World War Hulk Means The MCU Can Finally Use The Real Hulk Again

A World War Hulk movie would lend Marvel a perfect opportunity to use the real Hulk again. Over the years, the Green Goliath has made a handful of appearances in MCU movies, but the definitive version of the character from Marvel Comics has only been featured in one movie. Thus far, Thor: Ragnarok stands out as the only film to use the classic Hulk that fans know from the comic books.

The Hulk personality didn’t even have a role in the last Avengers film, which was Endgame. Instead of being involved in the action, the Hulk’s body was occupied by Banner’s consciousness. This was implied to be a long-term – if not permanent – change, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, as indicated by Banner’s human appearance in Shang-Chi. Most recently, there’s been a report that Marvel intends to make a World War Hulk movie. Supposedly, shooting for the first Hulk-focused MCU movie since 2008 will begin as early as 2022, which means that the film might actually release in 2023 or early 2024.

If it’s true that World War Hulk is in development, the movie could mark the return of the traditional Hulk. In fact, this is the sort of story that fits that particular version of the character. For an adaptation of an event like “World War Hulk”, the MCU needs Thor: Ragnarok’s child-like take on the hero, and not the silent one that fought the Abomination or helped the Avengers beat Loki and Ultron. The entire concept of World War Hulk revolves around Hulk feeling betrayed by his friends and declaring war against them. A story like this could greatly benefit from a comic accurate Hulk, which is what Thor: Ragnarok ultimately created with the Jade Giant.

Unlike Ragnarok, his other movies sometimes buried his personality and childish tendencies, but World War Hulk would have good reason for bringing them out again and making them focal points of the story. Like his comic counterpart, Ragnarok’s Hulk had real feelings, and was occasionally upset and offended by insensitive comments made by Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Hulk’s resentment toward Banner, desire to have friends, and his opinion that people prefer Banner over him all factored into the movie, and could additionally play roles in his war against humanity and the heroes of the MCU in World War Hulk. That would make sense, considering that none seemed to have a problem with him being repressed by Banner for several years.

As noted above, emotions that would drive Hulk’s crusade in World War Hulk were all present in Ragnarok, but they actually originated with his classic comic persona. They’re a big part of who he is, and why he’d feel like was stabbed in the back and abandoned by the Avengers. Plus, the overwhelming anger these feelings could lead to could result in the MCU playing up his reputation as “the strongest one there is”. He isn’t currently thought to be the MCU’s most powerful hero, but that perception could be altered by World War Hulk.

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