Captain America: Brave New World Leaves Hulk Out of Key Battles

LOS ANGELES, CA — In the newly released Captain America: Brave New World, the film serves as not only a continuation of the Captain America story but also a follow-up to various entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, The Incredible Hulk, and, to a lesser extent, Eternals.

While the film features characters like Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross and Samuel Sterns, Bruce Banner, the Hulk himself, is notably absent. Director Julius Onah explained this decision, emphasizing the importance of allowing Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, to take center stage during the film’s climax.

If Bruce Banner appeared to assist in the final battle, Onah believes it would have overshadowed Wilson’s character. “If Hulk came in to tussle with Red Hulk, then Sam Wilson would have been pushed to the sidelines,” Onah said. “Why make a Captain America movie if Captain America isn’t the one to defeat the final boss?”

The film showcases Wilson’s ingenuity, using his skills and Wakandan technology in his wingsuit to ultimately tire out Red Hulk, reverting Ross back to his civilian form. This narrative choice not only enhances Wilson’s character arc but also adds a layer of ingenuity to the battle that may not have been possible with Hulk’s involvement.

Despite the absence of Bruce Banner, fans expressed desire for Mark Ruffalo, who has portrayed the character since The Avengers, to reunite with characters from The Incredible Hulk. Some hope that potential future projects can explore Bruce’s relationships, especially with Betty Ross and Samuel Sterns, who is set up for further development.

“It would be great to see Bruce reunite with Betty, learn what happened to Sterns, and either reconcile or confront Thunderbolt Ross in his Red Hulk form,” said a fan. “That would add emotional stakes to the story.”

Fans recently got a glimpse of this dynamic in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, where Bruce had a brief encounter with Emil Blonsky, a.k.a. The Abomination. However, many feel this was not enough to satisfy their yearning to see Bruce fully integrated into the current MCU storyline.

As Captain America: Brave New World continues to draw audiences in theaters, viewers can revisit previous MCU appearances of Sam Wilson and Bruce Banner to catch up on their journeys.

Adam, a senior content producer at CinemaBlend who specializes in comic book films, noted, “The future looks bright for the MCU, and fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next, especially with characters like Bruce Banner and Thunderbolt Ross.”

As Marvel teases more projects for the MCU, many are hopeful for the confirmation of future narratives that include the Hulk, further enriching the universe.