Summary
When Marvel Studios’Captain America: Brave New Worldhits theaters next year, it’ll bring with it the official introduction of Red Hulk to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character will be played by thelegendary Harrison Ford, who helped to unveil the first official look at his Hulk during Marvel Studios' Hall H panel during July’s San Diego Comic-Con. Red Hulk is one of many characters set to join Anthony Mackie’s Captain America on the big screen, alongside the likes of Joaquin Torres' Falcon, and the villainous Leader. However, if recent rumors are to be believed, the film is also set to feature one of the original Avengers.
Rumors have begun to suggest Mark Ruffalo will return as Bruce Banner for the film. An appearance by an original Avenger inCaptain America: Brave New Worldwouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Yet, an appearance by Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner could ultimately overshadow Mackie’s titular hero, who will finally get the chance to lead his own film.
Does Brave New World Need Bruce Banner?
When it comes to Bruce Banner, the Avenger is one of the few characters who hasn’t led a solo film. This is due to a complicated rights issue that makes it so he can appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but cannot appear in a standalone film because Universal technically has the distribution rights. Given this problem, Marvel Studios tends to have the character appear in other projects when it makes sense, allowing fans a chance to enjoy Ruffalo’s Hulk, and allowing the character to grow within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, without having to deal with the standalone film complications. However, while the inclusion of Bruce in other projects is fun for fans, it’s hard to imagineCaptain America: Brave New Worldwould truly benefit from the appearance of Bruce Banner. FollowingThe Falcon and the Winter Soldieron Disney+,Captain America: Brave New Worldis set to mark Mackie’s first time headlining his own film as Captain America. While the Disney+ series gave fans a small glimpse of the hero in action,Brave New Worldwill serve as the proper introduction to this new take on Captain America. Already set to appear in the film along with Cap are the new Falcon,Red Hulk, The Leader, Diamondback, Sabra, Betty Ross, andSidewinder.
While some of these characters are, admittedly, Hulk characters, and haven’t appeared sinceThe Incredible Hulk, it would be a mistake tobring Banner back for this film. Bringing in the Hulk, a character who is easily more powerful than Captain America, would overshadow Mackie’s hero. It would be a disservice to the story, and to Mackie’s leading man turn. So, while it might seem like a good idea to bring Banner back forBrave New World, the movie doesn’t honestly need him.
Why Banner’s Involvement Would be Wrong
Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has been a supporting character since his introduction inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. While fans loved Wilson, he was more like one of Captain’s go-to guys alongside Bucky. It wasn’t until he was given Cap’s shield at the end ofAvengers: Endgamethat the character finally got a chance to shine. WithThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the series briefly tackled what it was like for Wilson to attempt to fathom taking on the Captain America mantle and following in the footsteps of Steve Rogers. By the end, he was ready to take flight and be his own hero, even if he had reasonably complicated feelings about it all. WithCaptain America: Brave New World, Wilson is thrown fully into being Captain America. We know,thanks to the first trailer, that Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross has plans for Captain America, and Wilson ultimately has to decide what kind of hero he wants to be at the end of the day. Which is why it’s best to leave Bruce Banner out of the film. Mackie has already stated that his Captain America doesn’t have the serum that helped Rogers, so we know he already has that working against him. Seeing himfind a way to fight back, even with his disadvantages, is important to his character arc.
We saw Rogers, who did have some advantages thanks to thesuper soldier serum, struggle in his films. No matter how strong he was, he was never strong enough to win based on his strengths. It was more so about his perseverance. Allowing Wilson to adapt that mentality from Rogers would be a smart move, one that showcases a similarity between the two,despite their own heroic differences. Wilson is set to go up against a slew of powerful individuals, and Marvel Studios would be smart to let him win on his own merits, rather than bringing in help from an Avenger like Hulk.
Captain America: Brave New Worldis slated to hit theaters on February 14th, 2025.
