Rewatching the Hulk’s journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2025 offers a fresh perspective on one of the franchise’s most complicated characters. With nearly two decades of the MCU timeline, Bruce Banner’s evolution has taken unexpected turns, from a recast lead to a comedic supporting player and even a father. But with recent MCU projects shifting focus away from Hulk, his past appearances hit differently in hindsight. Some moments now seem strangely out of place, while others feel nostalgic for a simpler time in Marvel’s history.
Bruce Banner’s place in the MCU has always been unusual. The character started as one of the founding Avengers but never received the same level of solo storytelling as his teammates. Universal’s ownership of Hulk’s distribution rights prevented Marvel Studios from making direct sequels, forcing Hulk’s development into side stories across multiple films. This led to an inconsistent evolution, as Hulk shifted from an uncontrollable monster in The Incredible Hulk to a tragic warrior in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and later, a comedic scientist in Thor: Ragnarok and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
10
The MCU’s Skaar Reveal Feels Even Wilder In 2025
Skaar Was Revealed In She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
One of the most baffling moments in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was the sudden introduction of Skaar, Hulk’s long-lost son. It was framed as a huge deal, seemingly setting up major future stories, but in the years since, the MCU has barely mentioned him. Now, in 2025, the reveal feels even more forced and random. Skaar’s rushed introduction lacked any emotional weight, and with no follow-up appearances, it’s hard to see why Marvel pushed so hard to include him.
The reveal seemed like a setup for something urgent like a pending Young Avnegrs team, but without any resolution, it now plays like a meaningless afterthought. This makes the entire She-Hulk finale feel stranger in retrospect, as if the MCU was trying to tease a new Hulk-centric saga that never came. A rewatch in 2025 only highlights how disconnected this reveal was from the rest of Hulk’s story.
9
The Avengers’ Hulk Story Is Painfully Nostalgic Looking Back
The Hulk’s Early Days Are A Refreshing Change
Going back to 2012’s The Avengers, Hulk’s role feels refreshingly straightforward compared to later MCU stories. Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner was introduced as a tragic but functional hero, while his Hulk persona was a fearsome force that turned the tide of battle. At the time, audiences were eager for more depth, but in hindsight, this version of Hulk is oddly comforting. The divisive elements that would later define his character – like Professor Hulk’s humor, his reduced power level, and the sidelining of his rage – weren’t present yet.
Instead, Hulk was at his best: monstrous, unpredictable, and incredibly strong. Looking back, this era of Hulk feels like a golden age, before the character was diluted into comic relief or given underwhelming arcs. The 2012 version of Hulk now carries an air of nostalgia, standing as his most iconic and unfiltered portrayal.
8
So Much Of Hulk’s Development Occurred Off-Screen
Hulk Mostly Develops Between Movies
One of the most frustrating aspects of Hulk’s MCU journey is how many major developments happened off-screen. Rewatching his arc in 2025 only reinforces how much storytelling was skipped over. The biggest example is Avengers: Infinity War, where Hulk refuses to transform after his fight with Thanos, only for Avengers: Endgame to reveal that Bruce Banner and Hulk somehow merged into Smart Hulk during the five-year time jump.
This was a monumental change, but viewers never got to see it happen. Similarly, She-Hulk briefly mentioned that Hulk spent time on Sakaar, leading to Skaar’s introduction, but the events themselves were never shown. Hulk’s biggest character moments were often treated as afterthoughts or background details, making it frustrating to track his evolution. A rewatch in 2025 only amplifies how much potential storytelling was left on the table.
7
Ed Norton’s Hulk Feels Like A Multiverse Variant
Ed Norton Was Recast With Mark Ruffalo For The Avengers (2012)
Watching The Incredible Hulk in 2025 feels like peering into an alternate reality of the MCU. Edward Norton’s portrayal of Bruce Banner is so different from Mark Ruffalo’s that it now plays more like a multiverse variant than an earlier version of the same character. Indeed, the tone of The Incredible Hulk is darker, the action more brutal, and Banner himself more intense and paranoid.
Norton’s take feels closer to classic Hulk stories, with a real sense of inner conflict and horror. By contrast, Ruffalo’s Banner gradually became more comedic and relaxed, making it harder to reconcile the two performances as the same person. With the MCU embracing the multiverse concept in recent years, it’s now easier than ever to view Norton’s Hulk as an alternate version rather than part of a continuous timeline, making the film feel even more disconnected upon rewatch.
6
The Hulk’s Villains Feel Overlooked
Only 3 Major Hulk Villains Have Appeared In The MCU
Rewatching The Incredible Hulk in 2025 makes it clear how much potential the film set up for future MCU stories that were left unexplored for years. General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross was positioned as a key adversary for Bruce Banner, yet he only reappeared sporadically in the MCU, primarily in non-Hulk-related projects like Captain America: Civil War and Black Widow. Meanwhile, Emil Blonsky’s Abomination, a formidable foe introduced in The Incredible Hulk, completely vanished from the franchise for over a decade before resurfacing in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Perhaps the most glaring omission was Samuel Sterns, whose transformation into The Leader was teased and then forgotten for years. Thankfully, Sterns found his place in Captain America: Brave New World – which notably did not feature the Jade Giant himself. The long absence of these characters makes the MCU’s handling of Hulk’s rogues’ gallery feel like a missed opportunity.
5
Inconsistencies In Hulk’s Power Levels
Hulk’s Strength Changes Depending On What Movie He’s In
One of the most frustrating aspects of rewatching the Hulk’s journey in the MCU is the inconsistency in his strength and durability. In The Incredible Hulk, he was shown as a near-unstoppable force, surviving direct military ᴀssaults and defeating Abomination in hand-to-hand combat. Yet, in The Avengers, while still powerful, his strength seemed slightly nerfed, particularly in his fight against Thor.
Later, Thor: Ragnarok reestablished Hulk as an almost unbeatable warrior, capable of going toe-to-toe with the God of Thunder, but then Avengers: Infinity War contradicted this again by having him easily defeated by Thanos. By the time Avengers: Endgame introduced Smart Hulk, his combat abilities were barely utilized at all. These fluctuations make it difficult to track a consistent power level for Hulk, especially when compared to the steady evolution of characters like Thor or Captain Marvel.
4
Thor: Ragnarok Has Become Hulk’s Most Important Story
The Most Important Movie Since The Incredible Hulk
While The Incredible Hulk was meant to be Banner’s defining solo outing, it’s Thor: Ragnarok that has ultimately become the most crucial chapter in his MCU journey. This film provided more insight into Hulk’s character than any previous appearance, exploring his intelligence, emotional depth, and ability to function independently of Banner. Ragnarok also set up major developments, such as his first real character arc outside of Earth and him fathering a son.
Additionally, it redefined his dynamic with Thor, showing the two as comedic foils and battle-hardened allies. Because The Incredible Hulk is so disconnected from the larger MCU, Thor: Ragnarok has become the version of Hulk most ᴀssociate with the character. Watching the franchise in 2025, it’s clear that this film provided the most meaningful expansion of Hulk’s personality and role in the MCU.
3
She-Hulk’s Introduction Changed Hulk’s Legacy
Hulk Changed From A Loner To Mentor
For years, Hulk was portrayed as a loner – a wandering fugitive in The Incredible Hulk, a reluctant team player in The Avengers, and a wildcard force of destruction in Thor: Ragnarok. However, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law significantly altered this perception by making him a mentor figure to Jennifer Walters. This shift reframed his entire MCU legacy, showing that he wasn’t just a creature of chaos but also a guiding presence capable of teaching others how to navigate their powers.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law also humanized Hulk in new ways. It depicted his struggles with family, responsibility, and even personal loss, particularly in regard to Tony Stark’s death. Watching Hulk’s earlier MCU appearances in 2025, this evolution stands out, making his character feel more well-rounded and giving his journey a sense of progression that wasn’t previously as evident.
2
The Absence Of A Solo Hulk Sequel Is Even More Noticeable
Hulk Needs His Own Movie
With so many MCU heroes receiving multiple solo films, the fact that the Hulk only had one in 2008 feels more glaring than ever in 2025. Other Phase 1 characters, like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, all developed extensive sub-franchises that deepened their characters and explored their arcs in greater depth. Even Spider-Man, who entered the MCU much later, received three solo films within five years.
Meanwhile, Hulk’s story has only been told through team-up films and supporting roles in other heroes’ movies. This makes it difficult for his character to experience the same level of focused storytelling as his counterparts. The demand for a proper solo sequel, possibly adapting World War Hulk or Immortal Hulk, remains high among Marvel audiences, and rewatching the MCU only amplifies the frustration that it still hasn’t happened.
1
Hulk’s Position In The MCU Feels Uncertain
It’s Never Clear Whether Hulk Will Ever Reemerge In The MCU
Hulk was once a cornerstone of the MCU, one of the six original Avengers who played a pivotal role in saving the world multiple times. However, because he has never received the same solo film treatment as his fellow founding members, his future now feels unclear. Other Phase 1 heroes either received definitive endings (Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow) or continued in major ways (Thor and Hawkeye).
Yet Hulk’s arc has been largely undefined post-Endgame. While She-Hulk hinted at his ongoing story, there is no clear indication of when or where he will appear next and is notably absent from the Avengers: Doomsday cast. Without a solo project to anchor him, his presence in the MCU seems sporadic, leaving audiences unsure whether Marvel has long-term plans for the Hulk or if he’s simply relegated to occasional cameos.
Hulk
- Created by
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Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
- First Film
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The Incredible Hulk Returns
- Latest Film
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Avengers: Endgame
- First TV Show
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The Incredible Hulk
- Latest TV Show
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She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
- Cast
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Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Mark Ruffalo
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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