Bruce Banner was last seen being wheeled into an ambulance, and nobody knew when he’d be back. Now a new wave of reports has some answers.
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The Hulk Comeback, Explained
In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Jean Grey takes over Banner’s mind and turns him back into Savage Hulk. That reversed Endgame‘s controversial Smart Hulk era, but his future was left open.
Insiders including Alex Perez of The Cosmic Circus and scooper Daniel Richtman now say Mark Ruffalo will return in Avengers: Secret Wars. Perez described the Hulk as similar to the one in Thor: Ragnarok. That would be Ruffalo’s fifth Avengers film and 12th MCU project.
What’s Confirmed vs Reported
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Hulk in Secret Wars | Reported |
| Hulk in Doomsday | Not expected |
| Eric Bana’s return | No word from insiders |
| Edward Norton’s return | Unlikely |
| Maestro Hulk | Rumor, unproven |
Why the Timing Works
Ruffalo is busy filming Task Season 2 for HBO, which is reportedly about halfway done. That points to a November or December wrap, leaving him free to join Secret Wars several months into production. Doomsday arrives December 18, 2026, and Secret Wars follows on December 17, 2027.
Who Else Might Follow From Brand New Day?
| Character | Chance in Secret Wars |
|---|---|
| Yelena Belova | Very high |
| Spider-Man | High (post-credits hint) |
| Jean Grey | Reportedly a major role |
| Punisher | Possible |
| Ned Leeds | Low |
| Bill Metzger | Very low |
The film is already packed with heroes, so smaller supporting characters may get squeezed out.
Want more Marvel theories? Browse our latest superhero news or catch up on trending movie updates.
FAQs
Is Hulk in Avengers: Doomsday?
No, Ruffalo isn’t expected to return for it. His comeback is reportedly saved for Secret Wars.
Will Smart Hulk return?
Unlikely. Reports point to a wilder, Savage-style Hulk, closer to the Ragnarok version.
