Warning! This movie contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New WorldAfter seeing Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, I’m more convinced than ever that one of the best things the MCU can do for Avengers: Doomsday is bring back the “real” Hulk. Since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, Bruce Banner has been a new kind of Hulk, where he’s retained both his mind and intelligence. However, Red Hulk is a stark reminder of what we lost just over 6 years ago.
In Avengers: Endgame, it was revealed that Bruce Banner figured out how to merge himself with his greener, meaner other half. Colloquially known as “Smart Hulk”, a smarter and seemingly weaker version of the MCU’s classic Jade Giant has been featured ever since. That said, Captain America: Brave New World’s Red Hulk proves how badly we need to see the original “Savage Hulk” again in Avengers: Doomsday and beyond.
Red Hulk Was A Brief Reminder Of What Makes Hulk Great
A Great Reminder Of The Hulk We Once Had
During Captain America: Brave New World’s ending, US President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) transforms into the monstrous Red Hulk, mirroring the character’s similar evolution in the original comics. This was all thanks to the secret manipulations of Samuel Sterns aka The Leader, whom Ross had kept imprisoned as his own private think tank since the events of 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Ultimately, Ross had no idea the experimental heart medication Sterns created was laced with gamma radiation, resulting in his rage-fueled transformation by the movie’s end.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t really enough of the Red Hulk in Brave New World, who was only featured in the movie’s third act. This is especially true with marketing having put so much emphasis on Red Hulk’s few scenes in various teasers and trailers. That said, seeing the Red Hulk’s power and savagery conflicted with Ross’ struggles to keep his rage (and past) in check is a great reminder of how great seeing a truly rage-filled Hulk can be.
The MCU Should Bring Back The Real Hulk After So Many Years Of Smart Hulk
Savage Hulk Deserves A Comeback
Conversely, for Bruce Banner’s original Hulk, it’s been several years since we’ve seen him as his original “Savage Hulk” self. On the one hand, “Smart Hulk” was a solid twist for Endgame, one that helped show the five years that had pᴀssed between Thanos snapping his fingers and Ant-Man’s return from the Quantum Realm with his idea for the Time Heist. However, said twist shouldn’t come at the cost of never getting to see the original version of the character again, one that’s far more iconic.
The dicH๏τomy between Bruce Banner and the Hulk is what makes the character so special. To that end, Avengers: Doomsday and/or Secret Wars is a good chance to revert things and get the Hulk back to form. After all, the Avengers and their fellow teams of heroes are likely going to need all the help they can get in the face of probable multiversal collapse and Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
How Smart Hulk Can Become Hulk Again In The MCU
Marvel Needs To Find A Way…
It shouldn’t be too hard to turn “Smart Hulk” back into “Savage Hulk” in the MCU. We may already be heading in that direction following the events of She-Hulk, where it was revealed that Bruce had created a Hulk Inhibitor Device, allowing him to become fully human again. Keeping that in mind, perhaps all of this suppression and inhibition will backfire whenever Bruce finds himself in a moment of truly extreme stress, something the next two Avengers movies will no doubt be full of. At any rate, one can only hope that the “Savage Hulk” will be unleashed once more in the MCU sooner rather than later.
Captain America: Brave New World is now streaming on Disney+.
All Announced 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
- Release Date
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December 18, 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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December 17, 2027
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