The Marvel Cinematic Universe has undergone numerous changes and developments over the years, evoking mixed responses from fans and critics. Some fans have revealed a genuine frustration with Marvel’s current approach to producing movies and shows that follow the same formula. Things were different when Avengers: Infinity War was released. Among the film’s multiple easter eggs, it now appears the film actually explained why Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk was unworthy of lifting the Mjolnir.
In 2018, Avengers: Infinity War left a historic mark on pop culture, with its heartbreaking and eye-popping ending and the anticipation it built for the follow-up film Avengers: Endgame. With Thanos winning at the end of the film, fans had to wait one whole year for a proper conclusion to the saga. That’s not all the film actually ended up showing.
Avengers: Infinity War Actually Showed Why Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk Wasn’t Worthy Of Lifting The Mjolnir
Bruce Banner’s struggle to balance science and morality has always been a central theme of his character. His inability to wield Mjolnir suggests deeper issues, and Avengers: Infinity War provides a potential explanation. In the film, the Hulk side of his persona chooses to hide after being defeated by Thanos, refusing to join the battle and help Banner fight alongside the Avengers.
Mark Ruffako’s Hulk’s choice to hide instead of joining the battle against Thanos during Avengers: Infinity War after being defeated was pretty much why he was deemed unworthy to hold Mjolnir. This decision stems from the Hulk putting his feelings and resentments first, feeling exploited by Banner and the Avengers for his strength. This selfishness likely contributed to why Banner couldn’t lift Mjolnir in Avengers: Age of Ultron. After all, it is evident that being a coward is not a quality of a warrior.
Did The Hulk Become Worthy Of Wielding The Mjolnir After Avengers: Infinity War?
In 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, Bruce Banner successfully merged his human and Hulk personas, giving rise to Smart Hulk. This transformation granted him the intelligence and personality of Banner combined with the permanent appearance and strength of the Hulk, albeit in a more human-sized form. This compromise more or less hinted at a contented coexistence between Hulk and Banner, raising the possibility that the Hulk had become worthy enough to wield Mjolnir finally.
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Another major moment in Avengers: Endgame supports the idea of Bruce Banner’s newfound worthiness. During the Time Heist, as the Avengers collected the six Infinity Stones from various points in the MCU’s history, Smart Hulk took on the responsibility of using the stones to undo Thanos’ snap from Avengers: Infinity War. This selfless act, similar to Tony Stark’s later sacrifice in the Battle of Earth at the end of the movie, could suggest that Banner has become a worthy wielder of Mjolnir, solidifying the agreement between him and the Hulk in Avengers: Endgame.
