Hulk Smashed? Kevin Feige Signals the Incredible End of Standalone Hulk Movies in the MCU –
Hulk’s solo movies in MCU seem over as per Kevin Feige
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has hinted that the Incredible Hulk may not get any more solo movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This revelation has come as a disappointment for many Hulk fans who were hoping to see more standalone films featuring the green superhero.
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According to actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays Hulk/Bruce Banner in the MCU, Feige told him that the character would continue to be part of ensemble casts but a solo Hulk movie was not being planned anymore.
“Ruffalo disclosed during a Question & Answer session that Kevin Feige had told him Bruce Banner would never have a stand-alone movie. He was going to be part of an ensemble cast,” a media report stated.
Kevin Feige told Mark Ruffalo that #Hulk will never get another solo film pic.twitter.com/lJrlMpsjdq
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) February 13, 2024
Ruffalo wanted a solo movie showcasing mellowed Hulk
Ruffalo was apparently interested in doing a solo Hulk movie that showed Bruce Banner’s mellowed personality as opposed to the rage-filled Hulk seen initially.
“While the actor was interested in having a solo film displaying the mellowing personality of the angry mutant Bruce, Feige planned to show the transformation through four movies with multiple casts,” the report added.
So while Hulk had one introductory solo movie in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton, he has mostly been an Avengers team player in the later MCU movies.
Mark Ruffalo confirms he's returning as Hulk in 'CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD'.
(via: @SBIFF) pic.twitter.com/DGxg8zNOZg
— ScreenTime (@screentime) February 12, 2024
No solo Hulk movie planned confirms Ruffalo
Clearing confusion over his remarks about being part of 2025’s Captain America movie, Ruffalo directly told fans at an event that Marvel was not giving him a standalone Hulk movie.
“I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble, but that’s not happening,” Ruffalo stated as per reports.
Earlier, his comments had given an impression that he would reprise his Hulk role in the next Captain America movie scheduled for 2025. But he later clarified that he misspoke and is not expected to be part of that movie’s cast.
Hulk’s journey and development in MCU movies
Ruffalo replaced actor Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/Hulk in 2012’s The Avengers after Norton played the role in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.
Ruffalo’s Hulk was initially presented as an uncontrollable rage monster but gradually evolved into a mild-mannered and intellectual scientist over later MCU films.
The actor has portrayed the role in Iron Man 3 (2013), three Avengers movies, Captain Marvel (2019), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), and also made appearances in the Disney+ shows Loki and She-Hulk.
Roadblock for solo Hulk movie
A major roadblock for a standalone Hulk movie is that the rights are owned by Universal Studios instead of Disney which owns Marvel. This restricts Kevin Feige and Marvel’s control over any solo Hulk projects.
Ruffalo has also been known to accidentally reveal spoilers about Marvel movies in the past during interviews and media interactions.
But his latest comments directly ruling out a solo outing for Hulk in the MCU indicate that the character may be ready to hang his gloves after over a decade of appearances.
With She-Hulk also getting her own Disney+ series, it seems unlikely that fans will see more of Ruffalo as a solo lead hero down the line.
Expert view on Hulk’s journey concluding in MCU
“It appears that Kevin Feige and Marvel have decided to conclude the Hulk’s arc within the wider narrative journeys of the Avengers and other MCU characters. While a solo movie would have been great for fans, Hulk has already evolved impressively from his early rage-monster days under Ruffalo’s nuanced portrayal. His cameos now feel more special and focused in ensemble projects rather than over-exposing the character unnecessarily,” said John Andrews, a veteran entertainment journalist who covers superhero movies.
In summary, Kevin Feige’s plans seem to point towards an end of the road for standalone Hulk movies in the MCU even as the character continues to be part of larger ensemble casts. Mark Ruffalo has transformed the role over his decade-long portrayal but complications over rights mean his tenure as Hulk may be limited going forward. For now, Hulk fans will have to be content seeing their favorite green superhero as a supporting Avenger rather than the main lead hero.
