2 Hulk Could Have Fought In The Battle Of Wakanda
Speaking of battles where the Hulk should have been present but wasn't, Avengers: Infinity War opens with Hulk confronting Thanos, but he doesn't surface throughout the rest of the film, instead leaving the fight up to Bruce Banner. In of the story, this makes a lot of sense, but when watching the trailers for Avengers: Infinity War, an interesting scene featuring the Avengers running towards Thanos has Hulk prominently positioned alongside the other heroes.
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Of course, this helped to conceal the fact that Hulk would not be present for much of the story, but the way he was presented gave audiences false hope that Hulk would overcome his fear and help the heroes. Nowadays, restrictions around false details being shown in trailers is much stricter, but this moment in the trailer still leaves me yearning for a proper Hulk versus Thanos fight.
1 Smart Hulk Could Have Looked Very Different
Avengers: Endgame introduced the world to a very different version of Smart Hulk than the one who occupied the big screen for the 10 or so years prior. Rather than the savage brute, Bruce Banner found a way to keep his mind in control, while also gaining the body and strength of his alter ego. However, in the comics, Professor Hulk is a very different iteration of this compromised melding of minds.
In Endgame, it seems as though Hulk is now dormant in Bruce's mind, and Bruce has control over their body and mind. However, the comics show a version that incorporates both their minds and personalities, allowing the final result to be as intelligent and brilliant as Banner, while also having the savage anger of the Hulk. The MCU version of the character is decidedly less aggressive, and it feels lacking with Hulk disappearing from the equation.
