Avengers: Infinity War is one of the best Avengers films. The build-up was perfect and with the fate of the universe at risk, the stakes were higher than ever. The film brought several major characters of the MCU together such as Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and many more. The film ended with a cliffhanger and it was a massive success at the Box Office with a whopping collection of $2.795 billion.
However, the fans of The Hulk were not happy because even though Hulk was seen in the Avengers: Infinity War trailer, he was nowhere to be seen. Though Bruce Banner was present in the film and he was even a part of the battle in Wakanda wearing the Hulkbuster suit, Hulk did not want to play. Fans were disappointed and unhappy with the typical Marvel antic, however, Mark Ruffalo addressed the studio’s decision at Comic-Con.
Why was Hulk Omitted in Avengers: Infinity War?
Mark Ruffalo, who plays the role of Dr. Bruce Banner/ Hulk in the MCU, addressed the decision of the Marvel Studios with respect to Hulk’s story in Avengers: Infinity War, stating that “Hulk was supposed to come busting out of the Hulkbuster” in the film during the final battle at Wakanda, however, it was not working, and The Russo brothers realized that Hulk can not be here to save the day.
“It’s been amazing fun, and really challenging, and always surprising. Even to the point where we were shooting [Avengers:] Infinity War, and Hulk was supposed to come busting out of the Hulkbuster at the end. I don’t know if you know that. And we shot that. We shot it four times and it wasn’t working. And then, we realized that — well, the [Russo] brothers realized — that we couldn’t have Hulk, again, save the day. That we had to have Banner lose without Hulk.”
Mark Ruffalo explained that Hulk was a part of the script for two years but things had to be changed when the shooting took place so that the story would be more layered and the sequel of the film would have a stronger emotional impact on the fans of the movie.
“And that was the kind of thing where it was in the script one way for two years, and then when we got in to shoot it, we decided it would be better for the story if Hulk doesn’t show up, and Banner has to somehow try to make friends with him. (laughs) Get him back. But that’s kind of how these things have evolved and so they’re always surprising in some new way, even when you’re down to the very last moment, and you’re shooting the end of the movie, and you keep coming back.”
The actor explained that the scene took a year, and it looked right and went well with the story as there are so many storylines that they’re intertwining together in Avengers: Infinity War.
“I mean, we shot that scene like five times over the course of a year. Me, by myself, in the Hulkbuster. And yeah, we were always working on getting it right. And that’s been one of the differences of any other movie you shoot, is that we’re always kind of finding it as we go along. You have so many people, so many storylines that you’re trying to interweave together. And what Marvel does beautifully is, they’re really looking for is what’s going to have the greatest impact for you guys.”
Even though fans of the Hulk were disappointed that they were tricked by Marvel Studios, they would agree that Hulk’s absence in the movie made a stronger impact on the fans, and made Thanos look like a formidable villain in the Infinity saga.
Hulk was Nerfed by The Russo Brothers
When Hulk was shown in the Infinity War trailer, fans were optimistic that the big green monster would send The Mad Titan back to where he came from. However, fans complained after the Hulk was absent in the movie, and even though Hulk appeared in Avengers: Endgame, well Smart Hulk to be fair, it led to complaints because the brute was not the same anymore. In June 2022, the directors of both Avengers films stated that they nerfed the character.
Joe: “Oh, we nerfed the Hulk. We nerfed him. We just didn’t know what to do with him. We were like, ’What, this big powerful character. What we do with this big powerful character?”
Anthony: “Can you find out who wrote this question? I’d like to talk to them.”
Offscreen: “What would you say to them?”
Joe: “To say to people who think we nerfed the Hulk? He deserved it. Lots of controversial… Marvel fans responding.”
Despite the fans not liking the Smart Hulk character, Mark Ruffalo is on the same page as he will be reprising his role as Hulk in future Marvel movies, and rumors state that he will also be a part of Avengers: Secret Wars.
Also Read: Marvel’s World War Hulk Movie Reportedly Costing Disney a Gargantuan $10.7 Billion
Avengers: Infinity War can be streamed on Disney+.
Source: The Direct
