There have been rumors about a solo Hulk project being in the works in the MCU, specifically World War Hulk, which makes sense given the number of Hulk allies and antagonists that have begun populating the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Liv Tyler will be returning to the MCU as Betty Ross. Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross will now be played by Harrison Ford. The Leader, one of the Hulk’s most notorious villains, is set to make his debut in the MCU as well. The Abomination still roams free (albeit reformed).
We also know that Hulk’s half-alien son Skaar exists in the MCU, making his debut in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Given that so many Hulk characters now populate the MCU, World War Hulk rumors have picked up some steam in the past few months.
While there is no official confirmation about this project, a fanmade treat has been making the rounds on the internet, causing fans to gain renewed interest in a World War Hulk project.
A fan-made concept trailer for World War Hulk has surfaced
A fan-made trailer, posted on YouTube has taken the internet by storm. Being a concept trailer for World War Hulk, the edited montage uses footage from Hulk properties in the past, including The Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Unlike the comic book event, the Hulk, and by extension Bruce Banner, becomes a fugitive from the law, after stealing vital assets from the US government.
The trailer goes to great lengths to involve other Hulk characters like She-Hulk and Betty Ross. Given that Liv Tyler‘s Betty Ross will be making an appearance along with her father in the MCU once again in Captain America: Brave New World, it must be noted that some iteration of World War Hulk could find its way into the MCU. While it is unlikely that the Hulk will receive a solo outing soon, as comments from Mark Ruffalo have indicated, the trailer has nonetheless gotten fans hyped to see the Hulk again.
World War Hulk will need to be twisted for the MCU
In the comics, World War Hulk was preceded by the Planet Hulk storyline, one that involved the Illuminati deciding to send Hulk off-world because he was too dangerous. After Hulk breaks down the ship, he crashlands on Sakaar, ruled by the Red King, who makes people fight in gladiatorial matches. After liberating the planet, Hulk even found love and raised a family, only for them to be killed by the detonation of the ship that brought him there, prompting him to come to Earth to slay its heroes, whom he deemed responsible.
Now, a lot of things happened differently in the MCU. To begin with, Hulk left the planet of his own volition and returned as a herald to Thanos’ invasion of the planet. Further, Hulk’s son is not dead, but a gladiator on Sakaar, who has been brought to Earth by the end of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
There is also the fact that Banner and Hulk have fused into one personality, giving us Smart Hulk. As things stand in the MCU, a World War Hulk-type event can only happen if Banner is blamed for some calamity, a la Captain America: Civil War or Spider-Man: No Way Home. Given that the Hulk already has somewhat of a dodgy reputation, he could be blamed for some gamma-based disaster, or be declared enemy of the state should something go missing.
