The heavily rumored World War Hulk film may be an even more important MCU event than anyone realized, filling a major role in the Multiverse Saga.
Marvel Studios hasn’t announced The Incredible Hulk 2, but the MCU rumor mill has been swirling that an adaptation of the classic World War Hulk comics is on the way, potentially mirroring Captain America: Civil War. The as-yet-unannounced film would be the Hulk’s first starring role in the MCU since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton and, as a result, must be a watershed moment in the franchise. By adopting an essential Infinity Saga story, World War Hulk could define the Avengers’ narrative heading into Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
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The pieces are falling into place for the MCU’s adaptation of World War Hulk, a story by Greg Pak which follows the Hulk as he wages war against Earth, particularly the Illuminati, for sending him away into space and allegedly murdering his wife and unborn child. Leading an army of Sakaarans to his home planet, the Hulk quickly dispatches each of his former comrades and demands justice for their crimes. The iconic story remains one of the Hulk’s most significant arcs from his long history in Marvel Comics, as well as one of the most compelling potential adaptations for his next appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Civil War Was Essential To The Infinity Saga
Captain America: Civil War was essential to the Infinity Saga, leading to rumors that a Phase 6 film may echo Civil War‘s conflict for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The third Captain America film opened Phase 3 of the MCU, laying the groundwork for the Avengers’ upcoming battle with Thanos. Taking place two years before Avengers: Infinity War, Civil War saw the Avengers break apart after a very public falling out between Captain America and Iron Man. The Avengers were split down the middle, with some pledging their support to Tony Stark while others went underground with Steve Rogers, becoming fugitives of the law after refusing to sign the Sokovia Accords.
Taking place in such proximity to their most important battle in Infinity War, Civil War split the original Avengers just before Thanos’s arrival, with the Mad Titan catching Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at their weakest moment. Had the Avengers been united at the time of Thanos’s conquest, they might have stood a chance at stopping him. However, because they were distracted by bitter infighting and bruised egos, the Avengers found themselves defeated by their greatest enemy, barely managing to undo the Decimation in Avengers: Endgame. Therefore, without Civil War, the Infinity Saga would have looked very different, likely ending with Thanos defeated before he could ever wreak havoc on the universe.
All The Evidence That World War Hulk Is Coming To The MCU
Certain events and hints hidden throughout Phase 4 imply that the MCU is setting up World War Hulk for the final portion of the Multiverse Saga. Among the most compelling arguments for this future storyline is Bruce Banner’s ongoing arc in the MCU. After years of struggling with his greener half, Bruce has finally come to terms with the Hulk, merging into what has been dubbed Smart Hulk. The next logical step for Bruce’s character would be to lose everything he has worked so hard to build, losing control of the Hulk once more and watching as he goes on his biggest rampage yet, bringing destruction on a global scale.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law also hints at this storyline, with a Sakaaran subplot setting up World War Hulk for the MCU. In the series, it is revealed that Hulk has had some level of contact with Sakaar since leaving the planet during the events of Thor: Ragnarok. The Avenger travels to the distant world during She-Hulk‘s second episode, eventually returning in the season finale with his grown son, Skaar. While She-Hulk never explicitly suggests that the MCU is heading for World War Hulk, the evidence is all clearly laid out. With Sakaar back in the mix and Skaar introduced to the franchise, viewers are meant to anticipate such a storyline.
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The She-Hulk finale episode’s surprise introduction of the Hulk’s secret son Skaar could also act as a backdoor set-up for World War Hulk in the MCU, allowing the franchise to adapt the storyline without compromising Bruce Banner’s previous self-actualization. Like his father, Skaar struggles with his rage as a Hulk, leading him to go on several rampages and wreak utter destruction for anyone unfortunate enough to get in his way. The MCU may opt to use Skaar as the titular Hulk in World War Hulk, having this new character wage war on Earth while leaving his father with the difficult choice of whether to stop him.
Furthermore, it seems clear that the MCU is setting up Earth-616’s Illuminati for Phase 5 or 6. After the Illuminati’s appearance on Earth-838 during the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as well as recent and upcoming MCU introductions like Namor and Mister Fantastic, this clandestine council seems poised for an upcoming project. The Illuminati’s introduction is the biggest indicator of a World War Hulk storyline in the MCU, as it is this group that incites the incident leading to the Hulk’s rampage. Setting up the Illuminati finally gives World War Hulk its villains and implies that the storyline may be adapted for the MCU very soon.
How World War Hulk Can Copy Civil War’s Most Emotional Storyline
The events of Infinity War proved how tragic Civil War was for the Avengers, with their two most trusted leaders, Captain America and Tony Stark, unable to see eye-to-eye. After years of following their turbulent friendship, viewers were forced to watch as they struggled to defend Earth alone, ultimately failing in the end. An adaptation of World War Hulk could fulfill a similarly emotional story beat for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, forcing Avengers to once again take sides against one another in a global conflict that would leave their ranks divided and weaker than ever before. Once more, friendships would crumble under the weight of internal conflict.
The MCU’s World War Hulk requires a team to support the Hulk in his war against Earth, fighting against the other Avengers who either support the Illuminati or attempt to defend the innocents put in harm’s way by the ongoing assault. The original comic’s storyline saw certain heroes side with the Hulk, including the Champions, who were led by Hercules, a character recently introduced to the MCU. Likewise, the live-action adaptation should feature several heroes, possibly even other Avengers, who understand Hulk’s grievances, whatever they may be in this version, and choose to support his conquest. Doing so would inevitably split the Avengers apart just as they were once before.
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Several Hulks may appear in World War Hulk as Bruce Banner’s “Warbound,” including She-Hulk, Red-Hulk, and Skaar, all of whom have been set up in the MCU. Rounding out his team, however, could be several heroes who have been prominent Avengers in the past. Thor, for example, is one of the Hulk’s closest friends in the MCU, especially after the events of Ragnarok, and may feel obliged to aid his friend if his cause is just, likely bringing with him Asgard’s resources. Furthermore, other heroes who often feel ostracized by their world, including the Scarlet Witch, Bucky Barnes, and Moon Knight, may also join in the Hulk’s conquest of revenge.
While the MCU has moved away from team-ups, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will certainly reconvene in order to face the colossal threat of their former teammate’s attack. Inevitably, several of Hulk’s one-time friends will find themselves on the opposite side of the battle. Likely candidates to battle Hulk include anyone comprising Earth-616’s Illuminati, potentially consisting of characters like Doctor Strange, Namor, Mister Fantastic, and more. Likewise, certain devout Avengers like Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Hawkeye, Captain Marvel, and other major heroes will certainly feel obligated to defend Earth from the Hulk’s wrath.
How World War Hulk Will Affect Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
As the Multiverse Saga’s Thanos, Kang the Conqueror is certain to wreak havoc on the MCU after his arrival in the upcoming Phase 5 film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Played by Jonathan Majors, Kang is set up as the main villain of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and potentially Avengers: Secret Wars as well. However, like Thanos, Kang may find the Avengers utterly divided by the time he arrives to accomplish his nefarious goals. Should a World War Hulk film occur shortly before The Kang Dynasty, the Avengers will be found unprepared and distracted when Kang makes his move, setting the Conqueror up for an Infinity War-style victory.
Being responsible for the Avengers’ disarray at the time of Kang’s conquest also makes The Kang Dynasty very important for the Hulk, who will be forced to grapple with the fact that he may be at fault for the villain’s victory. Such a circumstance would put him at the forefront of The Kang Dynasty‘s emotional story beats, keeping the Hulk as a featured character in the fifth Avengers film. Should Kang indeed be the victor in his bout with the Avengers, there would be no denying that the World War Hulk event depicted in The Incredible Hulk 2 would be primarily responsible for the Avengers’ latest defeat.
