The Marvel Cinematic Universe is poised to reintroduce the classic "Savage Hulk" in the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, marking the first significant appearance of the character's original persona in approximately nine years. This iteration of the Hulk, known for his raw power and limited dialogue, was last prominently featured in 2017's Thor: Ragnarok.
Following his exile from Earth in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the Hulk found a new life as a gladiator on the alien world of Sakaar. However, his tenure as the formidable, if somewhat unrefined, warrior came to an abrupt halt in Avengers: Infinity War. In a rare on-screen defeat, Thanos bested the Hulk, leaving him traumatized and unwilling to emerge for the remainder of the film. This led to Bruce Banner utilizing the Hulkbuster armor for combat, a situation that played a role in the Battle of Wakanda.
The subsequent five years saw Bruce Banner integrate his personalities to become "Smart Hulk," a transformation facilitated by Stark Industries funding and a Hulk Inhibitor Device. This new status quo, where Banner maintained control and a more intellectual demeanor, persisted through Avengers: Endgame and into films like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as the She-Hulk series.
However, with the events leading up to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it appears Banner has deactivated his inhibitor device. A warning from Banner to Peter Parker in a trailer states, "If you see me with this off, run," signaling a return to his more volatile form. This shift could reintroduce the potential for widespread destruction associated with the Hulk's rampages, a stark contrast to "Smart Hulk's" more controlled public persona. The last major public incident involving the Hulk in the MCU timeline was the Battle of Sokovia, which occurred roughly 13 years prior to Brand New Day.
The return of the Savage Hulk sets the stage for a long-awaited cinematic confrontation between Spider-Man and the Hulk, a classic pairing from Marvel's comic history. As Peter Parker's powers are reportedly evolving and Bruce Banner's inhibitor is offline, the film is expected to deliver a rendition of one of the comics' most iconic battles.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release on July 31.