The MCU's Hulk Is More Important Than Ever In The Last Way You'd Expect

After years of overlooking him, Marvel Studios finally makes Hulk a relevant figure in the MCU. While Bruce Banner hasn’t had a solo movie of his own since The Incredible Hulk, Phases one through three were generous to the Hulk. The Green Goliath received a similar amount of importance as the rest of the original Avengers throughout the Infinity Saga.

Unfortunately, Hulk’s lack of solo entries has been felt much more as of late. Hulk’s defeat at the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War led the original Gamma monster to hide deep within Bruce Banner’s consciousness. As a result, the iconic angry behemoth has been absent for seven years, almost half of his entire MCU story.

Smart Hulk and Captain America learning of Black Widow's death in Avengers Endgame — Smart Hulk and Captain America learning of Black Widow’s death in Avengers Endgame

After a long wait, Marvel Studios is finally placing the spotlight on Hulk. Captain America: Brave New World brought back Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns as the Leader, and it transformed Thaddeus Ross into the Red Hulk. One year later, Spider-Man: Brand New Day features Hulk’s return alongside Spider-Man and the Punisher. Despite how crowded the MCU has become, Marvel hasn’t forgotten Mark Ruffalo’s Avenger.

However, it’s quite odd that Marvel has put a special focus on Hulk in the movies of two heroes who never interacted with him. Bruce Banner and Sam Wilson are in the same Avengers: Infinity War squad, but they don’t exchange a single line of dialog. Sam only comments “this is awkward” when he sees Bruce Banner and Natasha Romanoff reunite at Avengers HQ.

In the same Avengers: Infinity War scene, Bruce Banner comments “there’s an Ant-Man and a Spider-Man?”. Later, Smart Hulk and Spider-Man participate in Avengers: Endgame‘s crowded Battle of Earth. Yet, they don’t even share the screen for more than one or two sH๏τs. So, even if Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s spell didn’t work on Hulk, he wouldn’t remember Spidey, as he never really met Peter.

Hulk Deserves A Major Role In Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars

The Avengers ᴀssemble to fight Hydra in Avengers Age of Ultron's opening action scene — The Avengers ᴀssemble to fight Hydra in Avengers Age of Ultron’s opening action scene

Marvel Studios’ new focus on Hulk shows how important the Jade Giant continues to be, even without a solo sequel. After Captain America: Brave New World and Spider-Man: Brand New Day leaned on his lore, the least Hulk deserves in return is a significant role in the MCU’s upcoming movies. By this point, Hulk shines the brightest as a supporting character.

Fortunately for Hulk, the MCU’s Phase 6 slate offers him three consecutive chances to have a major role in the franchise. Hulk could steal the show in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Then, Hulk could be one of the main characters in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.