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Summary
Avengers: Endgamecontinues to be the gold standard for any franchise that aims to conclude a saga or multiple storylines on a high note. However, there may have been a more impactful way to bring closure to two key alter egos of a superhero from the “Original Six” – Bruce Banner and the Hulk.
The MCU isn’t letting go of its beloved green monster anytime soon, but his presence hasn’t really been felt like it used to, at least since the 2019 movie. Mark Ruffalo reprised his Smart Hulk role for a mid-credits cameo inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and appeared briefly in three episodes ofShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Now, some unconfirmed reports suggest that a deleted scene fromAvengers: Endgamemight have changed things for both Banner and the Hulk.
Did Hulk Meet Bruce Banner inEndgame?
Short Answer: It’s Complicated
According toa speculative tweet from X user @comicodigy,Endgamewas originally supposed to feature a scene whereBruce Banner and the Hulkmeet each other as two separate entities. The post suggests that the two alter egos interact within the Soul World after Banner uses the Nano Gauntlet to restore half of the universe’s population. The user does not reveal the source of this information or confirm its legitimacy. However, the handle is well known for sharing industry rumors and theories about comic book movies, many of which have turned out to be true. So, Marvel fans seem convinced that they were robbed of an epic Hulk moment on screen.
Endgamewas originally supposed to feature a scene where Bruce Banner and the Hulk meet each other as two separate entities.
As it stands,Endgameshows Banner stepping up to reverseThanos’s universe-wiping snap fromInfinity War. After wearing the Nano Gauntlet with great difficulty, he performs the snap and the scene immediately cuts to a close-up of his eyes before he passes out. This sequence hints at the potential for a missing scene in between these two moments, either taking place inside Banner’s mind or in the Soul World. Instead, the movie transitions directly to the immediate aftermath of the snap and the Thanos army invasion that follows.
Was Marvel Right to Delete the Hulk Scene?
It’s important to clarify that this wasn’t a typicalMarvel deleted scenethat was shot and later cut at the editing table. An example fromEndgameitself would be the emotional moment where all the heroes take a knee to honor Tony Stark after the final showdown. The Hulk-meets-Banner scene, however, seems like an idea on paper that never made it to the final version on screen.
From the looks of it,the Russo brothers and Marvel Studios execslikely made a good call. As a fan, it may be tempting to see a fitting conclusion for a hero as popular as the Hulk. But what’s popular isn’t always right, and the scene’s inclusion might have disrupted the pacing ofEndgame. The narrative had no choice but to hurry past the Hulk’s reversal snap to hold the tension forthe third act to succeed. Needless to say,Endgameremains the longest MCU movie to date with a whopping 181-minute runtime, and even an extra minute could’ve been a costly gamble.
While leaving the scene out was the correct choice, many fans still feel that this scene could have been brought to life and released separately in an extended cut. Some argue that the scene wouldn’t make sense, given that Smart Hulk is already a merged version of the two personas, while others think it might have lacked emotional weight, similar to another deleted interaction between Tony Stark and teenage Morgan Stark.
Deleted Hulk Scene Sparks MCU Fan Theories
Marvel fans need no introduction to “what if?” scenarios – there is eventhe Disney+ animated seriesWhat If?dedicated to them. The rumors about the potential deleted scene between Bruce Banner and the Hulk immediately triggered fan theories and debates across social media, as depicted in the fan art above.
The scene was likely to play out in a quiet, emotional tone, much like the “What did it cost?” exchange between Thanos and young Gamora. By the end ofInfinity War, Hulk refuses to come out at Banner’s command, but five years later, the two have learned to coexist as Smart Hulk. So, a good option would have been to show Banner and the Hulk parting ways in this Soul World scene. On a practical, real-world note, Smart Hulk or Professor isn’t particularly a fan favorite. So, this was a missed opportunity to introduce a new version of the character to spice upMarvel’s ongoing Multiverse Saga.
Another option for the scene is to go beyond just Banner and Hulk’s meeting, and bring in Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow). Earlier in the movie, Scarlett Johansson’s character sacrifices herself to obtain the Soul Stone. So, it adds up for Banner to meet her in the Soul World and close their long-running friendship arc, including that brief-but-awkward romance in between.
Can Hulk Meet Banner in Future MCU Movies?
Absolutely. In the comics, Bruce Banner and the Hulk have had various interesting encounters as separate entities, often in the mindscape or as different variants of themselves. Interestingly, most of these occasions start with Banner trying to cure himself but somehow end in Hulk wanting to kill him. And the MCU could borrow from some of thestrongest Hulk versions in Marvel Comicsand find a way to make the two alter egos meet.
For example, inIncredible Hulk #130(1970), Dr. Raoul Stoddard, a radiation research expert and Banner’s classmate, creates the Gammatron to achieve this. But instead of erasing the green monster, the machine splits him into a separate being. And it turns out that if the Hulk died, so would Banner. So, the two personas restore their original connection in the next issue, with a little help from Iron Man.
The deletedAvengers: Endgamescene could have resolved one of the heaviest internal conflicts portrayed in any comic book movie. SinceThe Avengers(2012), the mental struggle between Banner and the Hulk has been a central theme to watch out for. Now, it’s hard to imagine that this was the same character who went head-to-head with Iron Man in the iconic Johannesburg battle inAvengers: Age of Ultron. Seeing how calm and composedthe MCU’s Smart Hulkis, it’s easy to forget the uncontrollable, rage-fueled green monster who once smashed past everything in his way.
