Marvel Studios had a great opportunity to bring Bruce Banner’s Hulk back to the MCU in What If…? season 3, but 2025’s upcoming Captain America: Brave New World might miss that chance.
Bruce Banner has been an important part of the MCU since his first appearance in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and Mark Ruffalo has taken the character to new levels, especially when he became Smart Hulk in Avengers: Endgame. In the Multiverse Saga, the Hulk still plays a key role, which makes it strange that Marvel Studios seems to have put the original Avenger on the sidelines.
After becoming Smart Hulk, Mark Ruffalo has appeared as Bruce Banner in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. He has also played an important part in the development of Marvel Animation’s What If…? series, appearing in multiple episodes across all three seasons of the show.
In his most recent appearance on What If…?, Bruce Banner formed a significant friendship, but his absence from one upcoming live-action film makes his role in the MCU even more noticeable and puzzling.
Bruce Banner’s absence from Captain America: Brave New World doesn’t make sense
After appearing in several projects during the Multiverse Saga, most recently What If…? season 3, it would make sense for Bruce Banner to show up in 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World.
This Phase 5 movie focuses on Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, but it also includes several characters related to the Hulk, some of whom are returning to the MCU after nearly two decades. Liv Tyler is coming back as Betty Ross, and Tim Blake Nelson will reprise his role as Samuel Sterns, now turned into the supervillain, the Leader.
The MCU has made Hulk’s 2025 return more criticalIn addition to these well-known Hulk-related characters, Thaddeus Ross will also appear in Captain America: Brave New World. Harrison Ford will take over the role from the late William Hurt. Ross will become the Red Hulk in the movie, making Bruce Banner’s absence even more puzzling.
There have been rumors that Mark Ruffalo might appear in the film, but neither Ruffalo nor Marvel Studios have confirmed this. However, What If…? season 3 might have made this possibility even more likely.
What If…? Partnered Sam Wilson With Bruce Banner
Although they haven’t interacted much in the live-action MCU, What If…? season 3’s premiere, “What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?,” made the friendship between Bruce Banner and Sam Wilson very important.
Sam Wilson’s experience with PTSD and trauma as an Air Force veteran makes him a great ally and confidant to Bruce Banner. Banner struggles with balancing his human side and Hulk side, as well as the damage he causes. This was a touching addition to What If…?, and it could easily be brought into live-action.
While Mark Ruffalo hasn’t been confirmed to appear in the cast of Captain America: Brave New World yet, the events of What If…? season 3 have shown that his inclusion would be a great idea.
This would not only add meaning to the reintroductions of Thaddeus Ross, Samuel Sterns, and Betty Ross, but it could also give Banner a chance to get some advice from Sam Wilson. This could set them up to become good friends and stronger heroes in the MCU’s upcoming crossover events.