Opinion on the Hulk's use in the MCU

True ! But he does deserve some of it for just going with the flow when he had one of the most popular characters heading into the MCU and also post Avengers 1.

 

For sure.

Overall, I don't mind the evolution of Hulk's character in the MCU that eventually led us to Professor Hulk, moreso I have an issue with the continuous missed opportunities that happened. I loved Hulk in Ragnarok, but I hated that he was basically hiding in Infinity War. Even the original plan of having Bruce emerge from the Hulkbuster as smart Hulk would have been an improvement. I loved that Hulk was the one to bring everyone back from the snap in Endgame, but I hated that he never got a rematch with Thanos. He absolutely should have been there with Tony, Steve and Thor when they met Thanos before the final battle.

 

Agreed.

 

I liked him in Incredible Hulk, Avengers 1 and Age of Ultron and most of Ragnarok. Awful in Infinity War and Endgame

 

@Roose Bolton

Shang Chi spoilers:

Spoiler

So... I was weak and for the first time in a long time checked out confirmed spoilers for a CBM.

SHANG-CHI post credits and use of Blonsky is... Interesting for any Hulk fan.

We knew Blonsky fights Wong but Wong brought him there and they speak to each other after the fight as if they have known each other for some time. Then Wong slings them both back to what looks like some kind of facility/prison.

Post credits see Wong bringing the film's hero and sidekick into the Sanctum for a holographic meet and greet with Carol Danvers, rocking long hair than Endgame and Bruce Banner. Not Prof. Hulk, fully human Banner with his arm still in a sling though.

So...

What to make of all that?

Obviously Shang-Chi is getting recruited to a new Avengers line up.

How does Wong figure into Blonsky? That is left field as all hell.

And it appears that Ruffalo is still Banner though now human sized again so where is that going? Is any of this tied into She-Hulk? Does this lead into some other version of Hulk being on deck next?

Out of nowhere a lot to chew on in regards to what may or may not be in the cards for Jade Jaws in the MCU.

 

Spoiler

The Professor Hulk/Banner thing gives me hope that they’re going back to the varying personalities again. Hopefully...Joe Fixit is on the horizon.

Blonsky thing really has my interest. If he and Wong are on good terms, sounds like they might be leaning into his more nuanced characterisation from the Paul Jenkins era where he’s got a semblance of morality when it’s not concerning Banner. I could see him being the Avengers “inside man” if Val ends up recruiting him for the Thunderbolts/Dark Avengers.

 

I had the opposite reaction. I assumed that...

Spoiler

...they're just straight up done with Hulk. Why dump money into CGI for someone who's doomed to be relegated to background comic relief and teaser cameos from now on? Maybe he'll occasionally imply that he still goes into Hulk form off-screen, or whatever, but in terms of on-screen stuff my guess is it's all plain vanilla Ruffalo from here on out. The only green we'll be seeing is She-Hulk.

I hope I'm wrong. It'd be nice if the character didn't just fade out with a whimper. But I don't have much hope.

 

My general assumption that it was a reaction to Professor Hulk being a flop and they’re going back to the previous status.

But who knows, maybe they do hate the character.

 

Spoiler

I will be a glass half full guy and say, sure, perhaps as one of the remaining three original MCU Avengers, with Hawkeye in semi-retired status and Thor off planet Bruce becomes a defacto face of the team so it may just be that sweet spot of fan service that brought the Banner character to the Shang Chi mid credit scene.

But consider that as the most prominent original Avenger left he has automatically assumed great importance in keeping the team's fire burning and he has seemingly taken some hand in getting a group together for the next threats on the horizon. Maybe it's just this scene or maybe there are plans for Banner and Hulk to play some central part in the coming years?

 

I have a feeling Banner will be the Avengers equivalent to Billy in Power Rangers. He'll stick around forever in a tech support role, but I wouldn't get my hopes up about seeing him in action again. Especially since...

Spoiler

...his arm seems to be permanently crippled.

 

Spoiler

I really want Joe Fixit.

 

@Roose Bolton



Hmm...

 

The idea of Ruffalo appearing in Netflix+ shows doesn't mean much until we know his role. I'm sure Banner will show up here and there as an easy nostalgic tie in to the classic Avengers era, but for all we know his appearances will never amount to more than him showing up to talk about some new super science thing or crack a joke while eating a taco.

 

One other thing that annoyed me is that the Hulk's design got progressively worse from film to film. Pitch perfect in The Avengers. Not sure what happened by the time we got to Ragnarok/Infinity War.

Side note, what's everybody's favorite Hulk? I gotta say I am loving the beastial, ape-like designs of Alex Ross and Joe Bennett in Immortal Hulk.

 

Not a fan of the Hulk's design in Endgame at all.

Though admittedly, I still miss the more monstrous look from The Incredible Hulk.

 

So Bruce Banner’s getting his face cut off soon.

Joe Bennett and Bryan Hitch probably draw my favourite Hulk. They both have that crazed look to them that I think is appropriately threatening.

 

Banner secretly infected by Werewolves. Interaction with gamma blood heals arm and unleashes new gray skinned personality.



It's worth a shot, no?

 

I mean, I have nothing against Professor Hulk, I just wish his evolution didn't happen offscreen.

 

Bennette did a wonderful job. Immortal Hulk wouldn't have been the same without him.

 

Anyone remember Wade in Hulk Vs. Wolverine?

 

This is everything i would want from Hulk.

 

I think it's time for Hulk to get another solo film. Yes The Incredible Hulk did underperform in theaters, but that had nothing to do with the film's quality. It was because a lot of people still had a bad taste in their mouths from the 2003 film and at the time, the MCU was still in it's infancy stages. Most people weren't aware that they were setting up a shared universe with the Marvel characters.

I think by now, many more people would be open to another solo Hulk film.

 

I also loved what they did with him in TIH!

 

TIH was too serious IMO. They would need to lighten the character up in traditional MCU fashion to get the general audience on board. If a solo hulk film can be as fun as Thor Ragnarok then I’m in.