Will Fans Actually Get Marvel Studios' Promise of More Hulk in Phase 3?



Back in October (2014), Marvel Studios held an exclusive key note presentation in Los Angeles at the El Capitan Theatre where they revealed the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3 movie schedule and lineup. There was also a promise made by studio head Kevin Feige.

"[Hulk] is going to appear in many of the movies announced today."

The reason this had to be said was due to the fan letdown of no Hulk solo movie in Phase 3. Several months later, in April (2015), actor Mark Ruffalo confirmed the reason there won't be another solo Hulk movie anytime soon is due to a rights dispute with Universal Studios.

"As far as a Hulk movie, a standalone Hulk movie, Marvel doesn’t really have the rights to that yet. That’s still Universal’s property, so there’s that issue. That’s a big impediment to moving forward with that. Now I don’t think that’s insurmountable, by the way, but I don’t know where it’s going from here for me."

So what does this mean for Hulk's appearances in Phase 3? Honestly, it's tough to tell right now but it's safe to guess that Hulk will be appearing in both or at least one of the AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR movies.

But what else? There's been rumors claiming that GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 could adapt a part of the Planet Hulk comic book story arc into its story but writer/director James Gunn has debunked that and he also said there will be no Hulk and Guardians team-up. First he debunked it in July 2014 and then spoke about no Hulk in the sequel again in June 2015.

"I can answer that question very easily: it is absolute, 100% bull****. It feels like a great relief to finally say this after all the dumb stuff on the Internet. There's not going to be a Planet Hulk movie, there was never going to be a Planet Hulk movie, there was never a plan for the Hulk to team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy – I wouldn't want the Hulk to team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy! And it's all a bunch of complete bull****.”

Okay, so no Hulk in Guardians 2 but what about other Phase 3 movies? 

Ruffalo said he hasn't seen a script for CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR and since its filming right now in Atlanta you'd think he would know by now. Especially when there's been a wild rumor about a possible Hulk appearance. Having a possible Hulk appearance in Civil War makes sense but at the same time Marvel never listed Ruffalo's name when they announced the official cast list.

So where does this leave Marvel Studios' promise of more Hulk in Phase 3 movies? Let's break it down.

  • CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR - Rumored appearance that would be logical due to the nature of the film and it already having such a large ensemble cast. (Remember how nobody really knew that War Machine would have more than a cameo in Age of Ultron until right before the film released.)
  • DOCTOR STRANGE - There is a logical comic book universe connection between Strange and Hulk from The Defenders comic book team, so it's plausible.
  • GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 - No, confirmed by Gunn.
  • SPIDER-MAN - It would be so cool if Hulk showed up in Spidey's movie but don't get your hopes up.
  • THOR: RAGNAROK - Perhaps but Hulk needs to find a way to get to Asgard, unless he is invited by Thor via the Bifrost.
  • AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, PART I - Likely appearance.
  • BLACK PANTHER - Possible appearance especially if Bruce Banner teams up with T'Challa and they become Science Bros., too.
  • CAPTAIN MARVEL - Tough call.
  • AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, PART II - Likely appearance.
  • INHUMANS - No clue if there's a logical fit here at all since this new team needs its movie to develop the new characters being introduced.

As of right now it's uncertain if there will really be more Hulk in Phase 3 films but remember how Joss Whedon promised more Hulk in Age of Ultron and there really wasn't that much more Hulk compared to how he talked up more screen time for Hulk in the sequel. (In fact, Hulk had the fifth most screen time of the heroes in Age of Ultron and that's not really more Hulk.)

Obviously fans need to be patient and as time goes on we will learn how much more Hulk we will get in Phase 3 but as of right now it seems like we might get a some Hulk but not really more Hulk as promised. And sadly not as much as the character deserves since he cannot have his own solo movie due to the right battle with Universal.

What Phase 3 movies do you think Hulk might appear in? Comment below.



To read more about Hulk, click here.