Marvel Studios accidentally teased Captain America: Brave New World‘s plot seventeen years before. While The Incredible Hulk remains slightly separate from the rest of the MCU’s Phase 1 entries, it’s still an official part of the franchise. The Incredible Hulk features several MCU easter eggs and a cameo by Tony Stark, and its events have been refereced multiple times.

Seventeen years later, The Incredible Hulk‘s Samuel Sterns and Thaddeus Ross returned with a Gamma upgrade in Captain America: Brave New World. Bruce Banner didn’t return to face them. Instead, Sam Wilson singlehandedly defeated the Leader and the Red Hulk, cementing himself as Captain America and the leader of the Avengers.

The Incredible Hulk Introduced Sam Wilson’s Nephew

When General Ross and his forces catch Bruce Banner at Culver University, two students run onto the battlefield to film the Hulk. One of them is Jack McGee, inspired by a character from the ’70s show, and the other is Jim Wilson, inspired by an eponymous comic book character. In the comics, Jim Wilson is Sam Wilson’s nephew.

The MCU’s Jim Wilson not only provides the best footage of the Hulk to the public, but he also seems to be the person who coins the name “Hulk“. Banner’s Gamma alter ego is previously referred to simply as a “green monster” in Thaddeus Ross’ files during The Incredible Hulk‘s opening credits. The same newscast is later included in Iron Man 2.

Curiously, Sam Wilson has never interacted with Bruce Banner in the MCU. The closest they’ve come to exchanging words is in Avengers: Infinity War. Despite being in the same squad, Sam only comments, “this is awkward” when he sees Bruce and Natasha reunite. Still, Sam Wilson finds himself fighting Hulk’s villains in Captain America: Brave New World years later.

Captain America: Brave New World Could’ve Been Better With 1 MCU Change

Captain America: Brave New World pits Sam Wilson against both Samuel Sterns and Thaddeus Ross, yet it doesn’t mention Bruce Banner. While Brave New World suffers the most from a rushed plot and numerous rewrites, a prior friendship between Sam Wilson and Bruce Banner could have improved its premise. Sam fighting Bruce’s villains would have been more significant to their relationship and both of their arcs.

Established friendships and interactions are more important to the MCU’s interconnectivity than they may seem at first. For instance, Avengers: Age of Ultron‘s party scene at Avengers Tower elevates Steve Rogers’ Mjolnir scene from Avengers: Endgame. Only a couple of interactions between Sam and Bruce could have added another layer to their The Incredible Hulk and Captain America: Brave New World connections.