The Hulk has been repeatedly sidelined in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but there are some options to bring him back into the limelight. Hulk remains one of the MCU timeline’s most iconic characters, yet his role has steadily shifted from central Avenger to supporting player. With years having passed since his last major storyline, audiences are eager to see the Green Goliath reclaim a leading spot in the franchise.
Thankfully, the comics offer a huge range of compelling directions Marvel Studios could take. Many of these could meaningfully expand Hulk’s mythology while evolving Bruce Banner’s personal journey. Bringing Hulk back into the spotlight doesn’t just mean smashing things again; it means exploring the complex emotional, psychological, and cosmic layers that make the character so enduring.
Hulk has always been a hero defined by struggle, identity, and transformation. As the MCU moves into its next era, these themes could naturally tie into ongoing Multiverse narratives or upcoming team-up films. Whether through a solo movie, a Disney+ series, or a major crossover, Hulk’s future could be brighter, and angrier, than ever.
The Incredible Hulk 2
A direct sequel to The Incredible Hulk has been missing from the MCU for over 15 years. This is largely due to complex distribution rights with Universal Pictures, which requires any Hulk movie to be a collaboration. Many people, including Mark Ruffalo, have stated that this seems too complex to surmount.
However, Marvel previously achieved a joint venture with Sony and the Spider-Man movies, so it’s not out of the question.The Incredible Hulk 2 could even take much greater liberties and explore Hulk’s life now, rather than be hamstrung by continuing leftover narratives. It could also explore some of the unintended consequences of Hulk’s destruction.
Many of these have been resolved in Captain America: Brave New World, which continued Hulk’s narrative without him. A sequel could also allow Hulk to reclaim the raw, monstrous energy that defined his debut. Especially now that so many other gamma characters have been introduced, The Incredible Hulk 2 could be a huge addition.
Make Maestro a Saga Villain
Maestro is an older, tyrannical, hyper-intelligent version of the Hulk from a post-apocalyptic future. He stands as one of Marvel’s most compelling villains. Bringing him into the MCU would not only elevate Hulk’s importance but also provide the franchise with a terrifying new big bad capable of carrying an entire saga.
Maestro’s existence lets the MCU explore a future where Hulk loses both morality and control, becoming the very thing he fears. Introducing Maestro could also deepen Bruce Banner’s internal conflict. Facing a villain who is literally his darkest potential would force Bruce to confront everything he’s tried to suppress.
This kind of story offers rich psychological drama balanced with massive action. Whether as the main antagonist of an Avengers film or a multiverse-spanning Disney+ event, Maestro could give Hulk a saga-level role that’s equal parts emotional and catastrophic. He would be a perfect way to reignite the character’s narrative significance.
Have Hulk Mentor Skaar And The Young Avengers
Skaar’s surprise introduction in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was one of the most shocking developments in Hulk’s story. Instead of focusing solely on Bruce’s internal struggle, the MCU could now explore his evolving role as a father and mentor. A storyline where Hulk trains Skaar to control his power and humanity would bring emotional depth.
It would also position Hulk as a guiding figure for the next generation. This mentoring could naturally extend to the Young Avengers. Characters like America Chavez, Kate Bishop, Ms. Marvel, and Kid Loki could benefit from Bruce’s unique experience navigating trauma, identity, and responsibility.
Hulk could serve as the team’s older advisor. This direction humanizes Hulk while keeping him central to future team-ups. It also offers a refreshing shift for Bruce Banner: from isolated wanderer to a leader shaping the MCU’s future heroes. With Hulk himself forging his own personality, seeing him as a fierce protector of his wards would be a compelling evolution.
A Gamma Wars Adaptation
A “Gamma Wars” storyline would bring together nearly every gamma-powered character in the MCU. With the Leader’s return, She-Hulk established, and Skaar introduced, the ingredients are already in place. This arc could explore how gamma mutations have evolved over time and why they continue to appear across the MCU.
A full-scale gamma conflict would allow Hulk to take center stage in an explosive, emotional action story. Bruce could find himself balancing alliances with She-Hulk and Skaar while facing enemies like the Leader, Abomination, or Red Hulk. It could create one of the MCU’s most unique ensemble clashes.
“Gamma Wars” also opens the door to deeper exploration of gamma science, political ramifications, and the ethics of superhuman experimentation. This could give Hulk a large-scale event worthy of his legacy. It could also allow for a greater exploration of Hulk lore, such as the Green Doors and One Below All, elements that have been notably missing from the MCU.
A Solo Series Depicting Hulk’s Time On Sakaar
One of the skipped-over narratives in the MCU remains Hulk’s missing years on Sakaar. As revealed in Thor: Ragnarok, he crash-landed on the planet and became a gladiatorial legend, and at some point fathered a child. A solo series (or special presentation) could finally reveal what he did as the Grandmaster’s champion and who Skaar’s mother is.
This would showcase a version of Hulk who was fully in control, fully confident, and living without Bruce Banner’s influence. Exploring this period would reveal new allies, rivals, battles, and emotional struggles. Audiences could see how Hulk developed speech, formed relationships, and defeated the other iconic champions.
The tone could blend Gladiator, Thor: Ragnarok, and space-opera energy, offering something wholly unique in the MCU. A Sakaar-focused project would not only expand cosmic lore but also deepen Hulk’s characterization by showing a side of him viewers only heard referenced in passing. It’s an essential story that shaped his modern identity and is begging for an adaptation.
Explore Bruce’s Fractured Psyche
The Hulk mythos has always been rooted in Bruce Banner’s psychological trauma. The MCU briefly touched on this, but never fully explored the internal mindscape where different Hulk personas struggle for dominance. A project focusing on Bruce’s fractured psyche could finally bring that complexity to the forefront.
This story could take inspiration from “Immortal Hulk,” “Hulk: Gray,” or the classic “Bruce inside Hulk’s mind” visuals. Seeing multiple personas (Bruce, Hulk, Smart Hulk, Devil Hulk) battle for control would allow for a deeper, more horror-tinged exploration of identity. It would finally give Hulk the depth that he enjoys in the comics.
Such a storyline gives Hulk fresh emotional depth while acknowledging his darker comic origins. It would also set up new personas for future films, creating narrative opportunities far beyond the standard Hulk smash formula. Perhaps the best way to achieve this could be by introducing other classic Hulk personas from the comics.
Introduce the Grey Hulk
Grey Hulk, or “Joe Fixit,” is one of Bruce Banner’s most iconic alternate personas. He’s not as strong as the green Hulk, but far smarter, more cunning, and morally ambiguous. Introducing the Grey Hulk would allow the MCU to expand Bruce’s personality spectrum in a visually and tonally fresh direction.
Technically, Grey Hulk is the original Hulk that Banner transformed into before Marvel switched to the iconic green skin. In the years since, he’s been retconned as one of Banner’s distinct personalities. This persona operates as a Las Vegas enforcer in the comics, which could translate into a crime-driven, noir-style storyline unlike anything in the MCU so far.
Bruce transforming into a sarcastic, morally flexible Grey Hulk would give Mark Ruffalo the chance to explore new comedic and dramatic territory. Grey Hulk also lays the groundwork for future transformations. He’s a perfect bridge for bringing Hulk back to the spotlight while diversifying his on-screen personas.
Make a Hulk Vs. Wolverine Movie
Audiences have waited decades for a live-action Hulk vs. Wolverine showdown, and the MCU is finally in a position to deliver it. Their first encounter in the comics is legendary, as are many of their subsequent bouts. Adapting it for the MCU would instantly put Hulk back at the center of a massive cinematic event.
The potential for a Hulk vs Wolverine movie was teased in Deadpool & Wolverine, which only whetted appetites for an all-out battle. With Wolverine and the X-Men firmly within the MCU’s remit, a confrontation could finally happen. This film could mix brutal action with emotional stakes as Bruce confronts a rival who matches his ferocity and resilience.
Wolverine’s introduction would also tie Hulk into the X-Men saga, allowing both characters to benefit from crossover excitement. A Hulk vs. Wolverine storyline wouldn’t just be a spectacle – it would give Bruce a fresh narrative challenge, force him to regain his edge, and reestablish Hulk as one of the MCU’s most formidable heroes.
