Brave new world with Bruce Banner would be an excuse

Key findings

• Red Hulk will appear in “Captain America: Brave New World” and will be played by Harrison Ford.
• Rumor has it that Mark Ruffalo could return as Bruce Banner, overshadowing the main character.
• The film doesn’t need Banner and should focus on Cap’s journey without him to show the hero’s development.

As Marvel Studios Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters next year and marks the official introduction of Red Hulk to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character is played by the legendary Harrison Ford, who was there to provide the first official look at his Hulk during Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July. Red Hulk is one of many characters set to join Anthony Mackie’s Captain America on the big screen, alongside the likes of Joaquin Torres’ Falcon and the villainous Leader. However, if recent rumors are to be believed, the film will also feature one of the original Avengers.

Rumor has it that Mark Ruffalo will return as Bruce Banner for the film. An appearance of an original Avenger in Captain America: Brave New World wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Still, an appearance by Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner could ultimately overshadow Mackie’s title character, who finally gets the chance to star in his own film.

Does Brave New World need Bruce Banner?

As for Bruce Banner, the Avenger is one of the few characters who has yet to have a solo film produced. This is due to a complicated rights issue that allows him to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but not in a standalone film, as Universal technically owns the distribution rights. Given this issue, Marvel Studios tends to have the character appear in other projects when it makes sense, so fans have the opportunity to enjoy Ruffalo’s Hulk and let the character grow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without having to deal with the complications of a standalone film. While Bruce’s inclusion in other projects is fun for fans, it’s hard to imagine Bruce appearing in other projects. Captain America: Brave New World would really benefit from the appearance of Bruce Banner. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+, Captain America: Brave New World will be Mackie’s first appearance as Captain America in his own film. While the Disney+ series gave fans a glimpse of the hero in action, Brave new world serves as a fitting introduction to this new version of Captain America. In addition to Captain America, the new Falcon, Red Hulk, The Leader, Diamondback, Sabra, Betty Ross and Sidewinder will also be seen in the film.

While some of these characters are admittedly Hulk characters and have not appeared since The Incredible Hulkit would be a mistake to bring Banner back for this film. Bringing in the Hulk, a character significantly more powerful than Captain America, would overshadow Mackie’s hero. It would not do justice to the story and Mackie’s role as the lead actor. While it may be a good idea to bring Banner back for this film, Brave new worldTo be honest, the film doesn’t need it.

Why Banner’s involvement would be wrong

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has been a regular since his introduction in Captain America: The Winter SoldierAlthough fans loved Wilson, he was one of Captain’s most important people, alongside Bucky. It was only when he was released at the end of Avengers: Endgame that the character finally got the chance to shine. With The Falcon and the Winter SoldierThe series briefly explored what it was like for Wilson to take on the mantle of Captain America and step into the shoes of Steve Rogers. By the end, he was ready to take off and be his own hero, even if he had mixed feelings about it. Captain America: Brave New WorldWilson is thrown fully into his role as Captain America. Thanks to the first trailer, we know that Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross has plans for Captain America, and Wilson will ultimately have to decide what kind of hero he wants to be. That’s why it’s best to leave Bruce Banner out of the film. Mackie has already stated that his Captain America doesn’t have the serum that helped Rogers, so we know that’s already working against him. Seeing him find a way to fight back despite his disadvantages is important to his character development.

We’ve seen Rogers, who had some advantages thanks to the Super Soldier Serum, struggle in his movies. No matter how strong he was, he was never strong enough to win based on his strengths. It was more due to his perseverance. Having Wilson adopt that mentality from Rogers would be a smart move that shows a similarity between the two, despite their own heroic differences. Wilson will be going up against a number of powerful individuals, and Marvel Studios would be smart to let him win on his own merits rather than getting help from an Avenger like Hulk.

Captain America: Brave New World is scheduled to hit theaters on February 14, 2025.