The Hulk has been a part of the Marvel universe for an incredibly long time. Several actors have taken a crack at playing this enormous green gamma-radiation-infused scientist on television and in films. Most recently, Mark Ruffalo took on the role of Bruce Banner for the first Avengers film and quickly became one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. His brain has been essential to the team’s combat strategies, and his brawn… well, let’s just say that enemies the galaxy over quake in fear when they hear Captain America say, “Hulk, smash.”
Recently, Bruce Banner has taken on something of a mentor role, as his cousin Jennifer Walters was infected with his blood and turned into a Hulk herself in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Following the Avenger’s brutal battle with Thanos, he is more than deserving of a break. However, a recent episode of She-Hulk saw Banner speeding through space in a mysterious alien craft to an unknown destination. Some folks have speculated that this brief scene was the first hint that the fascinating version of the character known as World Breaker Hulk would appear in future projects.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
However, it’s possible that if this comic book-inspired storyline were to make its way onto the big screen, the character would be the most powerful in the entire franchise. Is World Breaker Hulk too dangerous for the MCU?
Uber-Hulk Combined with Bruce Banner’s Super Intelligence
The very idea of the Hulk has always hinged on a contradiction. Bruce Banner is one of the world’s most brilliant scientists, yet he turns into a mindless beast whenever he lets his anger get the better of him. However, the last few times we’ve seen the character, he has seemingly taken control of his emotions. Banner now walks around as the Hulk full-time, and the glass-wearing version of the monster, who has the scientist’s gentle demeanor, is referred to as Smart Hulk.
RELATED: How She-Hulk: Attorney at Law May Have Setup World War Hulk
Given his intelligence, it’s difficult to imagine just how formidable he would be when imbued with all the abilities of World Breaker Hulk. An entity with galactic-scale superpowers and the mind of a brilliant scientist to boot would be able to easily defeat any potential villains in upcoming MCU projects. However, if he were to become a bad guy himself, who would be capable of stopping this uber-powerful version of the Hulk?
World Breaker Hulk is the Angriest Version of the Character
World Breaker Hulk has a tragic backstory. After he is exiled to space by the Illuminati, who deemed him too dangerous to remain on Earth, the Hulk crash lands on the planet Sakaar. Initially, he is kidnapped and forced to compete in gladiator matches. However, he quickly joins a rebellion and overthrows the planet’s king. He then marries a woman named Caiera.
However, just as Hulk finally begins to accept his life on the planet, there is a malfunction within the warp drive of a spaceship that brought him there in the first place. The resulting explosion levels Sakaar, killing everyone who inhabits it, including his wife and unborn child. The Hulk absorbs all the energy from the explosion and becomes World Breaker Hulk.
RELATED: Why the Modern MCU Was Made for Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk
The Hulk is defined by his anger, though he recently learned to control it. Losing his wife and child would undoubtedly make him lose control once again. Couple that rage with the abilities of World Breaker Hulk, and he might be a problem that the MCU simply cannot handle.
Hulk’s Fists of Fury Smash on a Galactic Scale
The Hulk has already proven capable of smashing impossibly huge alien leviathans. Every time the Avengers find themselves in a fight, he levels endless waves of assailants. He is arguably one of the most powerful characters in the MCU.
World War Hulk, however, represents an entirely different level of strength. In the comics, his fists can genuinely rattle entire planets to their core. Additionally, the incredible amount of radiation he has absorbed makes him capable of unleashing massive energy blasts, which could level an entire city, let alone any hero or villain that chooses to stand in his way.
The Hulk isn’t going anywhere. Aside from the fact that the character seems downright impossible to kill, Mark Ruffalo has expressed interest in playing Bruce Banner until both he and the character have gone gray. Furthermore, there have been a lot of rumors suggesting that a World War Hulk project is inevitable. However, Marvel creatives should take care if they’re considering introducing the character.
The stakes of the MCU, given the recent focus on the multiverse, have never been higher. Once you increase the scope of a franchise, it can be near impossible to reign it in. World Breaker Hulk could, in all likelihood, single-handedly beat down the Avengers. Where’s the fun in that?
