Marvel Studios' best chance to bring Bruce Banner’s Hulk back to theMCUwas just revealed inWhat If…?season 3, but 2025’s upcomingCaptain America: Brave New Worldmight be missing the boat. Bruce Banner has been central to the MCU since his debut in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, and Mark Ruffalo has taken the Hulk to new heights, culminating in him becomingSmart Hulk inAvengers: Endgame. In the Multiverse Saga, the Hulk is still incredibly important, which makes it even more confusing that Marvel Studios seems to have sidelined the original Avenger.
Following his evolution into the Smart Hulk,Mark Ruffalo has appeared as Bruce BannerinShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.He has also been pivotal in the development of Marvel Animation’sWhat If…?series, appearing in multiple episodes of all three seasons of the multiversal show.Bruce Banner’s most recent appearance inWhat If…?established an important friendship for the veteran MCU hero, but this makes his absence from one upcoming live-action movie even more prevalent and curious.
Bruce Banner’s Captain America: Brave New World Absence Makes No Sense
Bruce Banner Should Return In Captain America: Brave New World
Following his appearances in several Multiverse Saga projects, most recentlyWhat If…?season 3, the next logical place for Bruce Banner to appear in the MCU would be in 2025’s upcomingCaptain America: Brave New World.The Phase 5 movie, while spotlighting Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, includes a number of Hulk-related characters, some of whom are returning to the MCU after almost two decades away. Liv Tyler is returning as Betty Ross and Tim Blake Nelson will reprise the role ofSamuel Sterns, now operating as the supervillain, the Leader.
As well as these iconic Hulk-related characters, Thaddeus Ross will also be featured inCaptain America: Brave New World, with Harrison Ford succeeding the late William Hurt in the role.Ross will be transformed into the Red Hulk inBrave New World, and this evolution makes Bruce Banner’s absence even more confusing. There has been speculationMark Ruffalo will actually appear inBrave New World, but neither Ruffalo nor Marvel Studios have confirmed this.What If…?season 3 might have made this even more likely, however.
What If…? Just Revealed How Perfect A Sam Wilson & Bruce Banner Dynamic Can Be
What If…? Partnered Sam Wilson With Bruce Banner
While they have had little interaction in the live-action MCU,What If…?season 3’s premiere, “What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?,” made the friendship between Bruce Banner and Sam Wilson hugely important.Sam Wilson’s experience with PTSD and trauma as an Air Force veteran makes him the perfect ally and confidant to Bruce Banner, who struggles with balancing his human and Hulk personas and with the destruction he leaves in his wake. This was a touching addition toWhat If…?, and could easily be repeated in live-action.
Marvel Already Revealed How Sam Wilson Can Beat Red Hulk 9 Years Ago
There’s been some doubt about Sam Wilson’s ability to fight the Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, but Marvel already proved this possible.
While Mark Ruffalo hasn’t yet been confirmed to be appearing among thecast ofCaptain America: Brave New World, the events ofWhat If…?season 3 have proven his inclusion would be well worth it. Not only would this be able to bring some meaning to the reintroductions of Thaddeus Ross, Samuel Sterns and Betty Ross, butthis could also allow Banner to seek some guidance from Sam Wilson. This could set them both up to be firm friends and more formidable heroes in the MCU’s upcoming crossover events.
What If…?
Cast
What If… ? is an animated anthology series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor, and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist. The show sees Uatu the Watcher, an omnipotent being that observes the events of multiple universes from afar as they unfold, unable to interfere. However, things shift when an entity peers beyond the veil, jeopardizing the multiverse.
