Plot details and everything we know

Bruce Banner has been prevalent in the MCU since the beginning of the franchise, and the character’s most exciting story, World War HulkHas been hard rumourd to be finally in the job. The Hulk first entered the MCU timeline in 2008 with The Incredible HulkOne of the earliest Marvel Studios movies, although the character looks a lot different in the film, as the titular hero is 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 movie in the MCU, Ruffalo became a major player in the series 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 MCU Phase 1 movies, as Abomination returned in two MCU projects in 2022: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness And She-Hulk: Lawyer. Meanwhile, The Incredible HulkThe leader will soon make a return appearance as the main antagonist of the Captain America: Brave New World Figure. With all the returning Hulk-related characters and Bruce’s own appearance in She-Hulk: LawyerDid you hear a lot about the possibility of a World War Hulk Movie.

World War Hulk has long been rumored in the MCU

World War Hulk It’s been rumored to be a focus in the MCU for years, and plenty of Easter eggs have been dropped throughout the cinematic universe. Hinting at the idea that the storyline could eventually be adapted for the universe. Thor: Ragnarok incorporated ideas from Planet HulkThe comics that lead in World War HulkAnd Mark Ruffalo has repeatedly expressed interest in adapting it. Honestly, probably the biggest issue that held back Marvel Studios from making it was right on 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 various ensemble projects. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow Disney to make a solo movie for the Hulk, as Universal still owns the rights. to do World War HulkThe MCU would have to really focus on making it an ensemble piece instead.

The MCU has changed a key setup for World War Hulk

Although World War Hulk It could still easily work within the framework of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there have been a number of changes in the MCU that have done some key setups to the storyline. Most notable are the Illuminati and Sakaar and the role they play in the story and where they are introduced in the MCU.

One of the inciting incidents that lead to World War Hulk is the Illuminati banishing Hulk from Earth. The Illuminati appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessBut they were from another universeAnd it’s relatively easy to assume that they never crossed paths with Hulk from the holy timeline. One of the main driving forces behind Hulk’s rampage is his desire for revenge.

Sakaar plays an important part in setting up World War Hulk As well, as it was the main setting for Planet HulkThe storyline leading into World War Hulk. Although Sakaar is featured heavily in Thor: RagnarokIt left out a lot that would be needed to really make sense of the events leading up to it World War Hulk.

How the MCU set up World War Hulk

She-Hulk: Lawyer The story was teased as early as its first episode, “A Normal Amount of Storm,” when a Sakarian spaceship appeared, causing Bruce Banner and Jennifer Walters to wade out of the way. Sakaar is the planet in Thor: RagnarokAnd in the comics, World War Hulk Follows the Hulk’s departure from that world. in She – Hulk Episode 2, “Superhuman Law,” Banner says, “I have some things to take care of” Before flying off in another Sakarian ship, which all but confirms what’s next for the super scientist.

Sakar plays an important role in these World War Hulk Comic book history, and though Thor: Ragnarok Pulled from parts of the story, such as Hulk being a gladiator, it didn’t go further than that. Mark Ruffalo commented on the tease after admitting that not much was mentioned about the Hulk’s time on Sakaar or turning into the Smart Hulk. The actor explained, “I think the trip to Sakar is a good place to start, and what it means to the idea of ​​what the fans have been asking for.“, indicate that World War Hulk Could fill in the gaps. But he didn’t give up much.

While Marvel Studios has left viewers wondering what happens next She-Halk: Lawyer In Law has a lot of loose ends, Ruffalo’s comments are at least positive. And while it may have been totally cryptic, She-Halk: Attorney at law Lead writer Jessica Gao addressed the World War Hulk tease by saying, “I think it kind of opens up the possibility, if Marvel chooses to do something with this, to choose the story. If they wanted.”

World War Hulk Story Explained

To really understand World War HulkAn acquaintance with Planet Hulk What initially released in April 2006 is necessary, because it is the storyline that leads directly into 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 his journey, Hulk crash lands on the planet Sakaar and is forced into gladiator fights for the emperor. He gains favor from the planet and forms his “Warbound” team to eventually leave Sakaar and make their way to Earth.

This is where the story of World War Hulk Begins. His first stop is the moon where he defeats Illuminati member Blackbolt before touching down in Manhattan. He travels to the home of the X-Men and defeats several members before leaving. He continues his rampage, fighting members of various teams including the New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and the Fantastic Four.

Hulk intends to destroy New York City but not necessarily kill innocent people. Eventually he squares off against Sentry and the two fight it out furiously before they both pass and return to their other selves, Robert Reynolds and Bruce Banner. Eventually Tony Stark uses weaponized satellites to defeat Hulk and get him back to an unconscious Banner. Afterwards, he is 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 Would fit perfectly if it happened. In particular, there are some huge gaps in MCU Phase 6, especially in the year in between Avengers: Doomsday And Avengers: Secret Wars Where there are currently no MCU movies scheduled.

However, the best possible time for World War Hulk would be still Avengers: Secret WarsWhich ends the saga of multiverse. World War Hulk would be too much of a distraction from the Avengers Movies if it is released in MCU phase 6. It’s such a massive story on its own that it could be the main story arc for multiple MCU projects.

Given that World War Hulk The story includes not only the Hulk, but the Avengers, the Inhumans and the X-Men, the MCU could risk being overstuffed. World War Hulk wouldn’t be the same without the mutants, so they need to be well-established in the universe by the time the movie is released. The MCU does not intend to fully bring in mutants during the multiverse saga, meaning a World War Hulk Movie may still be many years away.

World War Hulk Cast: Who May Return

Naturally, the most obvious candidate for a World War Hulk The film’s cast is that of the MCU’s Bruce Banner and Hulk, both played by Mark Ruffalo. Notably, while Ruffalo has made comments suggesting that the film would be possible, he also stated that Kevin Feige told him that there would never be a solo MCU Hulk movie in February 2024 – but that doesn’t strictly make the movie void and Void, as it could simply be an ensemble film instead. What it would perhaps mean, however, is that the focus should be more on other heroes, with the Hulk more squarely the antagonist of the story.

The potential World War Hulk Roster was also opened by She-Hulk: LawyerWhich introduced not only the titular character and her transformation, but also introduced Hulk’s son Scar. As figures close to Banner – and Hulks in their own right – this raises a lot of potential for the duo to be the emotional heart of the story as they try to find and calm their raging family member, or to go rogue and demand Banner themselves. And the Hulk to try and help them.

A fourth Hulk was also recently brought to the table after years of hopes that they would appear, as Thaddeus Ross will be turning into the Red Hulk at some point in Captain America: Brave New World . This is exciting not only because the Red Hulk reveal has been decades in the making after Thaddeus Ross’ debut in The Incredible HulkBut also because it makes a World War Hulk The storyline is more viable, as the behemoth is also a key part of the comic iteration’s plot.

Aside from that, it’s clear that the MCU would use all of the introduced and living members of the comic storyline in an MCU movie adaptation, meaning Doctor Strange and the soon-to-be-introduced Mister Fantastic could also play a key role, as they are Were core members of the Illuminati team that sent Hulk off Earth in the original story. However, Iron Man would be impossible to bring into the story after his MCU death despite being a main character in the original edition of World War Hulk, and Black Bolt similarly does not canonically exist in the main universe.

Notably, the World War Hulk comic also includes some of the X-Men, Black Bolt, Ghost Rider, and a number of newly formed superhero teams. This means that the franchise may wish to wait until at least some of the figures are brought in to use the prospective story, especially the X-Men.

World War Hulk Story Details

The World War Hulk Movie could be the multiverse saga Civil warAs it is an epic crossover. The comics follow the Hulk who is tricked into going to space by the Illuminati, and once he arrives back on Earth, seeks revenge on the superhero group. Hulk then confronts Professor Xavier, kills several X-Men, and goes on to fight the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and Gamma Corps. While elements of the story are used in the MCU, such as Bruce Banner being exiled – albeit of his own volition – the events between this moment in Avengers: Age of Ultron and his reappearance Thor: Ragnarok remain unknown.

along with the clues She-Hulk: LawyerThe Illuminati was introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessLeading to the possibility that the Hulk may have an altercation with the group in the future. However, because the current iteration of the superhero is Smart Hulk, who is not as evil, he is not exactly vengeful. But that’s where the Hulk’s son, Scar, comes in. Being introduced at the end of She-Hulk: Lawyerin World War HulkHe can seek revenge 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 storyline. Captain America: Brave New World General Ross is also set to become Red Hulk in his plot, meaning as long as he survives the movie, he would be a viable option for a prospective MCU Hulk movie. Indeed, this could open up ways for the franchise to explore a rampaging Hulk without undoing Banner’s own storyline of finding inner peace, potentially instead placing him as the best candidate to face a berserker Red Hulk.