Summary
Hulk only had a brief cameo inDeadpool & Wolverine, but his appearance raises a big issue that theMCUneeds to address. The character of Bruce Banner has been through the wringer withHulk actor changesand a lack of solo film. He manages to be one of the few remaining original Avengers still active somewhere in the MCU, but a crucial change to his character will have to be made if Marvel wants to continue with him going forward.
InAvengers: Infinity War, Bruce Banner’s Hulk persona was scared to emerge after being defeated by Thanos early on. Bruce had to go into the Battle of Wakanda without the Hulk, so the character had a lot to reflect on in the aftermath. This resulted in the debut of Smart Hulk inEndgame, as Bruce learned to merge his consciousness with the Hulk’s body.He is currently still in his Smart Hulk form in the MCU, but hisDeadpool & Wolverinecameogives reason for the studio to finally change him back.
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Deadpool & Wolverine quite literally has over 100 different Easter eggs, references, and cameos galore. Here are all the ones we found.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hulk Vs Wolverine Fight Shows The Unused Potential Of The Hulk
Hulk Is Just One Of Many Cameos InDeadpool & Wolverine
At one point, while Wade is looking for a Logan variant in the multiverse, he mentions that the Wolverine suit he is wearing is the one that he fought the Hulk in. The Hulk then appears in the reflection of Wolverine’s claws, then behind Deadpool before he punches Wade and sends him flying.Deadpool & Wolverinefeatured many huge cameos, so Hulk’s flew a little under the radar, but it still garnered a significant amount of hype. In the film,the Hulk is notably in his original rage-fuelled form and not in his Smart Hulk persona.
Even though theHulk has been present in the MCU for yearsat this point,there is still so much potential for the green rage monster character that Marvel hasn’t explored yet. Since the Hulk can’t have a solo film in the MCU, his development depends on other projects. Bruce spent all ofAvengers: EndgameandShe-Hulkas the Smart Hulk and the change to the character had already gotten mixed reception. However, hisDeadpool & Wolverinecameo is a reminder of how great the Hulk is in his original form.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Hulk Cameo Hype Shows The MCU Can Still Redeem His Story
There Is Still Interest Among Fans For The Hulk
Fans were excited to see the Hulk in his original rage form inDeadpool & Wolverine, even if it was only for a brief moment. His cameo proves thatthere is still enough interest in the Hulk characterthat the MCU should take advantage of going forward. However, if they do continue featuring the Hulk in future projects, Marvel needs to redeem his story. Fans will likely only be interested in the character if he reverts from his Smart Hulk persona so that they can see both Bruce Banner and the rage Hulk once again.
There are definitely some upcoming projects where the MCU can revert their Hulk decision, so Marvel doesn’t have an excuse as to why they can’t. Especially with the upcoming introduction ofThaddeus Ross' Red Hulk, Bruce’s rage Hulk is needed more than ever.If Marvel does redeem Hulk’s story, they just have to ensure that it is on-screen. One of the biggest criticisms of Smart Hulk was that his transformation happened off-screen betweenInfinity WarandEndgame, and this mistake can’t happen again if Marvel does revert the change.
Avengers 5 & 6 Are The Perfect Places To Revert Smart Hulk Into The Hulk
Hulk Would Fit Seamlessly Into An Avengers Ensemble Cast
The MCU has a perfect place to revert the Smart Hulk to the original Hulk, and that is in either of the upcomingAvengersfilms. Although he may not play as big of a role inAvengers 5and6as he had in pastAvengersfilms,Bruce will undoubtedly be an important presence as a mentor to the new generation of Avengers. ThoughDoomsdayandSecret Warsare said not to be led by any one individual, either film could still dedicate a few scenes to the Hulk’s transformation considering his legacy in the MCU.
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The upcomingAvengersfilms are the perfect place for Marvel to revert their Hulk changeas it will be the biggest MCU fight yet, which means that every hero will have to be in their strongest form. Hulk’sDeadpool & Wolverinecameo proves that there is still interest in a Hulk story, but it would have to be in the rage Hulk form. It’s been too long since Bruce Banner and the original Hulk have been in the MCU, andDeadpool & Wolverinemay just be the reminder that Marvel needs about the character’s full potential.
