10 Ways Marvel Could Make The Hulk’s MCU Story Even Better After 17 Years
17 years after his first MCU appearance in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Hulk remains one of Marvel’s most underutilized heroes, but there are some things that Marvel could do to rectify this. While characters like Iron Man and Captain America have been given full arcs with definitive emotional payoffs in the MCU timeline, Hulk’s journey feels fragmented, often relegated to supporting roles or comic relief. With the recent introduction of new characters and the multiverse wide open, Marvel has the perfect opportunity to reinvest in Hulk’s legacy and push his story forward.
The Hulk’s MCU journey has been anything but straightforward. Following Edward Norton’s portrayal in The Incredible Hulk, Mark Ruffalo stepped in as the new Bruce Banner in The Avengers (2012), marking a tonal shift that leaned into humor and restraint rather than raw rage. Over time, Marvel softened the Hulk, culminating in “Smart Hulk” – a blend of brains and brawn introduced in Avengers: Endgame. His character development has been stitched together through ensemble appearances, leaving many storylines and his emotional depth woefully unexplored.
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Bringing The Hulk Back Vs Smart Hulk
Savage Hulk Is Far More Compelling Than Smart Hulk
Smart Hulk was a creative twist, but it arguably stripped away one of Hulk’s most compelling elements: the duality between Bruce Banner’s intellect and Hulk’s primal nature. While it made sense for Avengers: Endgame, many have missed the chaotic force of nature that was once a scene-stealing powerhouse. It felt like the most interesting part of the story was how the merge was achieved, which happened entirely off-screen.
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Marvel has an opportunity to reintroduce this tension by showing Smart Hulk’s limitations – maybe his calm exterior begins to crack, or remnants of the savage Hulk reemerge in response to new threats. Bringing back the rage-filled Hulk doesn’t mean abandoning Smart Hulk entirely; instead, Marvel could explore a balance between the two. A regression or evolution could revitalize the character, introducing emotional and psychological conflict that elevates Hulk beyond just being “the big green guy” with comic timing.
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Exploring Hulk’s Story With Skaar
Skaar Was Unceremoniously Introduced And Never Mentioned Again
The arrival of Skaar in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was a surprise for viewers, but Marvel has yet to explain the how, why, or when of his existence. This opens the door for a deeply personal storyline that could finally give Hulk the emotional arc he’s been missing. Exploring Hulk’s time off-world, especially on Sakaar, and the relationship (or lack thereof) with Skaar could provide layers of drama, regret, and redemption.
It would allow Bruce Banner to confront the responsibilities of fatherhood while revisiting a major off-screen chapter of his life. Skaar also presents a chance to dig deeper into Hulk’s “Planet Hulk” roots and the alien cultures he interacted with. By expanding on this father-son dynamic, Marvel can humanize Hulk while introducing viewers to powerful themes like legacy, abandonment, and intergenerational trauma – all without needing another big crossover event.
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Letting The Hulk Have The Limelight More Again
Hulk Primarily Appeared In Ensembles And Team-Ups
Since Avengers: Age of Ultron, Hulk has slowly shifted from a central figure to more of a sidekick or comedic relief. He shines in ensemble casts, but this sideline treatment has diluted his impact. With characters like Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and Echo getting spotlight time, it feels overdue for Hulk to step back into the lead. A solo Disney+ series or film could dig into the psychological layers of Banner’s condition, revisiting trauma, identity, and rage management in a fresh, introspective way.
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The Hulk has changed a lot since his MCU debut in 2008, so much so that rewatching his development in 2025 feels very different than in Phase 1.
The MCU excels when it lets heroes be flawed and vulnerable, and Hulk is ripe for that kind of storytelling. With so many new threads – like Skaar, lingering trauma from Thanos, and his evolving powers – there’s no shortage of material. Hulk deserves more than quips and cameos; he deserves a narrative as ambitious and emotionally rich as the universe he helped build.
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Introduce More Hulk Villains From The Comics
Only 3 Major Hulk Foes Have Appeared In The MCU
One of the most glaring missed opportunities in the MCU is the lack of classic Hulk villains. Aside from the Abomination, the Leader, and Red Hulk (two of which he didn’t even fight), his rogue’s gallery has largely been ignored. This includes powerhouse adversaries like Zzzax, Bi-Beast, and even more psychologically-driven foes like Devil Hulk. Introducing these villains wouldn’t just add action; they’d challenge Hulk on moral, emotional, and existential levels.
Gargoyle, for example, could force Banner to reckon with a similarly tragically deformed character who went down a very different path. Hulk’s villains offer more than just brute strength – they’re thematic mirrors that could force Hulk to evolve or collapse. With Phase 5 and 6 promising multiversal threats and darker tones, the time is perfect for Hulk’s enemies to step out of the shadows and test him like never before.
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Make Maestro The MCU’s Next Big Bad
Maestro Is The Hulk’s Most Compelling Adversary
The MCU has introduced plenty of formidable villains, but it’s time for Hulk’s dark future self – Maestro – to make his grand entrance. In the comics, Maestro is a version of Bruce Banner who survived a nuclear apocalypse, absorbed massive radiation, and lost all moral restraint. With the wisdom of Banner and the brute force of the Hulk, Maestro is terrifyingly powerful.
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Introducing Maestro as a multiverse threat or a timeline gone wrong would not only add emotional complexity but also elevate Hulk’s relevance in the post-Endgame MCU. The Avengers would be forced to face a villain who knows their every weakness and is fueled by pure ego and rage. With the Multiverse Saga unfolding, Maestro would be a perfect bridge between Hulk’s past and a dark possible future, turning Bruce’s greatest strength into his biggest nightmare and creating a threat big enough to carry a whole saga.
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Introduce The Grey Hulk
The Grey Hulk Was The Original Hulk
The MCU has offered a taste of various Hulk personas, but it’s time to fully explore Joe Fixit – Hulk’s grey-skinned, street-smart alter ego. The Grey Hulk isn’t just a color swap; he’s a cunning, morally flexible version of the Hulk who operated as a Las Vegas enforcer. Unlike the childlike Savage Hulk or the rational Smart Hulk, Grey Hulk represents a more unpredictable and grounded side of Bruce’s personality.
This would add depth to the character, showcasing the psychological complexity that’s been hinted at but never fully embraced. Plus, he brings a gritty, noir flavor that could shift Hulk into new genre territory. Whether introduced through a multiverse twist, trauma-induced transformation, or psychological breakdown, Grey Hulk is a fan-favorite persona just waiting for his big-screen debut. The MCU’s version could mix street-level intensity with cosmic consequences for a truly unique Hulk evolution.
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Make Hulk A Mentor For The Young Avengers
The MCU Is Gathering Its Young Avengers
Now that the MCU is slowly assembling a new generation of heroes – from Kate Bishop to Kamala Khan – it’s the perfect time for Hulk to take on a mentor role. Bruce Banner has been through the wringer, evolving from a reluctant fugitive to a balanced intellect-power hybrid. His experience with gamma radiation, emotional control, and life as both a scientist and superhero gives him unique insights for young heroes facing their own transformations.
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The Hulk has engaged in some of the most bombastic and savage fights in Marvel movie history, flaunting his relentless strength in some brutal bouts.
Hulk mentoring someone like Skaar, his son introduced in She-Hulk, or guiding heroes like Ms. Marvel through the complexities of power and identity, would allow him to pass the torch meaningfully. It also mirrors the journey Tony Stark took with Peter Parker – only this time with more heart and maybe a little more smashing. It’s a natural evolution for Bruce and a great way to keep Hulk vital in the next MCU phase.
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Explore Bruce’s Fractured Psyche
Bruce Banner Has Numerous Personalities, Including The Hulk
One of the most compelling aspects of the Hulk mythos is the inner war raging within Bruce Banner’s mind. The MCU has only scratched the surface of this concept, showing brief glimpses in Age of Ultron and Thor: Ragnarok. However, a deep dive into Bruce’s dissociative identity disorder – similar to how Moon Knight explored Marc Spector’s mental landscape – could offer a bold, character-driven narrative.
Audiences have long craved more psychological depth for Bruce, and the comics offer rich material, with multiple Hulk personas (like Devil Hulk and The Green Scar) representing different traumas and emotions. Exploring Bruce’s mindscape, perhaps through a mystical or technological journey, would make for an introspective, haunting storyline. It could also set the stage for future transformations and power shifts, showing that Hulk’s true battleground isn’t the battlefield—but the fractured mind of the man inside the monster.
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Make A Hulk Vs Wolverine Adaptation
The Pair Have An iconic Rivalry
The tease of Wolverine facing the Hulk in Deadpool & Wolverine has reignited one of Marvel’s most iconic rivalries. Many have long dreamed of seeing the grudge match that started Wolverine’s comic book career finally brought to life on the big screen. Not only does the idea offer a visually explosive showdown, but it also provides a great narrative opportunity. Hulk represents unbridled strength, while Wolverine brings feral tenacity and a dark past – both misunderstood loners with healing factors and tempers.
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A full-on adaptation could tap into the emotional undercurrents of both characters, especially if it ties into Logan’s Weapon X origins or a multiverse clash. Plus, it could give Hulk the gritty, raw fight he’s been missing since The Incredible Hulk (2008). A brutal, emotionally driven, high-stakes battle would be pure cinematic gold – and long overdue for both characters.
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Collaborate With Universal On A Solo Hulk Movie
The MCU Should Just Make The Movie With Universal Like They Did With The Incredible Hulk
It’s baffling that after 17 years, Marvel Studios still hasn’t delivered a proper solo Hulk sequel in the MCU. The issue is that distribution rights are tied up with Universal. Yet if Marvel can work with Sony to keep Spider-Man in the MCU, there’s no reason they can’t do the same for Hulk. The character deserves his own focused, big-budget story – one that explores Banner’s personal stakes, his complex relationship with Skaar, and the consequences of becoming Smart Hulk.
A solo movie would allow for a return to the raw emotion and spectacle of The Incredible Hulk, but with modern storytelling sophistication. Audiences want closure, growth, and a narrative that’s not confined to guest appearances or comic relief. Marvel and Universal biting the bullet to co-produce a Hulk sequel would not only satisfy demand but also honor one of the MCU’s founding characters.
