MCU’s Hulk Rebooted with Unsettling Villain from Iconic Comic Arc

In the realm of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Marvel Studios encounters a significant challenge with the character Hulk, yet there’s an ideal solution to restore Bruce Banner’s image in the MCU, as demonstrated in Marvel Comics. Since Hulk’s introduction in 2008, Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Bruce Banner has been a key element in the MCU, although he has only starred in a single solo film, with Edward Norton playing the role initially. Over the past 17 years, Hulk has undergone numerous transformations, not all of which have been warmly welcomed by fans. To keep things fresh and engaging, Marvel Studios could consider revising his character arc.

In just one solo movie, Bruce Banner’s Hulk made an appearance, but his significant roles in films like The Avengers, Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Infinity War, Endgame, and the latest She-Hulk: Attorney at Law have greatly expanded his narrative. From a villain to an Avenger, gladiator, and currently a Hulk/human hybrid, fans have seen various transformations for the character. However, many are hoping that his recent transformation into Smart Hulk might be undone, and Marvel Studios could use a classic Marvel Comics storyline to make this happen, restoring the Hulk to his original form.

Hulk’s MCU Story Could Do With Some Fresh Life Into It, & A Soft Reboot Might Be The Best Way Forward

Bruce Banner’s Hulk Needs Rejuvenation In The MCU

Over time, the Hulk from the MCU has experienced a series of power reductions, often known as “nerfing,” which occurs when powerful characters are weakened with each subsequent appearance. In 2008, the Hulk defeated Abomination, clashed with Thor, Loki, and alien beings in 2012, and caused chaos through Johannesburg’s streets in 2015. However, since Age of Ultron, Bruce Banner has not been portrayed as the strongest Avenger anymore, quite the contrary. This leaves fans hopeful that Marvel Studios will revitalize the Hulk with new vigor in his future MCU appearances.

Lately, there’s been talk that Marvel Studios might opt for a soft reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) post-2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars,” introducing a fresh continuity for key franchise figures. Yet, it’s also possible that Marvel may elect to soft reboot Bruce Banner’s Hulk character independently, thereby setting up a new normal for this iconic figure, addressing some of his longstanding problems. Fortunately, a significant story arc in Marvel Comics from 2018-2021 could serve as an ideal basis for such a soft reboot within the MCU.

Marvel’s Comics Have Set Up A Perfect Story For An MCU Hulk Soft Reboot To Happen

Marvel Comics’ Immortal Hulk Story Could Make Great Alterations To The Hulk

In the ongoing saga of Marvel Comics’ Immortal Hulk series, a compelling scenario unfolds for the revitalization of the MCU’s Hulk. This is particularly evident through the manipulations of Dario Agger’s Minotaur and the fearsome entity called Xenmu. As the Devil Hulk wreaks havoc on Roxxon, with its CEO, Dario Agger, responding by unleashing monsters upon the populace, this inadvertently triggers a transformation of the Hulk back to his iconic Savage Hulk persona. Later, Agger summons Xenmu, who vanquishes the monsters and employs hypnotism to persuade the world that he is a hero while casting the Hulk as a villain.

Bruce Banner’s Live-Action MCU Project Year
The Incredible Hulk 2008
The Avengers 2012
Iron Man 3 2013
Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015
Thor: Ragnarok 2017
Avengers: Infinity War 2018
Captain Marvel 2019
Avengers: Endgame 2019
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2021
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law 2022

Introducing Xenmu and Dario Agger’s Minotaur into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could prove to be an intriguing addition, given that the extraterrestrial Xenmu might serve as the Hulk’s most formidable and menacing adversary ever depicted on-screen. By manipulating public and world memories about the Hulk, Xenmu could provide a unique twist to Bruce Banner’s narrative within the MCU. This plot development could transform Banner back into a more primal version of the Hulk, while simultaneously reshaping the general opinion of the Hulk in the MCU, creating fresh challenges and hurdles for Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the hero.

Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Ending Makes This Hulk Story Seem All The More Possible For The MCU

The World Has Forgotten Peter Parker, So The Same Could Be Done With Bruce Banner

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s been established that intricate storylines like this one can unfold, as seen in the 2021 film, “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This movie introduced a twist on the global mind manipulation concept when Doctor Strange used a spell to erase everyone’s memory about Peter Parker. Consequently, the multiverse villains and Spider-Man counterparts returned to their original realities. However, this spell left Tom Holland’s Spider-Man isolated within the MCU, with characters such as MJ, Ned Leeds, and Happy Hogan unaware of his existence due to the memory wipe.

In the Immortal Hulk storyline, although the world doesn’t erase its memory of the Hulk, Xenmu’s influence alters public opinion about the mighty Avenger. This resembles the conclusion of Spider-Man: No Way Home, but could inflict more profound and enduring consequences on the Hulk. Translating Xenmu’s fight against Bruce Banner from Marvel Comics’ Immortal Hulk could be a superb choice for the Hulk to reaffirm his true power once more, potentially sparking intriguing narratives for his potential prolonged MCU journey.

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2025-04-29 14:00