Smart Hulk serves a purpose in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
, but it’s time to retire this version of the character and get back to smashing. I’m a huge fan of Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. I’m also a huge fan of his alter ego, the Hulk. And, when it first appeared in Avengers: Endgame, I was really pleased to see Smart Hulk join the team as a character who had the best of both with all of Hulk’s strength and all of Bruce’s intelligence. But as the movie went on, and Smart Hulk appeared in more projects, it became clear that that wasn’t actually what had occurred.
Smart Hulk may have the body of Hulk, but with Bruce’s conscious mind controlling it, it appears Bruce can’t tap into that raw, unfiltered rage that allowed Hulk to Hulk Out. And worse still, the fact that Bruce’s mind took over makes it seem as though the Hulk persona is completely eliminated, with that mind having disappeared and contributed nothing to the new Smart Hulk. On all counts, that is a horrific end for the classic Hulk character, and Smart Hulk has been a disappointment ever since.
Smart Hulk Has Been In The MCU For Far Too Long
Smart Hulk Has Worn Out His Welcome In The MCU
Avengers: Endgame was released in 2019, and since that film debuted, Smart Hulk has been the only version of the character to appear in the MCU. Yes, other Hulks have appeared, with Jennifer Walters turning into She-Hulk, who also has a clear mind and no alter ego, and the Hulk’s son, Skaar, arriving from his home world of Sakaar. Now, Red Hulk has given us the closest thing to the rage-fuelled Goliath in years, but that’s still not our Hulk.
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How could Hulk have been included in Brave New World without distracting from Sam Wilson?
Brave New World director Julius Onah recently said that there were initial conversations to include Bruce Banner’s Hulk but that the decision was made to keep him out of the new Captain America movie to keep the focus on Sam Wilson. However, I believe that Banner could have been featured at the end of the third act to help resolve some of the arcs with President Ross, The Leader, and perhaps even Betty Ross. After all, all three characters first debuted in the MCU in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. I would have even settled for Banner appearing in a post-credits scene to help set up a future Hulk movie.
While it’s kind of hilarious to see Bruce Banner appear as this enormous, muscular monster, the bit appears to be primarily a joke at this point. And even when he first appeared, Banner’s best efforts to fight and display power were seen when he returned to the events of the Battle of New York, and feigned half-heartedly to smash things. The one chance where Hulk could have gotten into a big conflict in Endgame, Hulk was passed out due to bringing half of all life everywhere back with the new Infinity Gauntlet. But at no point has this Smart Hulk displayed aggression and power on a scale close to the Hulks.
The MCU Has Already Put Bruce Banner In A Very Tense Situation
Things Are Not Easy For Smart Hulk After Avengers: Endgame
Expanding on that, the Smart Hulk is going to have to step up soon. So far in the Multiverse Saga, Hulk has been little more than a cameo, having shown up in the post-credits scene in Shang-Chi, and playing the mentor role to Jennifer Walters for a few episodes. However, as one of the last remaining original Avengers, and a superhero, Smart Hulk will need to step up and join the fray at some point.
Already, there was a chance to have the character join in the fight against Red Hulk, which would have brought the character full circle from The Incredible Hulk, and helped to explore the more powerful side of Smart Hulk, but with those plans not panning out, Smart Hulk feels like a distant and wasted idea. But he will be affected when he learns about General Ross becoming the Red Hulk, and about the former contact who, as a result of being infected with his blood, was transformed into the supervillain, The Leader.
Avengers: Doomsday Would Be The Perfect Point To Have The Hulk Revert To His Original Form
The Hulk Could Come Back If Things Get Really Bad In Avengers: Doomsday
With so much to get angry about, it’s time for the Buddhist monk of peace and non-aggression that is Bruce Banner to get out of the Hulk’s way. Hulk is the fighter. He is the Champion of Sakaar, and the single individual who could punch a leviathan in the face in the Battle of New York. As much as I love Bruce Banner, he is not built for the Battlerealms, and with Avengers: Doomsday introducing Doom and featuring what is sure to be the most brutal and intense events for the heroes in a long time, we need the Hulk to return.
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Bruce Branner Thought He Understood the Hulk, But Marvel Is Now Turning the Hero’s Worldview Upside Down
Sorry, science-side of Marvel, Bruce Banner has officially given up on understanding the Hulk as anything other than a magical creature.
And the thing is, Doomsday can make that happen. As I said above, right now, it feels like the Hulk’s mind is dead, but I hope the truth is much closer to the character being dormant. Bruce has proven he is not a fighter, and despite having the muscle and strength available, he can’t make full use of that raw power. He needs the Hulk to wake up, take over, and put the bad guys in their place. And Avengers: Doomsday could provide the perfect opportunity for that to happen, and Bruce and the Hulk to return to a state where they are not overlapping and losing important parts of themselves.
Avengers: Doomsday
- Release Date
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May 1, 2026
- Writers
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Stephen McFeely
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Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
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Johnny Storm / Human Torch
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Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
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Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
