Hulk may finally get a new MCU storyline of his own in Avengers: Secret Wars thanks to Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The climax of Hulk’s MCU story apparently happened off-screen when Bruce Banner created Smart Hulk. Smart Hulk’s debut has been a point of controversy, as it skipped the most pivotal part of Hulk’s journey in favor of a time jump.

However, Mark Ruffalo’s continued presence in the MCU suggests Hulk’s story isn’t over. Whereas Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers bowed out after Avengers: Endgame, Ruffalo stayed on. Smart Hulk may only represent the midpoint of Hulk’s arc. In Phase 6, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday are set to resume Hulk’s journey.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Hulk Return Is Theorized To Bring Back The Hero’s Savage Form

Mark Ruffalo has been confirmed to return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Ruffalo’s Hulk joins a growing list of Marvel characters sharing the spotlight in Destin Daniel Cretton’s 2026 Spider-Man: Brand New Day, including Michael Mando’s Scorpion, Sadie Sink’s unconfirmed character, and the movie’s mystery main villain. Besides Peter Parker, Hulk may also interact with the Punisher, Scorpion, and multiple other MCU characters.

Since Spider-Man: Brand New Day appears to be pitting Spidey against the Punisher, it will likely pit both of them against the Hulk as well. Mark Ruffalo is unlikely to be playing a calm and comedic Smart Hulk in such an action-fueled movie. Instead, a three-way fight against Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s three most famous Marvel heroes is the least fans can expect.

The Original Hulk’s Return Comes Just In Time For Doomsday & Secret Wars

Smart Hulk’s reversion to his primal form in Spider-Man: Brand New Day ensures that he’s in peak shape for Avengers: Doomsday. If Hulk is meant to have a significant role in the conflict, the Avengers might need a raw force of nature rather than a subdued, slightly stronger version of Bruce Banner. Mark Ruffalo’s return as Smart Hulk would be redundant.

Having Smart Hulk appear in a limited support role would be a missed opportunity. While Banner’s smarts may play a key role in the plot, there’s little else his peaceful personality could contribute to Avengers: Doomsday. Instead, Hulk’s struggle between his humanity and his unbridled rage would provide a level of tension not seen in the MCU since Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are arguably the best moments for Hulk to continue his personal arc. These crossover events are the end of the Multiverse Saga and will likely lead to a soft-reboot of multiple characters. The Savage Hulk’s Phase 6 re-emergence might be the last chance to see the original Hulk interact with the Avengers and other MCU characters.

Avengers: Secret Wars Could Adapt The Immortal Hulk In Its Own MCU Timeline

Avengers: Doomsday is expected to center on Doctor Doom battling multiple hero factions. Avengers: Secret Wars could then shift focus to Battleworld, the patchwork planet created after Doom’s victory. Rather than existing as a separate dimension, the Below-Place could be one of Battleworld’s realms and a dark and personal battleground where Hulk’s mystical origins are explored while other heroes fight in other realms.

This approach would mirror how Hulk’s arc has been developed across previous supporting roles. The Below-Place’s existence in Battleworld would allow Hulk to have a self-contained Immortal Hulk subplot in Avengers: Secret Wars, just like Thor: Ragnarok adapted certain aspects of Planet Hulk. While Doom rules over other territories, Hulk could confront his physical and psychological threats in a horror-themed arena.

An Immortal Hulk subplot in Avengers: Secret Wars could push the limits of Hulk’s rage and explore the real origins of Bruce Banner and Hulk’s duality. She-Hulk and Skaar could accompany Hulk, and Brian Banner / Devil Hulk could appear as a secondary villain. Avengers: Secret Wars could also tie the Below-Place to Doctor Doom, who may be interested in harnessing its power.

Avengers: Secret Wars Seems Like The Only Way To Adapt The Immortal Hulk

Marvel is unlikely to greenlight a Hulk sequel due to Universal’s ownership of Hulk’s distribution rights. This is especially true now that Marvel is facing diminishing box office returns and the studio might be hesitant to take commercial risks. Incorporating The Immortal Hulk into Avengers: Secret Wars ensures Hulk’s most famous modern storyline can still reach the screen without a standalone release.

Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is one of the last original Avengers still active by the time Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars arrive. He has a natural place in both crossovers, potentially with a bigger role than his recent ensemble appearances. After Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday, Hulk’s journey could become an essential subplot that complements Doctor Doom’s multiversal conquest.

Avengers: Secret Wars‘ multiversal nature presents the perfect opportunity to explore a fantastical realm like the Below-Place, even if it doesn’t take center stage. The Immortal Hulk‘s dark tone, body horror, and psychological ideas deserve a full-length movie of their own. However, capturing Al Ewing’s comic book storyline on the big screen before the chance is gone might be more important.