Marvel Studios has the perfect opportunity to bring Bruce Banner’s Hulk back to theMCUin Phase 6’sVisionseries, following several years of the hero being absent and underused. The Hulk has been one of Marvel’s most recognizable and popular characters since his debut in 1962, and this continued with his live-action adaptation. Mark Ruffalo first appeared asBruce Banner in 2012’sThe Avengers, following Edward Norton’s debut four years prior, and the Hulk quickly became a central figure in the MCU, but this hasn’t been the case in recent years.
Since the Multiverse Saga kicked off,Bruce Banner’s Hulk has been noticeably absentfrom the MCU. Ruffalo made brief appearances inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but the once-pivotal Avenger has taken a backseat to some of the MCU’s newer heroes, which is a shame. Thankfully, however,Marvel Studios may have set up the perfect opportunity to change this, finally bringing Bruce Banner’s Hulk back to the MCU just before the Avengers come back togetherin Phase 6.
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Bruce Banner’s Connection To Vision & Ultron Means He Could Return In The MCU’s Vision Series
While Marvel Studios hasn’t yet confirmed Mark Ruffalo’s return to the MCU as Bruce Banner, the upcomingVisionseries could be the perfect place to bring him back into the fray. James Spader was recently announced to be reprising his role ofUltron in Terry Matalas’Visionseries. Given Bruce Banner’s crucial role in the origin of both Ultron and Vision, it seems very likely that he’ll join Spader and MCU veteran Paul Bettany.Back in 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron, Bruce Banner helped Tony Stark develop the Ultron program, and later helped him bring Vision to life.
Every Actor Cast In MCU’s Vision Show (So Far)
With the MCU’s Vision series set to come out in 2026, here are all the actors cast in the upcoming show so far, both new and familiar.
It would be a wonderful full-circle moment if Bruce Banner returns in theVisionseries to confront his creation, Ultron. Banner’s last experience with Ultron culminated in his exiling himself, but that was a long time ago. Since then,Banner has merged the human and Hulk, so a rematch against Ultron may go far differently. Banner also put his expertise to the test to try and saveVision inAvengers: Infinity War, though this ultimately turned out to be futile. It would be great for theVisionseries to include a cameo from Ruffalo’s original Avenger.
Marvel Is About To Break A Hulk Record That Makes An Appearance In The Vision Series Even More Necessary
Since Mark Ruffalo debuted as the Hulk in 2012’sThe Avengers,the character has never gone more than two years without making a live-action appearance in the MCU. This isn’t counting Norton’s debut in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, or Ruffalo’s voice role in the animatedWhat If…?series. There is speculation ofBruce Banner’s return in 2025’sCaptain America: Brave New World, but Marvel is about to break this record anyway, as the Hulk hasn’t been seen in the MCU since the finale of 2022’sShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
The series will likely set up important story points for Doomsday.
Marvel Television’sVisionseries is expected to premiere in 2026, presumably beforeAvengers: Doomsday. The series will likely set up important story points forDoomsday, with recent speculation suggesting the series will introduce theWest Coast Avengersahead of the crossover movie, and this would be a fantastic place for Bruce Banner’s Hulk to return.This would mark a four-year gap between Bruce Banner’s most recent and next upcoming appearance, mirroring the Hulk’s absence from the MCU back in Phase 1.
Vision Quest
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Vision Quest explores Vision’s journey to reclaim his identity following the events of WandaVision. As he attempts to restore his memory and humanity, the narrative delves into themes of self-discovery and transformation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s expansive storyline.
