The excitement of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans has just reached new heights with the confirmation that Eric Bana, who played Bruce Banner/Hulk in Hulk (2003), will be returning to the big screen in the upcoming mega-production Avengers: Secret Wars . But the surprise doesn’t end there: it has also been revealed that the actor will not only play the green hero again, but his version of Hulk will have a dramatic turn by becoming one of the villains in the highly anticipated film World War Hulk .
Bana’s return as the Hulk is a significant event for the MCU, as the 2003 film, directed by Ang Lee, was not part of the saga we know today. Despite not being a huge success at the time, Bana’s Hulk is seen by many as a film that laid the groundwork for what the modern on-screen portrayal of the character would become. Bana’s role in the original film showed a much more introspective and emotional Hulk, a more complex version of the character compared to later portrayals, especially Mark Ruffalo’s version in The Avengers (2012) and the films that followed.
With Avengers: Secret Wars setting the stage for one of the biggest confrontations in MCU history, Bana’s inclusion is an unexpected move but one that could open doors to new dynamics between the saga’s characters. While it’s unclear how his version of Hulk will fit into the overall narrative, rumors indicate it will be an alternate version of the character, possibly from a parallel universe. The idea of having different versions of Hulk in the same film is not only exciting, but also offers the opportunity to explore a broader, multidimensional narrative for this beloved character.
What has surprised fans the most is that Bana will not only return as the hero we know, but he has also been assigned the role of a villain in World War Hulk . This film, which will probably be one of the most anticipated in the MCU, is inspired by the famous comic book saga that features a furious and devastating Hulk who returns to Earth to take revenge on those who have made him suffer. In the comics, World War Hulk shows an out-of-control Hulk facing off against Earth’s mightiest heroes, but this time it will be a version of him that will apparently become a villain. This transformation in Bana’s story promises to be one of the most interesting twists in the MCU.
Bana’s return and the idea of his version of the Hulk becoming a villain also raises many questions about how the plot will play out. Will we see a completely different Bruce Banner, with a darker, more twisted mindset? Or perhaps it’s an altered version of the character that emerges from the events of Secret Wars ? The possibilities are endless, and fans are eager to see how these pieces will connect into the overall MCU plot.
In addition to the excitement surrounding this news, there’s also a debate about the impact this return will have on the MCU as a whole. How will Bana’s Hulk integrate with the rest of the Marvel Universe, especially with Ruffalo as the main version of the character? The diversity of Hulk versions could be a key factor in future stories, exploring themes of identity, power, and the internal struggle that has always defined the character.
In conclusion, Eric Bana’s return as Hulk in Avengers: Secret Wars and World War Hulk is news that promises to change the dynamics of the MCU. While many fans are excited about the possibility of seeing a more complex version of the character, there is also great anticipation for the portrayal of the villainous Hulk. Without a doubt, these upcoming films will be crucial for the future of the MCU and how the stories of some of the saga’s most iconic characters will develop.
