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8 Hulk Plotlines That Went Nowhere in the MCU

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Over time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has left several storylines involving the character Hulk incomplete or unresolved, with some plots simply going nowhere. Despite Bruce Banner being a key Avenger, numerous plot points related to his character from various MCU installments have either been abruptly ended or subtly forgotten. This includes relationships that petered out off-screen and character introductions leading to dead ends, making the Hulk’s cinematic journey seem more disjointed compared to most Marvel superheroes.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Bruce Banner’s character progression is unlike that of other Avengers. Due to Universal Pictures maintaining distribution rights for solo Hulk films, Marvel Studios has shied away from producing such movies since 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk.” This situation compelled Banner’s growth to transpire across various films like “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Endgame.” As a result, several storylines initiated in his solo film or subsequent appearances were either wrapped up off-screen or overlooked. “Captain America: Brave New World” partially addressed these issues, but many Hulk plot threads still linger unresolved.

8. Bruce Banner Seeks A Cure

The Incredible Hulk

In “The Incredible Hulk,” the primary driving force behind Bruce Banner’s character is his relentless quest to free himself from the Hulk. Throughout the movie, he tirelessly explores various methods and even seeks help from Mr. Blue (later identified as Samuel Sterns), all in an attempt to discover a remedy. This intense desire fuels his character and forms a crucial aspect of his inner turmoil. However, after “The Incredible Hulk,” the pursuit of a cure is seemingly dropped without any clear reason.

In The Avengers (2012), Bruce, upon his return, seems to have come to terms with his dual persona to an extent, without any further hints of a pursuit for a cure. Later movies depict Bruce struggling to harmonize the two sides of him, particularly when Smart Hulk surfaces. However, his original goal of finding a cure is left unresolved, as the MCU increasingly concentrates on team dynamics and grand crossover plots, leaving this significant aspect of Bruce’s character somewhat incomplete.

7. Bruce Meets Doc Samson

The Incredible Hulk

In “The Incredible Hulk”, the introduction of Dr. Leonard Samson, played by Ty Burrell, subtly hinted at a more comprehensive examination of Hulk’s associates. Known in the comics as Doc Samson, who is characterized by his gamma-induced abilities, flowing green hair, and formidable strength, this character in the film was instead portrayed as Betty Ross’s new partner, a gentle psychiatrist worried about Bruce’s reappearance.

Despite his significant comic book reputation, Samson’s part in the movie was minimal and underdeveloped, leading many to speculate that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was setting up his growth or increased role in future films. However, Samson never reappeared in any subsequent MCU film, nor was he ever mentioned again. Consequently, potential storylines involving him as a rival, ally, or gamma experiment remained unexplored. This potential narrative thread, unfortunately, became a casualty of the MCU’s choice to distance itself from the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk” and its distinctive cast of characters.

6. Bruce And Natasha’s Romance

Avengers: Age Of Ultron

In an unexpected turn of events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the blossoming romance between Bruce Banner (the Hulk) and Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) was introduced. This relationship, which unfolded in the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron, served as a subplot that added emotional layers to both characters. Natasha assisted Bruce in calming down and transforming back into his human form, hinting at a profound emotional bond between them. There was even a plan for them to escape together post-Sokovia. This emotional connection between the two characters is suggested throughout their interactions.

The narrative about their relationship seems to abruptly end post-“Age of Ultron.” When Bruce reappears on Earth in “Avengers: Infinity War,” their reunion is awkward and not given much attention. Their relationship isn’t explored again in “Endgame,” yet Hulk’s sorrow over her death adds a profound emotional depth to the character, underscoring one of the most notable unresolved aspects in Hulk’s Marvel Cinematic Universe journey.

5. Hulk Introduces His Son Skaar

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law

In the grand finale of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, I found myself utterly astonished by an unexpected twist: suddenly, Bruce Banner appeared, accompanied by his fully grown son, Skaar. This sudden appearance, which felt like a humorous aside, has left many of us scratching our heads, as it has sparked numerous unanswered questions. Mainly, it rekindles curiosity about Hulk’s time on Sakaar, a tale that still remains shrouded in mystery.

Instead of developing a deep and substantial new Hulk storyline, the revelation was handled as a humorous twist in a light sitcom style, leaving it without much depth. Since then, there has been no further mention of Skaar within the MCU, but many fans speculate that he could join the Young Avengers team in the future. Given his significance in the comics, this brief appearance seems more like an amusing gag than a setup, making it one of the most puzzling abandoned Hulk arcs in the MCU.

4. Bruce’s Love For Betty Ross

The Incredible Hulk

2008’s “The Incredible Hulk” featured Bruce Banner’s poignant love story with Betty Ross as a key emotional element. Portrayed by Liv Tyler, Betty served not only as Bruce’s confidante but also his moral guide, recognizing the humanity within the monster. This relationship infused emotional complexity into the Hulk’s narrative and was intended to be a recurring theme. Regrettably, after that movie, Betty Ross disappeared entirely from the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline until “Captain America: Brave New World”.

Although Bruce has been featured in numerous significant Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, Betty is never mentioned, not even in passing dialogue. This omission stands out all the more given that her father, General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, resurfaces in Captain America: Civil War. However, should Betty make a comeback post-Brave New World and pay a visit to her incarcerated father, there’s potential for the MCU to bring together these old sweethearts in a future endeavor. Yet, the prolonged silence spanning over a decade leaves this as one of the MCU’s most enduring unresolved storylines.

3. General Ross Hunts The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

Initially, General Thaddeus Ross was characterized by his relentless hunt for the Hulk. In “The Incredible Hulk”, Ross wasn’t simply a military man; he was more like a single-minded avenger, ready to risk lives and principles to capture and exploit the Hulk. This ongoing conflict appeared to be the main focus of Bruce Banner’s journey in the MCU. However, following that film, the dispute between them is rarely revisited in any significant way. When Ross reappears in “Captain America: Civil War”, he has mysteriously moved into an administrative position, focusing on the Sokovia Accords and largely setting aside his obsession with the Hulk.

In a rather unusual turn of events, Ross and Banner find themselves in a temporary alliance in later movies, despite their complex history. This sudden change overlooks decades of underlying friction between them. What could have been a richly developed narrative of mutual suspicion blossoming into reluctant admiration instead transforms into an unspoken peace, diminishing one of the MCU’s most intriguing adversarial relationships.

2. Hulk And Bruce Have Relationship Problems

Avengers: Infinity War

One of the most captivating hints within the Marvel Cinematic Universe emerged during “Avengers: Infinity War,” when Hulk declined to appear during combat, causing Bruce Banner to battle without him. This implied a deep internal struggle between the two personalities – a theme that the comics and “The Incredible Hulk” animated series handled exceptionally well. The battle for supremacy between Hulk and Banner could have resulted in a compelling narrative arc focusing on identity, trauma, and cohabitation; however, this conflict was overlooked instead.

In “Avengers: Endgame,” Banner casually discloses he’s combined with the Hulk to become “Smart Hulk,” effectively resolving their conflicts in a manner largely unseen on-screen. This could have been an intriguing, character-focused transformation, but instead, it was condensed into a brief conversation, denying viewers the emotional depth and release that made the Hulk captivating. The decision to bypass this narrative arc is considered one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s major missed chances, given the strong hints dropped earlier about this development.

1. Bruce Designs The Hulk Inhibitor

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

At the end of the movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” we find Bruce Banner in human form, his arm bandaged due to using the Infinity Gauntlet. Interestingly, he’s wearing a high-tech gadget on his wrist, which turns out to be a Hulk inhibitor, enabling him to control his transformation into the Hulk. This intriguing detail hints at upcoming developments in Hulk technology and a richer exploration of the character’s lore.

In the premiere episode of She-Hulk, an inhibitor device was swiftly presented and then just as swiftly destroyed, leaving no follow-up or clarification. This destruction appeared to have little impact on the storyline other than providing a brief return for Bruce to Hulk form. Since then, this inhibitor has been neglected, causing speculation as to its purpose: why introduce it if not to delve into Banner’s growing mastery over Hulk or offer a more fragile portrayal of the character? Its potential to develop these aspects was abandoned instead.

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2025-05-22 18:34

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