While the Hulk has been an integral part of the MCU, the character has not been able to receive the love and attention that he deserves thanks to his messed up distribution rights, which bar him from being a lead in a show without Disney having to split profits with Universal Studios. It is for this very reason that we have not received a solo Hulk project since the Incredible Hulk., all the way back in Phase 1. However, the world of The Hulk is not limited to the Jolly Green Giant alone, and there are rumors that Marvel wants to capitalize on this fact as well.
The internet has been rife with rumors about Marvel wanting to do a World War Hulk project, and a Wolverine vs. Hulk project already being in development over at the studio. However, these seem to be too big to be tackled in the time that is left between now and Secret Wars, and could really benefit from a more united MCU, with all the superhero factions existing in the same universe, as is expected to be the case after Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Wars could bring back Savage Hulk!
Given that Robert Downey Jr.‘s Doctor Doom will be wearing the face of Tony Stark, and given the connection that Bruce and Tony had, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Banner will get angry enough to unleash Savage Hulk. However, given that the version of the Gamma Giant has been suppressed for so long, it is possible that Banner has a tough time controlling him, disappearing in the wake of Secret Wars.
This would set the stage for a World War Hulk-type scenario, which could be a story with Skaar, Thunderbolt Ross, Betty Ross, or even She-Hulk as the protagonist. By this time, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four might also establish some sort of connection with the mainline MCU, either jumping in to be permanent residents of the Sacred Timeline or having their respective universes be reorganized as a part of the MCU.
This would allow characters like Wolverine and Ben Grimm to be part of the task force looking for Hulk, which could give us some of The Hulk’s best fights from the comics.
Perhaps it is time for Marvel to re-unite the original Trinity from its comics
Before the Avengers became a household name, and Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America were cast as the protagonists of the MCU, Marvel had a very different trinity that fans were familiar with. Hulk, Spider-Man, and Wolverine were considered to be some of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe.
Given that Wolverine is now back with Marvel Studios, and Spider-Man seems to be sticking around for quite sometime, The Hulk can join the duo to reform the core of the MCU, much like the Infinity Saga.
It was reported that before Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Spider-Man were being considered to be the next main trio of the MCU. However, since those fans have fallen apart, Hulk, Spider-Man, and Wolverine could be at the forefront of the franchise as its protagonists, who could lead the MCU out of the Multiverse Saga and into the next overarching story.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to release on May 1st, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars will be released on May 7th, 2027
