Warning: This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.
Julius Onah’s explanation for the Hulk’s absence fromCaptain America: Brave New Worldhas me even more disappointed that Bruce Banner didn’t appear, especially since theMCUsequel suffered because of his omission. While the Phase 5 movie wasn’t without its problems, I thought thatBrave New Worldwas a strong next step for Anthony Mackie’sSam Wilson on his journey as the MCU’s new Captain America. As well as exploring Sam Wilson’s personal transition into Captain America,Brave New Worldalso fit into the wider MCU continuity perfectly, but I wanted even more.
Captain America: Brave New Worldpitted Sam Wilson andDanny Ramirez’s Joaquín Torresnot only against the Serpent Society and the Leader, but also the Red Hulk, with Harrison Ford assuming the role for Thaddeus Ross' transformation into the villain. The inclusion of so many Hulk-related characters made me sure Mark Ruffalo would make an appearance inBrave New WorldasBruce Banner, the MCU’s original Hulk. I’m surprised this didn’t happen, andthe movie’s director’s comments don’t make the Hulk’s absence fromCaptain America: Brave New Worldany better.
Julius Onah Has Explained The Hulk’s Absence In Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World Needed To Be Sam Wilson’s Story
Mark Ruffalo was heavily speculated to be reprising his role ofBruce Banner inCaptain America: Brave New Worldgiven the sequel’s narrative, so his absence caused a stir among MCU audiences. In response,Brave New Worlddirector Julius Onah, during an interview withThe Playlist, revealed why the Hulk doesn’t make an appearance in the movie.Noting that including Banner would have meant"the focus shifts away from Sam,“Onah stresses the desire forBrave New Worldto truly be a Captain America movie, but I don’t think I agree with his comments.
Well, I think at the end of the day, and I’m happy it landed where it did—this is Sam’s story. This is Sam’s first cinematic adventure as Captain America. And you want it to be about Sam leaning into his superpower to overcome the odds. So, you pull in Banner—as great as Mark Ruffalo is and as exciting as it would be to have him—and suddenly, the focus shifts away from Sam. The conversation obviously came up, but ultimately, it felt like this wanted to be Sam’s film.
Bruce Banner hasn’t starred in a solo MCU moviesince 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, thanks to the distribution rights to the Hulk still residing with Universal Pictures. This means thatMark Ruffalo has only ever been able to appear as the Hulk in crossover movies and other heroes' projects, including theAvengersmovies,Iron Man 3,Thor: Ragnarok, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawand more.Captain America: Brave New Worldfit this brief, so it was a great opportunity to bring Bruce Banner back to the MCU, and I’m disappointed it didn’t.
Captain America: Brave New World Including The Hulk’s Supporting Characters Makes Bruce Banner’s Absence More Awkward
Sam Wilson Took On Hulk Villains In Captain America: Brave New World
I might be able to better understand Julius Onah’s comments ifCaptain America: Brave New Worldhadn’t pittedSam Wilson against a number of Hulk villainsand repeatedly referenced the events ofThe Incredible Hulk.Sam Wilson went up against Thaddeus Ross and Samuel Sterns inBrave New World, both of whom first appeared opposite the Hulk back in 2008, and have been intricately connected to his mythology since then.Brave New Worldeven featured a cameo appearance by Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross, Bruce Banner’s former romantic interest, so I just can’t figure out Onah’s explanation.
Captain America: Brave New Worldwas Sam Wilson’s own personal story even though the movie included several Hulk-related characters, and even marked the emergence of a new Hulk in the form ofThaddeus Ross' Red Hulk. The fact that so many Hulk-related characters appeared in the movie means that Bruce Banner’s absence makes less sense than if he had appeared.Banner must be aware of the return of the Leader and the emergence of the Red Hulk, which meansBrave New Worldomitting him is very awkwardas he prides himself on being an active superhero.
The Hulk Didn’t Make Thor: Ragnarok Any Less Of A Thor Movie
2017’s Ragnarok Was Still Very Much Thor’s Movie
As well as finding it weirder that Bruce Banner didn’t appear alongside some of his most iconic supporting characters,I also think that his inclusion inCaptain America: Brave New Worldwould not have distracted from Sam Wilson’s story at all, as Onah suggests. The perfect example of why is 2017’sThor: Ragnarok. Taika Waititi’s directorial MCU debut reinvigorated theThorfranchise with a then-welcome dose of comedy, and partneredChris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder with Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, both of whom had been absent during 2016’sCaptain America: Civil War.
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The Hulk’s inclusion inThor: Ragnarokdid not make the Phase 3 movie any less Thor’s story, and arguably actually enhanced Thor’s narrative, as well as helping to explain some huge questions that many had sinceAvengers: Age of Ultron. Hemsworth and Ruffalo bounced off each other brilliantly, and I would have loved to seen this dynamic translated for Ruffalo and Mackie, especially afterWhat If…?season 3 teased a friendship between the pair.Thor: Ragnarokwas made better and more connected to the MCU by Bruce Banner’s involvement, and I wanted the same forBrave New World.
I Think Bruce Banner’s Appearance Would Have Made Captain America: Brave New World Better
Captain America: Brave New World & The Hulk Could Have Both Benefited
Julius Onah might think that Bruce Banner’s inclusion inCaptain America: Brave New Worldwould have detracted from Sam Wilson’s story, but I actually think that the Hulk would have made the movie better.This would have established a clearer connection to the heroes of the wider MCU, rather than just focusing on Captain America and the new Falcon, and could have advanced the plot thread of Sam rebuilding the Avengers. I’m not even saying this needed to be a big role along the lines ofThor: Ragnarok, but a cameo appearance definitely would have sufficed.
After Captain America: Brave New World Didn’t Let Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk Fight Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk, We Need To See Him Face One Of These 10 Perfect Hulk Villains In His Next MCU Appearance
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk has yet to fight many of his own comic book villains in the MCU, but he could meet some of them in an upcoming movie or show.
Captain America: Brave New Worlditself revealed that this would have been the case, as thecameo appearance of Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barneswent down a treat.It was great to see the friendship between Wilson and Barnes develop, and I would have loved this for Wilson and BannerafterAvengers: EndgameandWhat If…?season 3. I consider it a huge shame that Bruce Banner was not included inCaptain America: Brave New World, especially since it’s unclear when he’ll return to the MCU.
