Summary
- Fans are still interested in the Hulk in his original form, paving the way for Marvel to redeem his MCU story.
- The perfect opportunity for the MCU to revert Smart Hulk back to his original form is in the upcoming Avengers 5 & 6.
- Hulk’s cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine highlights the need for Marvel to showcase both Bruce Banner and the rage Hulk again.
Hulk only had a brief cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, but his appearance raises a big issue that the MCU needs to address. The character of Bruce Banner has been through the wringer with Hulk actor changes and a lack of solo film. He manages to be one of the few remaining original Avengers still active somewhere in the MCU, but a crucial change to his character will have to be made if Marvel wants to continue with him going forward.
In Avengers: Infinity War, Bruce Banner’s Hulk persona was scared to emerge after being defeated by Thanos early on. Bruce had to go into the Battle of Wakanda without the Hulk, so the character had a lot to reflect on in the aftermath. This resulted in the debut of Smart Hulk in Endgame, as Bruce learned to merge his consciousness with the Hulk’s body. He is currently still in his Smart Hulk form in the MCU, but his Deadpool & Wolverine cameo gives reason for the studio to finally change him back.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hulk Vs Wolverine Fight Shows The Unused Potential Of The Hulk
Hulk Is Just One Of Many Cameos In Deadpool & Wolverine
At one point, while Wade is looking for a Logan variant in the multiverse, he mentions that the Wolverine suit he is wearing is the one that he fought the Hulk in. The Hulk then appears in the reflection of Wolverine’s claws, then behind Deadpool before he punches Wade and sends him flying. Deadpool & Wolverine featured many huge cameos, so Hulk’s flew a little under the radar, but it still garnered a significant amount of hype. In the film, the Hulk is notably in his original rage-fuelled form and not in his Smart Hulk persona.
Even though the Hulk has been present in the MCU for years at this point, there is still so much potential for the green rage monster character that Marvel hasn’t explored yet. Since the Hulk can’t have a solo film in the MCU, his development depends on other projects. Bruce spent all of Avengers: Endgame and She-Hulk as the Smart Hulk and the change to the character had already gotten mixed reception. However, his Deadpool & Wolverine cameo is a reminder of how great the Hulk is in his original form.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hulk Cameo Hype Shows The MCU Can Still Redeem His Story
There Is Still Interest Among Fans For The Hulk
Fans were excited to see the Hulk in his original rage form in Deadpool & Wolverine, even if it was only for a brief moment. His cameo proves that there is still enough interest in the Hulk character that the MCU should take advantage of going forward. However, if they do continue featuring the Hulk in future projects, Marvel needs to redeem his story. Fans will likely only be interested in the character if he reverts from his Smart Hulk persona so that they can see both Bruce Banner and the rage Hulk once again.
There are definitely some upcoming projects where the MCU can revert their Hulk decision, so Marvel doesn’t have an excuse as to why they can’t. Especially with the upcoming introduction of Thaddeus Ross’ Red Hulk, Bruce’s rage Hulk is needed more than ever. If Marvel does redeem Hulk’s story, they just have to ensure that it is on-screen. One of the biggest criticisms of Smart Hulk was that his transformation happened off-screen between Infinity War and Endgame, and this mistake can’t happen again if Marvel does revert the change.
Avengers 5 & 6 Are The Perfect Places To Revert Smart Hulk Into The Hulk
Hulk Would Fit Seamlessly Into An Avengers Ensemble Cast
The MCU has a perfect place to revert the Smart Hulk to the original Hulk, and that is in either of the upcoming Avengers films. Although he may not play as big of a role in Avengers 5 and 6 as he had in past Avengers films, Bruce will undoubtedly be an important presence as a mentor to the new generation of Avengers. Though Doomsday and Secret Wars are said not to be led by any one individual, either film could still dedicate a few scenes to the Hulk’s transformation considering his legacy in the MCU.
The upcoming Avengers films are the perfect place for Marvel to revert their Hulk change as it will be the biggest MCU fight yet, which means that every hero will have to be in their strongest form. Hulk’s Deadpool & Wolverine cameo proves that there is still interest in a Hulk story, but it would have to be in the rage Hulk form. It’s been too long since Bruce Banner and the original Hulk have been in the MCU, and Deadpool & Wolverine may just be the reminder that Marvel needs about the character’s full potential.