Hulk’s Shocking Absence in Avengers: Doomsday Explained
Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner won’t join the Avengers: Doomsday line-up, with new reports hinting at a dark twist for the character in Spider-Man 4. Find out what’s keeping Hulk off the team and what’s next for him.
Mark Ruffalo’s time as Bruce Banner is taking a sharp turn, with fresh word that he won’t be suiting up for the next Avengers line-up in Doomsday. According to scooper James Mack, something grim is set to happen to Banner in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will see him sidelined from the much-anticipated team-up. Fans had been speculating for ages about Ruffalo’s return, and while he’s confirmed for Spider-Man 4, it looks like any reunion with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans is off the cards for now.
Banner’s Fate in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Mack reckons that whatever unfolds in Spider-Man 4 will force Bruce to keep his distance from everyone else. The scoop suggests that the heroes of Earth aren’t too keen on having him around, as he’s apparently responsible for some serious damage—literally taking lives. This echoes the Illuminati saga, but with a new spin for the MCU. The New York crew, including Yelena’s Avengers, are said to be behind the push to keep Hulk away from the public after his actions in Brand New Day.
Other insiders have chimed in, saying both Peter Parker and Bruce will be grappling with their own demons and guilt. For Bruce, it’s a return to a much angrier state than punters have seen before. One report puts it bluntly:
For Hulk, it’s similar, except it unleashes a big green monster on the rampage, angrier than he’s ever been before.
The suggestion is that this time, Hulk might cross a line he’s never crossed before.
Fans React and Look Ahead to Secret Wars
With Ruffalo’s absence from Doomsday, fans are left waiting for the next big moment. But there’s hope on the horizon, as Mack and others say Bruce will be back for Avengers: Secret Wars. The idea of a World War Hulk storyline has punters buzzing, with many keen to see the character unleashed in a way the MCU hasn’t dared before. Social media is full of calls for Hulk to be banished, only to return in Secret Wars and cause absolute chaos.
Oh please Illuminati banish this man…I need to see him in Secret Wars just destroying everything and everyone, throw 100 Sentinels at him and let him tear them apart pleaseeeeee!!!
Ruffalo himself has said he’s up for whatever Marvel has planned, even hinting he’d be ready for a solo Hulk film if the opportunity comes up. He’s acknowledged that topping Endgame will be tough, but he’s confident Marvel will deliver something massive for Secret Wars.
Well, it’s gonna be hard to top Endgame, but if I know Kevin [Feige] and if I know Marvel, it’s gonna be pretty amazing. It’ll be a big bang, we’ll go out with a big bang.
Release Dates and What’s Next
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to hit cinemas on 31 July 2026, with Avengers: Doomsday following on 18 December 2026. Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see if Hulk’s next chapter lives up to the hype, but the stage is set for some big changes in the MCU. Let us know what you reckon about Bruce’s future in the comments below.