One of the biggest surprises in Captain America: Brave New World is Mark Ruffalo’s absence as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, despite his long-standing rivalry with Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. While Ross transforms into Red Hulk, many fans expected Bruce to appear, especially after Ruffalo seemingly confirmed his involvement. However, his absence ultimately serves the film’s narrative.
Why Fans Thought Mark Ruffalo Would Appear
During the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Ruffalo was asked whether he was in Brave New World. He enthusiastically answered “Yeah”, leading many to believe Hulk would have a role.
- Fans assumed Bruce Banner would fight Red Hulk.
- Hulk references are made throughout the movie.
- Other The Incredible Hulk characters like Betty Ross and Samuel Sterns appeared.
However, multiple sources later confirmed Ruffalo had misunderstood the question, thinking he was asked about Marvel’s upcoming slate of films, not Brave New World.
Ruffalo has a history of Marvel slip-ups, including:
- Accidentally live-streaming part of Thor: Ragnarok
- Spoiling major plot points in interviews
While his absence disappointed some fans, it wasn’t entirely surprising.
Why Brave New World Left Out Bruce Banner
Although it would have been exciting to see Hulk vs. Red Hulk, Brave New World wasn’t an action-heavy film—it was primarily a political thriller.
Key Reasons for Hulk’s Absence:
- Ross was trying to distance himself from his past actions.
- The Red Hulk transformation was a late-game twist.
- Bruce Banner’s presence would have shifted focus away from Sam Wilson.
The film wasn’t about a Hulk showdown; it was about Ross’ internal conflict.
Even though Bruce is mentioned multiple times, his presence wasn’t necessary for the story Brave New World was telling.
Would Hulk Have Made Sense in the Movie?
YES:
- His history with Ross would have added emotional weight.
- A Hulk vs. Red Hulk fight would have been an epic moment.
NO:
- The movie focused on Sam Wilson’s leadership and political intrigue.
- Ross’ transformation was a side plot, not the main conflict.
Ultimately, Captain America: Brave New World chose to focus on character development over spectacle, and Bruce Banner simply didn’t fit into that narrative.
