Hulk‘s return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day risks repeating the plot of the widely panned Captain America: Brave New World. Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day starts a new chapter in Peter Parker’s MCU story with what appears to be an exciting conflict between Spider-Man and the Punisher. As if that weren’t enough, Hulk also plays a role in the plot.

After Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner attained his Smart Hulk form off-screen between Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, he has only appeared on screen twice. Smart Hulk welcomed Shang-Chi and mentored She-Hulk, both in Phase 4. Four years later, Mark Ruffalo’s original Avenger is finally having another supporting role in a new MCU team-up event.

Bruce Banner’s Original Hulk Is Likely To Return In Spider-Man: Brand New Day

While he has remained active, Bruce Banner hasn’t had any significant impact on the MCU lately. Considering Spider-Man: Brand New Day features a packed cast that includes the Punisher, Scorpion, and Spider-Man himself, it would be a wasted opportunity to limit Mark Ruffalo’s return to Smart Hulk. Banner deserves to appear as a fully-powered Savage Hulk for the first time in more than eight years.

Frank Castle, Mac Gargan, Sadie Sink’s mysterious character, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s main villain could all have the key to reverting Smart Hulk to his angry form. It may only take a well-timed attack or a specific scientific experiment to light the spark within Smart Hulk’s mind. This may be precisely what pits Spider-Man and the Punisher against each other.

Captain America: Brave New World Already Used The Best Way To Bring Back Savage Hulk

Theories surrounding Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s main villain abound, especially those centered around Mister Negative. Regardless of whether Martin Li is introduced or not, Spider-Man’s main antagonist may be the one who reawakens the Savage Hulk. This way, Spider-Man: Brand New Day could have an epic three-way fight between Hulk, Spider-Man, and the Punisher.

However, as exciting as it may sound, Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s most logical way to incorporate the Hulk could feel repeтιтive. Only a little over a year before, Captain America: Brave New World saw the Leader manipulate and transform Thaddeus Ross into the Red Hulk. Any script remotely resembling Marvel’s lowest-grossing 2025 movie would be a huge risk for the studio.

Ross’ transformation into the Red Hulk was undeniably the most thrilling part of Captain America: Brave New World. Still, Red Hulk had little development beyond his final battle, and his power had to be reduced in order to make the fight believable. Something similar could happen to Savage Hulk’s return if Mark Ruffalo appears in a similar capacity in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Hulk Deserves To Be More Than A Simple Plot Point In Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Loki tried to turn the Hulk against his team in The Avengers. Years later, the Grandmaster crowned Hulk his champion in Thor: Ragnarok. And later, the Leader forced the Red Hulk to lose control in Captain America: Brave New World. By now, the “living Gamma weapon” trope is overplayed. Making the Hulk a ticking bomb in Spider-Man: Brand New Day may not be the best approach.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day gives Marvel the perfect chance to reintroduce the original Hulk with a new twist. For his return to matter, Hulk needs to evolve him beyond everything Marvel has done with him so far. A proper balance between a power upgrade and an original arc is the least Hulk deserves in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.