2024 Confirmed The MCU's Biggest Mistake With Hulk In Endgame & It's Not Too Late To Fix It

Two 2024 projects confirmed the biggest mistake the Marvel Cinematic Universe has made with the character of the Hulk, while simultaneously proving this can be fixed. The Marvel projects of 2024 were not expected to feature the Hulk to a big extent given only one movie was released that focused on the Fox X-Men movies. The four MCU TV shows of 2024 were also focused on characters or storylines devoid of the Hulk’s involvement.

All that said, the Marvel movies of 2025 could see a return for the Gamma-infused genius. The reason for this stems primarily from Captain America: Brave New World, which involves The Incredible Hulk characters like Thunderbolt Ross, Betty Ross, and The Leader. While it remains to be seen if Hulk himself will appear in upcoming Marvel shows, one clear mistake that has been made with the character was highlighted in 2024. This is not to do with his lack of appearances, but instead a characterization error made in Avengers: Endgame.

The Hulk Had Major Battles In Two MCU Projects In 2024

Angry Hulk Made A Big Return In 2024

Firstly, it is worth exploring Hulk’s minor appearances in the MCU in 2024. The first came as a big Marvel cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. The scene was quick, but it showcased an iconic moment from Marvel Comics in which Wolverine, clad in his yellow and brown costume, faced off against an angry, unhinged Hulk.

Deadpool Wolverine and Hulk

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The second Hulk appearance came in What If…? season 3, episode 1, “What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?” The episode culminated with Hulk being turned into an incredibly rageful Kaiju version of the character named Mega-Hulk. Mega-Hulk fought off another Kaiju in the episode before threatening to trample the world with an army of equally giant minions. Although this never came to fruition, seeing angry Hulk in What If…? and Deadpool & Wolverine brought the biggest mistake the franchise has made with the character to the fore.

Endgame’s Smart Hulk Twist Has Robbed Us Of His Greatest Potential

The mistake in question was Avengers: Endgame‘s decision to turn Hulk into Smart Hulk. While this twist was enjoyable enough and worked within the context of the movie, it robbed the character of his greatest potential. Rarely has an unadulterated, outraged Hulk been shown in the MCU, and Avengers: Endgame‘s developments meant the possibility of this in the future was unlikely, if not impossible.

This remains as unlikely as ever in 2024, with both of Hulk’s angrier appearances coming as a result of the multiverse. Without other universes in which Smart Hulk does not exist, angry Hulk would be all but lost. Not only did the MCU releases of 2024 make this clear, but they at least proved that the greatest potential Hulk has as the raging monster audiences know and love can still appear.