Flying Iron Man over an image of Angry Hulk

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to do some interesting things in Avengers: Doomsday, but if rumors are correct, they will be telling stories of an evil Iron Man and an evil Captain America before they’ve ever used Hulk as a genuine villain. Each of Hulk’s appearances in the MCU have been memorable, although it seems that the franchise has been reluctant in using him as a potential antagonist since Avengers: Age of Ultron. I believe Hulk has been watered down, making his MCU future seem quite unusual.

Fewer MCU characters than I would like have had genuine heel turns. Villains helping the heroes has been a much more common trope in the franchise, with characters like Nebula and Loki switching sides in the larger conflict. In the live-action films, few other than Scarlet Witch have had the opportunity to become genuine antagonists to the Marvel heroes. That looks set to change soon, although it is strange that it will happen with several popular characters other than Hulk himself.

The MCU Has Had The Building Blocks For A World War Hulk Movie For Years Now

World War Hulk Has Long Been Rumored In The MCU

hulk son Cropped She-Hulk screaming in her season premiere Smart Hulk in She-Hulk season 1 looking annoyed. Harrison Ford As Red Hulk Toward The End Of His Transformation Yelling In Front Of The White House In Captain America Brave New World Emil Blonsky picking up Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk

Following his recent appearances, there is reason to worry about Smart Hulk in the MCU. Despite the character’s powers being truly terrifying, Hulk seems to have been fundamentally transformed in the franchise, which is an unusual development in the series. So much has been set up for a World War Hulk movie, which would see Hulk on a destructive rampage potentially after the loss of his wife. Elements of this were set up with Hulk being sent to Sakaar and the reveal of Skaar at the end of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

With the larger Hulk stories seeming to lead toward World War Hulk, it is surprising that the project has not been made into a priority for the studio.

Since, however, this has not been followed up on in any meaningful way. Clearly, Hulk had a past on Sakaar that has much room to be explored. His wife from Sakaar in the comics, Caiera, has not appeared in the films, although it is clear that Hulk still has connections to that world. In She-Hulk, he traveled there, eventually bringing his son back with him. With the larger Hulk stories seeming to lead toward World War Hulk, it is surprising that the project has not been made into a priority for the studio.

Avengers: Doomsday’s Biggest Theories Make An Evil Iron Man & Captain America More Likely Than An Evil Hulk

The Evil Versions Of These Characters May Appear In The Next Avengers Film

Superior Iron Man in his Endo-Sym suit in Marvel Comics' AXIS event. Superior Iron Man in his Endo-Sym suit in Marvel Comics' AXIS event. Darkhold Iron Man Evil Captain America aka Hydra Cap. Captain America's 'evil twin', Flag-Smasher, fighting the Avengers with adamantium batons.

Robert Downey Jr. has been confirmed to play Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, but the origin of his character is yet to be confirmed. Still, I think it’s hard to imagine that his similarities in appearance to Iron Man do not matter to the upcoming film. This Doctor Doom is almost assuredly going to be an evil Iron Man variant who looks to save the multiverse in his own twisted way. Following the introduction of an evil Iron Man to the franchise, it makes sense that many other heroes may follow.

It seems that evil Iron Man will bring a twisted Avengers team with him. Chris Evans is confirmed to appear in the film, and Scarlett Johansson may also return to the MCU. Rumors have suggested that a dark Captain America variant, potentially even Captain Hydra, may be played by Evans. Doing this would be an interesting twist that would allow the two greatest heroes of The Infinity Saga to be turned into villains. In the larger context of the MCU, however, this is a strange choice.

Why The Hulk’s Biggest Modern MCU Story Update Makes The Lack Of World War Hulk Even Weirder

Smart Hulk Makes All Of This So Much Harder

Smart Hulk confused about Steve Rogers' return in Avengers Endgame Smart Hulk at lunch in Avengers Endgame Smart Hulk trying to invent time travel in Avengers Endgame Smart Hulk about to use the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers Endgame Smart Hulk in the MCU looking confused.

Hulk’s recent path in the MCU has been strange. While the character was introduced as a vengeful monster in The Incredible Hulk, then was given a modicum of control in The Avengers, he was still a hulking, violent beast. This was perfect and had me excited for more of Hulk. However, ever since Thor: Ragnarok, the franchise has had a hard time letting Hulk be Hulk. This trend has restricted Hulk’s transformations, leaving him barely using his powers and never transforming with rage.

Despite setting up many World War Hulk details, this version of Hulk, as Smart Hulk, does not seem anywhere close to who he would need to be to tell that story. This soft and personable Hulk does not seem set to break into a violent rage, even as the larger world of Hulks, including She-Hulk, Red Hulk, and The Leader are brought into the franchise. Some enormous events would have to occur to make a believable transformation for Hulk and to make a World War Hulk story possible.

Someday, somehow, I really hope that we get a World War Hulk movie. The franchise has really let Hulk down lately, and the introduction of an evil Iron Man and an evil Captain America before using Hulk as an actual antagonist would be extremely disappointing. I have faith that the future stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will still be effective and compelling, but it has been far too long since we got to see Hulk as a terrifying threat onscreen. I hope that this can be remedied soon.