The figurative death of Smart Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) can bring back White Vision (Paul Bettany) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, only three from the original Earth's Mightiest Heroes remain active in the franchise. Each one of them has gone through significant changes as they move forward toward this new era of storytelling in the MCU. That includes Bruce Banner who has already appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings before his proper comeback in She-Hulk

One of, if not the biggest questions regarding the Avenger's current situation in the MCU is the fact that Bruce Banner is no longer Smart Hulk in Shang-Chi onwards, according to his post-credits scene cameo. Created in the five years after Thanos' (Josh Brolin) snap in Avengers: Infinity War, Smart Hulk debuted in Avengers: Endgame and was the perfect melding of Banner and the Hulk. It didn't seem like this form was necessarily reversible, so it was surprising to see the hero back in his human state. While Marvel Studios take their time explaining the whole situation, the metaphorical demise of Smart Hulk can pave the way for White Vision's return.

Related: MCU Phase 2 Secretly Explains Vision's Multiverse Of Madness Absence

When Vision was created in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he was a combination of many things, but he had two primary makers - Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner. Although not as integral as the genius billionaire Avenger in the process - considering that Iron Man spearheaded the Ultron Initiative and was the maker of JARVIS - Banner was also vital in his creation, and is also the only one of the two alive at the point of White Vision's creation. White Vision seemingly has Vision's memories, meaning he may seek Banner out for help or guidance - and Shang-Chi's Smart Hulk death means he should be able to find him, as Bruce Banner himself has reemerged into the MCU, instead of being in a half-Hulk half-human form that could have prevented White Vision from recognizing him as his creator.

Tony Stark and Bruce Banner in Age of Ultron

After his disappearance in WandaVision, White Vision's whereabouts remain unknown. Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), on the other hand, has already reappeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she fully embraced her persona as the Scarlet Witch in an attempt to reunite with her kids. Throughout the film, she didn't seem to have any intentions of looking for the synthezoid. That being said, the fact that White Vision is still out there in the MCU means that Marvel Studios has plans for him, and it's only a matter of time before he pops back into the franchise. When that time comes, it makes sense if White Vision's return is tied to a potential reunion with Banner. 

While there has been no word yet about when White Vision may next appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but there are a couple of upcoming projects that he might be involved with. That includes Armor Wars or Ironheart, as both deal with the legacy of Iron Man. Considering Banner's ties to Stark as a friend, fellow hero, and collaborator, it isn't outside the realm of possibility that he is also in either of those Disney+ shows, especially with his Smart Hulk days seemingly behind him. 

More: Marvel's Post-Endgame Iron Man Plan Is Hurting The Avenger

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