Bruce Banner has been prevalent in the MCU since the beginning of the franchise and the character’s most exciting story World War Hulkthere are many rumors that it is finally in the works. The Hulk first entered the MCU timeline in 2008 with The Incredible Hulkone of Marvel Studios’ first films, although the character looks very different in the film, as the titular hero was played by Edward Norton. Four years later, in The Avengersthe actor was replaced by Mark Ruffalo. Although the character did not have a second solo film in the MCU, Ruffalo became a major player in the series up until and beyond. Avengers: Endgame.
The Hulk is one of the few original Avengers to have a role in the Multiverse Saga. Not only that, but The Incredible Hulk surprisingly became one of the most important films of Phase 1 of the MCU, as Abomination returned in two MCU projects in 2022: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and She-Hulk: Lawyer. About that, The Incredible Hulk‘s The Leader will soon return as the main antagonist of Captain America: Brave New World cast. With all the characters related to the Hulk and Bruce’s own appearance in She-Hulk: LawyerMuch has been suggested about the possibility of a World War Hulk film.
World War Hulk has been rumored in the MCU
World War Hulk It’s been rumored to be a focus in the MCU for years, and many Easter eggs have been dropped throughout the cinematic universe suggesting the idea that the plot could eventually be adapted for the universe. Thor: Ragnarok incorporated ideas from Planet Hulkthe comic book that leads to World War Hulkand Mark Ruffalo has expressed interest several times in adapting it. Honestly, probably the biggest issue that stopped Marvel Studios from doing it was the rights to the character.
Universal has owned the film rights to Hulk since 1990. However, the company has a deal with Disney and Marvel Studios that allows the MCU to include Hulk in several ensemble projects. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow Disney to make a solo film for the Hulk, as Universal still owns those rights. Pending World War Hulkthe MCU would have to really focus on making her an ensemble piece.
The MCU Changed a Key Setting for World War Hulk
However World War Hulk could still easily work within the structure of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there were a number of changes made to the MCU that messed with some important plot settings. The most notable are the Illuminati and Sakaar and the role they play in the story and where they were introduced in the MCU.
One of the inciting incidents that led to World War Hulk is the banishment of the Illuminati from Earth. The Illuminati appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessbut they were from another universeand it’s relatively easy to assume they never crossed paths with the Hulk in the sacred timeline. One of the main driving forces behind Hulk’s violence is his desire for revenge.
Sakaar plays an important role in creating World War Hulk as well, since it was the main setting for Planet Hulkthe plot that leads to World War Hulk. Although Sakaar is heavily featured in Thor: Ragnarokleft out a lot that would be necessary to really make sense of the events that led to World War Hulk.
How the MCU Set Up World War Hulk
She-Hulk: Lawyer teased the story in its first episode, “A Normal Amount of Rage”, when a Sakaarian spaceship appeared, causing Bruce Banner and Jennifer Walters to run off the road. Sakaar is the planet in Thor: Ragnarokand in the comics, World War Hulk follows the Hulk’s exit from that world. In She-Hulk episode 2, “Superhuman Law,” says Banner, “I have some things to take care of” before flying on another Sakaarian ship, which practically confirms what’s next for the super scientist.
Sakaar plays an important role in World War Hulk comic book, and although Thor: Ragnarok taken out of parts of the story, like Hulk being a gladiator, it didn’t go any further than that. Mark Ruffalo commented on the tease after admitting that not much had been mentioned about the Hulk’s time on Sakaar or his transformation into Smart Hulk. The actor explained: “I really think the trip to Sakaar is a good place to start, and what it means for the idea of what fans are asking for“, insinuating that World War Hulk could fill in the gaps. However, he didn’t reveal much.
Although Marvel Studios has left viewers wondering what will happen next She-Hulk: Lawyer na Law had a lot of loose ends, Ruffalo’s comments are at least positive. And although it may have been totally enigmatic, She-Hulk: Lawyer head writer Jessica Gao addressed the World War Hulk tease by saying: “I think this opens up the possibility, if Marvel decides to do something with it, to continue this story. If they wanted.”
World War Hulk History Explained
To really understand World War Hulka familiarity with Planet Hulk which was initially released in April 2006 is necessary as it is the plot that leads directly to the next one. During an incident where Hulk lost control and attacked Las Vegas, the Illuminati decided to banish Hulk from Earth because they felt he was too dangerous. During your journey, Hulk crash lands on planet Sakaar and is forced into gladiatorial fights by the emperor. He gains the planet’s favor and forms his “Warbound” team to eventually leave Sakaar for Earth.
This is where the story of World War Hulk start. His first stop is the moon, where he defeats Illuminati member Blackbolt before landing in Manhattan. He travels to the X-Men’s home and defeats several members before leaving. He continues his rampage, fighting members of various teams, including the New Avengers, the Mighty Avengers, and the Fantastic Four.
Hulk intends to destroy New York City, but not necessarily kill innocent people. Eventually, he confronts Sentry and the two fight furiously before they both pass out and revert to their other selves, Robert Reynolds and Bruce Banner. Eventually, Tony Stark uses weaponized satellites to overcome Hulk and return him to an unconscious Banner. He is then imprisoned in an underground facility along with the rest of his Warbound team.
When a World War Hulk Movie Could Happen
There are some clear places in the Multiverse Saga timeline where World War Hulk it would fit perfectly if that happened. In particular, there are some huge gaps in Phase 6 of the MCU, particularly in the year between Avengers: Judgment Day and Avengers: Secret Wars where there are currently no MCU films scheduled.
However, the best possible time to World War Hulk would be later Avengers: Secret Warswhich concludes the Multiverse Saga. World War Hulk It would be a huge distraction Avengers films if it was released in Phase 6 of the MCU. It’s such a huge story in its own right that it could be the main arc of several projects in the MCU.
Given that World War Hulk The story includes not just the Hulk, but the Avengers, the Inhumans, and the X-Men, the MCU could be in danger of becoming overwhelmed. World War Hulk It wouldn’t be the same without the mutants, so they need to be well established in the universe by the time the film comes out. The MCU doesn’t seem to have any intention of bringing Mutants in completely during the Multiverse Saga, which means a World War Hulk the film could still be many years away.
World War Hulk Cast: Who Could Return
Naturally, the most obvious candidate for a World War Hulk The film’s cast is Bruce Banner and Hulk from the MCU, both played by Mark Ruffalo. Notably, although Ruffalo has made comments that suggest the film would be possible, he has also stated that Kevin Feige told him there would never be an MCU Hulk solo film in February 2024 – but that doesn’t strictly make the film null and void, as it could simply be an ensemble film. What it would perhaps mean, however, is that the focus would have to be more on other heroes, with the Hulk being more directly the story’s antagonist.
The potential World War Hulk the list was also opened by She-Hulk: Lawyerwhich introduced not only the titular character and her transformation, but also brought in Hulk’s son, Skaar. As figures close to Banner – and the Hulks in their own right – this greatly increases the potential for the duo to be the emotional heart of the story as they try to find and calm their furious family member, or go rogue and demand that Banner and the Hulk try help them.
Make one World War Hulk the plot seems even more viable given that the giant is also a key part of the comic iteration’s plot.
A fourth Hulk was also recently brought to the table after years of hoping they would appear, as Thaddeus Ross will transform into the Red Hulk at some point. Captain America: Brave New World . This is exciting not only because the Red Hulk reveal was decades in the making after Thaddeus Ross’ debut in The Incredible Hulkbut also because it makes a World War Hulk the plot seems even more viable given that the giant is also a key part of the comic iteration’s plot.
Other than that, it stands to reason that the MCU would use all of the featured and living members of the comic book in an MCU film adaptation, meaning that Doctor Strange and the soon-to-be-introduced Mister Fantastic could also play a key role, given they were core members of the Illuminati team that sent Hulk from Earth in the original narrative. However, it would be impossible to bring Iron Man into the story after his death in the MCU, despite being a main character in the original World War Hulk issue, and Black Bolt similarly does not yet exist canonically in the main universe.
Notably, the World War Hulk comic also includes several X-Men, Black Bolt, Ghost Rider, and a number of as-yet-unestablished superhero teams. This means the franchise may want to wait until at least some of these figures are brought in for potential story use, especially the X-Men.
World War Hulk Story Details
THE World War Hulk film could be the Multiverse Saga Civil Warbecause it’s an epic crossover. The comics follow the Hulk being tricked into going into space by the Illuminati, and once he returns to Earth, seeking revenge against the group of superheroes. Hulk then confronts Professor Xavier, kills several X-Men and goes on to fight the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the Gamma Corps. While elements of the story have been used in the MCU, such as Bruce Banner’s exile – albeit of his own volition – the events between that moment in Avengers: Age of Ultron and its reappearance in Thor: Ragnarok remain unknown.
Along with the tips in She-Hulk: Lawyerthe Illuminati were introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessleading to the possibility of the Hulk having an altercation with the group in the future. However, given that the current version of the superhero is Smart Hulk, who isn’t all that angry, he isn’t exactly vengeful either. But that’s where the Hulk’s son, Skaar, comes in. Having been presented at the end of She-Hulk: Lawyerin World War Hulkhe could be vengeful after being abandoned by his father, making him a potentially vital character story-wise.
Then there’s the potential for Red Hulk to be involved, as the character was first introduced in the World War Hulk comic plot. Captain America: Brave New World is also set for General Ross to become the Red Hulk within its plot, meaning that as long as he survives the film, he will be a viable option for a possible MCU Hulk film. In fact, this could open up avenues for the franchise to explore an angry Hulk without undoing Banner’s own storyline of finding inner peace, potentially setting him up as the best candidate to take on an angry Red Hulk.
World War Hulk is the supposed adaptation of the 2007 comic book crossover event that saw the Illuminati. This powerful Marvel team tricked the Hulk into sending him into space, hoping to stop his never-ending rampage.