The HULK Thread - Part 1

[metaphysician]

I would be amused if that were the denouement: Hulk beats Fenris, not because Hulk is stronger, but because he's smarter. Fenris can be the biggest, scariest, most unbeatable giant wolf that's falling through the void. Hulk by ringout.

 

[HammerDown]

Fenris is no regular dog and definitely no push over. He's a giant wolf that seems to be likely 4 to 5 times bigger than the Hulk. Having said that Hulk will undoubtably take down Fenris in some manner and looking at that footage it could very well be one way to defeat Fenris... for Hulk to push/throw him over the edge. At least that could be one of the outcomes for that fight.

 

[terry78]

The Hulk has always been a pragmatic fighter regardless of his intelligence level. Even a little kid knows that if you goad something into coming near you it'll run into whatever is behind you.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I wanna see Fenris first ravage The Hulk like a wild wolf would. They're relentless in their attack.

 

[CoherentChaos]

Don't know how they can just allude to a ton of blood and gore to keep PG-13 but man, I'd be down for a showcase of advanced regeneration for MCU Hulk through Fenris eviscerating him only for him to recover.

 

[HammerDown]

Exclusive interview from Mark Ruffalo to IGN Brazil.

Here is the article translated.

But how will Banner be? Does he still suffer to control his second and powerful personality? According to Mark Ruffalo, actor who plays the character, the remoteness of the Avengers did very well and Bruce "is free of the Hulk" in Ragnarok. "In this story, Banner was basically inside the Hulk for two years when we met him. He went into a deep rest, all the traumatic things in his life that made him afraid, having doubts, preventing him from being able to enjoy life, were erased ", explains the actor in an interview sent exclusively to IGN Brazil.

"When he wakes up, he's like a boy of eight or twelve.He has the same exuberance, curiosity and admiration he had before losing his mother and father and before experiencing all the other traumatic things that happened in his life. He finaly realizes he is free fom the Hulk. We are now free of any presumptions that the relationship between Hulk and Banner has had up until now. Hulk doesn't turn into the Hulk or is no longer the Hulk because of Banner's anger. Hulk is now prescient"

For the actor, however, this change does not mean that Hulk and Banner represent a single personality, but rather "two totally different characters." While the scientist is finally ready to lower his guard and accept his emotions, his other side may also be sad, happy, and especially more communicative.

"Anger is no longer present all the time in Hulk, so he is more physically relaxed as well." Now he does normal things to keep himself, has to eat, bathe, sleep. There's also something very childish about that, like him discovering food, for example, "adds Ruffalo. Even so, the relationship between them remains "very conflicted", according to the actor. Ruffalo emphasizes the fact that Hulk and Banner are inextricably linked to each other, so that they oppose each other absolutely.

http://br.ign.com/thor-ragnarok-1/53648/feature/em-thor-ragnarok-bruce-banner-esta-livre-do-hulk

 

[CoherentChaos]

Whoa, that's a lot to take in. Bruce is now fresh and well adjusted? As though nothing bad has ever happened to him? And if Hulk is no longer fueled by Bruce's rage, then how does that effect his overall power?

 

[BigThor]

I don't think anger really powers MCU Hulk the same way it does in the comics. Besides the 2008 film there's never really been an instance of his strength building with his rage.

 

[terry78]

That's an interesting take. Very Peter David.

 

[Gamma Ra]

I don't think anger really powers MCU Hulk the same way it does in the comics. Besides the 2008 film there's never really been an instance of his strength building with his rage.

The mistake that many people make about the Hulk is that they believe he thrives on rage, when in fact he prefers to be left alone. Rage only fuels him and makes him stronger and increases some of his other abilities. Though it has not been mentioned in the MCU, it has been shown to some degree in Hulk's fight with the Abomination.

 

[CoherentChaos]

The mistake that many people make about the Hulk is that they believe he thrives on rage, when in fact he prefers to be left alone. Rage only fuels him and makes him stronger and increases some of his other abilities. Though it has not been mentioned in the MCU, it has been shown to some degree in Hulk's fight with the Abomination.

For me, I think the thing that may confuse some people (since to me it's not clearly defined, in the movies at least) is how Hulk is able to even exist without rage. Whenever he calms down is when he transforms into Bruce, so seeing a calm Hulk remain Hulk might throw some off.

My headcanon is that rage certainly empowers him. Even the MCU subtlely alludes to this with Hulk effortlessly ripping chunks out of the Hulkbuster armor after the tooth spit out (whereas before he was struggling), and of course the Abomination fight.

But as for why he transforms back into Banner when calm? My idea is that it has to do with clarity allowing the other persona to take control again, whereas rage really diminishes Bruce's ability to even comprehend what's going on let alone direct his own body. So Hulk didn't need anger to merely exist but he did need it to delay Bruce "waking back up". As for why Bruce stays under for 2 years in Ragnarok, thus allowing a calm Hulk to exist, that we may need to just wait and see what explanation they give.

I should clarify that I think it's an excellent next step for the character but it's a huge change in how the character operates, so now fans and the general audience have to rethink Hulk's "rule set" so to speak. That will probably be jarring for some, as it sort of is for me since I'm still trying to figure out what this means in the greater scheme of MCU Hulk's "lore".

 

[terry78]

There have been instances in the books where Hulk has been perfectly calm and rational on the outside and not looking remotely pissed, but apparently Banner is still angry on the inside or whatever. Writers are very inconsistent.

 

[BigThor]

I would be amused if that were the denouement: Hulk beats Fenris, not because Hulk is stronger, but because he's smarter. Fenris can be the biggest, scariest, most unbeatable giant wolf that's falling through the void. Hulk by ringout.

That would be epic.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

The mistake that many people make about the Hulk is that they believe he thrives on rage, when in fact he prefers to be left alone. Rage only fuels him and makes him stronger and increases some of his other abilities. Though it has not been mentioned in the MCU, it has been shown to some degree in Hulk's fight with the Abomination.

it will be interesting to see how they handle this new dynamic with Bruce and Hulk as its something the movies have never touched upon before despite being quite common in the comics.

 

[BigThor]

I'm curious to see the scene where Hulk is chasing Thor through the streets.

I was kind of bummed about their fight being confined to an arena, I wanted to see some destructive goodness like in the Hulkbuster fight.

Except even better and they can go all out even more since they're on a completely different planet.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

There is a chase scene between them?

 

[HammerDown]

In the new issue of SciFiNow Chris Hemsworth talks a bit about that scene in particular.

"Today's scene involves the Hulk chasing me through the streets of Sakaar," "The Hulk is not too happy, so i am running quick to get away from him. It's a fun scene."

 

[Surfer]

In the new issue of SciFiNow Chris Hemsworth talks a bit about that scene in particular.

I am not sure I like the way this sounds, even though it may not be the case. Hulk chasing Thor through the streets, makes it sound like Thor is running from a fight. Which I interpret as He lost the Gladiator match and he is now running through the street in fear of facing the Hulk. Once again I am pretty sure my interpretation is wrong, but knowing what we do from the trailers the statement sure gives me that impression.

Surfer

 

[terry78]

I don't think he's running from a fight but he knows Hulk is a friend and something is up with him and he's trying to avoid any collateral damage.

 

[Surfer]

I don't think he's running from a fight but he knows Hulk is a friend and something is up with him and he's trying to avoid any collateral damage.

Yeah, quite possibly he is trying to take the battle to a less populated area, I just think many people would interpret that statement as Thor is running from a fight with the Hulk, even if it is not the case.

Surfer

 

[HammerDown]

I am not sure I like the way this sounds, even though it may not be the case. Hulk chasing Thor through the streets, makes it sound like Thor is running from a fight. Which I interpret as He lost the Gladiator match and he is now running through the street in fear of facing the Hulk. Once again I am pretty sure my interpretation is wrong, but knowing what we do from the trailers the statement sure gives me that impression.

Surfer

I'm also pretty sure your interpretation is wrong. "Losing and then running away in fear"? Not Thor. Thor would not just "run from a fight". He would rather stay and take the beating if it came up to it... like a champ. There's something behind that chase, some reasoning... Why are they even outside the arena at this point, maybe Thor is trying to lure Hulk away from the arena... Maybe Thor is trying to show the Hulk another side of Sakaar... maybe that's Thor plan all along...

 

[Surfer]

I'm also pretty sure your interpretation is wrong. "Losing and then running away in fear"? Not Thor. Thor would not just "run from a fight". He would rather stay and take the beating if it came up to it... like a champ. There's something behind that chase, some reasoning... Why are they even outside the arena at this point, maybe Thor is trying to lure Hulk away from the arena... Maybe Thor is trying to show the Hulk another side of Sakaar... maybe that's Thor plan all along...

Well once again I am just pointing out the way it makes it sound, when you think of the word Chase the mind automatically thinks of someone trying to get away. I mean if you think of a Car chase it might be police chasing after criminals, and the criminals are trying to get away because of fear of being caught.

But I am pretty sure there is a logical reason behind it, and I agree Thor would not run from a fight. So, to me it is just the wording without context that makes it feel that way.

Surfer

 

[jadejaws]

I'm also pretty sure your interpretation is wrong. "Losing and then running away in fear"? Not Thor. Thor would not just "run from a fight". He would rather stay and take the beating if it came up to it... like a champ. There's something behind that chase, some reasoning... Why are they even outside the arena at this point, maybe Thor is trying to lure Hulk away from the arena... Maybe Thor is trying to show the Hulk another side of Sakaar... maybe that's Thor plan all along...

Wonder if Thor lures Hulk into the chase after the trailer shot of him getting knocked through the wall. I agree there has to be a reason...baiting him perhaps? Thor wouldn't take off to avoid him.

 

[BigThor]

There had better be a damn good reason behind and the reason better be CLEARLY shown.

 

[Gamma Ra]

For me, I think the thing that may confuse some people (since to me it's not clearly defined, in the movies at least) is how Hulk is able to even exist without rage. Whenever he calms down is when he transforms into Bruce, so seeing a calm Hulk remain Hulk might throw some off.

My headcanon is that rage certainly empowers him. Even the MCU subtlely alludes to this with Hulk effortlessly ripping chunks out of the Hulkbuster armor after the tooth spit out (whereas before he was struggling), and of course the Abomination fight.

But as for why he transforms back into Banner when calm? My idea is that it has to do with clarity allowing the other persona to take control again, whereas rage really diminishes Bruce's ability to even comprehend what's going on let alone direct his own body. So Hulk didn't need anger to merely exist but he did need it to delay Bruce "waking back up". As for why Bruce stays under for 2 years in Ragnarok, thus allowing a calm Hulk to exist, that we may need to just wait and see what explanation they give.

I should clarify that I think it's an excellent next step for the character but it's a huge change in how the character operates, so now fans and the general audience have to rethink Hulk's "rule set" so to speak. That will probably be jarring for some, as it sort of is for me since I'm still trying to figure out what this means in the greater scheme of MCU Hulk's "lore".

One of the aspects of the Hulk and Bruce Banner dynamic from the comics that Bill Mantlo expressed was that Hulk in part is Bruce Banner's survival instinct and also Paul Jenkins stated that he is his self defense mechanism externalized. Rage is not the only emotion that brings forth the Hulk in comics and television, which is why; although hilarious; Tony Stark's "giant rage monster" line makes me cringe. It would be wise that Marvel Studios takes the route of the struggle for domination.

There have been instances in the books where Hulk has been perfectly calm and rational on the outside and not looking remotely pissed, but apparently Banner is still angry on the inside or whatever. Writers are very inconsistent.

One of the themes I fight for is that the studios when translating characters from comics to cinema, is that they should stay close to the essense of what made said character last for decades. The dichotomy of Hulk and Banner is that they fight for control over their existance. Neither Hulk nor Banner have to be angry for Hulk to exist. That is something that started with the television show, not the comic. Hulk has many times supressed Banner for long periods and enjoyed it in as much as the surly Hulk could find happiness.

it will be interesting to see how they handle this new dynamic with Bruce and Hulk as its something the movies have never touched upon before despite being quite common in the comics.

In an interview, Ruffalo mentioned

Spoiler

that Banner's body defaulted to Hulk's because of the harsh environment of Sakaar

. Sometimes a simple statement can speak volumes. Hopefully going forward Hulk will be more like the Child-like Hulk that thinks Banner is "puny".