Hulk's Rage Returns: Brand New Day Promises Unprecedented Fury
After years of toned-down appearances, the green giant may finally unleash his full destructive potential in the upcoming Spider-Man film, potentially crossing lines the MCU has never dared explore before.
Among the original Avengers lineup, Bruce Banner's alter ego has arguably suffered the most from underutilized storytelling in Marvel's cinematic universe. The character's defining characteristic - his uncontrollable fury - has been significantly diminished, leaving many fans frustrated with the direction. While his recent appearances have been mostly limited to She-Hulk, the upcoming Spider-Man film promises to restore the character to his terrifying roots.
Trauma and Guilt Drive New Character Development
According to insider reports from Alex Perez, the narrative will force both Banner and Parker to confront deep-seated psychological wounds from their past experiences. The scooper suggests that these unresolved issues will surface in ways that fundamentally challenge both heroes.
"The events of Brand New Day are going to force both of these characters to come face-to-face with their own personal trauma and guilt over the events of their past as they come bubbling to the surface. And you have to think about what effect that can have on these two characters, particularly."
With Mark Ruffalo confirmed to reprise his role, fans may finally witness the kind of raw, unbridled power that made the character legendary in comic books. This could represent the most intense portrayal of the green giant since Age of Ultron.
Unprecedented Levels of Destruction Ahead
The emotional turmoil brewing within Banner could trigger transformations more violent than anything previously shown on screen. Unlike past MCU appearances where the character maintained some level of restraint, this upcoming installment may push boundaries in shocking ways.
Perez claims the psychological pressure could unleash devastation beyond what audiences have witnessed before. Even during the Scarlet Witch's mind control sequence in Age of Ultron, despite massive property damage, civilian casualties remained at zero.
"For Hulk, it's similar, except it unleashes a big green monster on the rampage, angrier than he's ever been before. In previous iterations, Hulk, dare I say, shows restraint in the MCU? Even during the events of Age of Ultron when he was under the control of the Scarlet Witch, people were seriously injured and scared, but if I recall, he never killed anyone. In Brand New Day, he might get pushed to the point where he might just kill somebody."
Solo Film Remains Complicated
The character's limited screen time partly stems from complex legal arrangements between Universal Pictures and Marvel Studios. These distribution rights issues have prevented a proper standalone sequel since the disappointing 2008 release.
When asked about future solo projects, Ruffalo acknowledged these ongoing complications: "Yeah, I'd love to have a solo Hulk movie. I don't know if you know the story of that, but it's not really owned by Marvel. It's a Universal property. I don't know if it'll ever really come to be, honestly."
For now, fans must wait to see how Brand New Day and future Avengers installments handle this long-overdue character development. Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters July 31, 2026.