Summary
With the Red Hulk about to get introduced to theMCU, Marvel is going to have to retcon one majorAvengers: Endgamedecision to set up his future. Ever since Thaddeus Ross was confirmed to be inCaptain America: Brave New World, many speculated that his appearance meant that the Red Hulk was coming. These speculations were finally confirmed with the first official look atBrave New World, when the trailer closed out with a shot ofthe MCU Red Hulkin all of his glory.
The debut of the Red Hulk inthe MCU timelineis sure to spark excitement, but it’ll also bring up a few questions. As a Hulk, Red Hulk’s ties to Bruce Banner will have to be explored eventually. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk has not been slated to appear in theCaptain America: Brave New Worldcast, so it likely won’t happen in the film. Putting off a meeting between Hulk and Red Hulk may be for the better, as Marvel has one big decision they need to retcon before the two interact.
Why Exactly Is The New MCU Hulk Red?!
Red Hulk will debut in the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World, but why exactly is the character so similar to Hulk, with such a different shade?
Red Hulk Has To Fight Hulk In The MCU
Thaddeus Ross has always been one of Bruce Banner’s biggest opponents, and Ross’ transformation into Red Hulk should spur their rivalry even more.Ross has held disdain for the Hulk because of their conflict of beliefs when it comes to power and manliness, though this hasn’t really been explored in the MCU since back inThe Incredible Hulk.Captain America: Brave New Worldwouldn’t introduce Ross’ Red Hulk if Marvel didn’t have concrete plans for him, so this could be the studio’s way of setting up anupcoming Hulk storyline.
Harrison Ford will appear as Thaddeus Ross inCaptain America: Brave New World, taking over the role from the late William Hurt.
It would feel like a waste of both characters if Hulk didn’t fight Red Hulk in the MCU. Besides the fact that it would make for a great action sequence and an incredible display of power, Ross and Banner’s relationship has always been complex and a core faucet of their stories. Now that he has become what he’s always hated, there is a messy dynamic between Banner and Ross that needs to be explored, between both their human and Hulk personas.
Endgame Created A Major Problem For Hulk’s Red Hulk Battle
A fight between Hulk and Red Hulk is inevitable, but the MCU will have to retcon one major Hulk decision before this confrontation can happen. InAvengers: Infinity War, Bruce and the Hulk struggled to see eye-to-eye, which hindered Bruce from transforming. He had fixed this inEndgameby learning to merge his human and Hulk sides into the Smart Hulk persona. Marvel’s Smart Hulk decision has worked decently well in his current stories, but his existence has created a major problem if Hulk ever wants to battle Red Hulk.
Red Hulk has a few unique attributes that the Hulk doesn’t have, making Red Hulk arguably stronger. As such, if the MCU’s Hulk wants to stand a chance in this fight, he may need to be out of control. Jennifer Walters already suggested inShe-HulkthatSmart Hulk is physically weakerthan Bruce’s original Hulk persona.Hulk needs to lose control and rage if he wants to reach his full physical capabilitiesand take down Red Hulk, and the self-aware Smart Hulk persona likely even knows that.
Endgame’s Smart Hulk Decision Needs To Be Reversed
Avengers: Endgame’s Smart Hulk choice was already controversial with fans when it first happened, and it’s about time that the Hulk decision is reversed. Smart Hulk’s strength isn’t as great as the original Hulk’s, which will put Bruce at a disadvantage in any future fight. Battle aside, the Smart Hulk persona has just been exhausted in the MCU already. He was thoroughly explored inEndgameandShe-Hulk, andmany fans are surely missing the separate Bruce Banner and Hulk personas on their screen.
The MCU Needs To Kill Smart Hulk For The Best Hulk Movie
A World War Hulk film would give the Hulk and Banner a so-needed new arc in the MCU, but for that to work, the Smart Hulk needs to go.
It’s unlikely that Bruce will stay in his Smart Hulk persona for the rest of his time in the MCU, so there’s no better reason to have him revert back than the Red Hulk’s arrival. Hulks will always be connected, so a confrontation between Ross’ Red Hulk and Banner’s Hulk in the MCU seems inevitable. Given that it’s likely that this fight won’t happen inCaptain America: Brave New World, which means that Marvel has the perfect opportunity to be able to retcon theirAvengers: Endgamedecision before the two face off.
