Spider-Man: Brand New Day Takes a Lighthearted Jab at the Avengers Movie Controversy

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has hit theaters, and while it sets the stage for future Marvel Cinematic Universe adventures, it also takes a moment to reflect on the last time the Avengers faced a common foe. One scene humorously points out that Thanos’ motivations in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame are a bit illogical, but then again, evil villains don’t always need to make sense.

Midway through the film, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is grappling with a DNA imbalance that’s causing his Spider-hormones to overpower his human side. Lacking the Avengers’ resources, he decides to seek help from one of the team’s brightest minds. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is now teaching at a local university, sporting an inhibitor to keep the Hulk in check during lectures.

Peter sneaks into one of Dr. Banner’s classes, where a student with a talent for derailing discussions asks a rather insightful question: If Thanos was worried about overpopulation, why didn’t he use the Infinity Stones to double resources instead of wiping out half of all life? Bruce deflects the question to another student, who happens to be painted green, and the student simply responds with a loud “Hulk smash!”

So, even one of the smartest Avengers can’t provide an answer, and it seems Marvel is in the same boat. For nearly a decade, fans have debated Thanos’ flawed plan, which he justifies as a necessary sacrifice for the survivors after their loved ones are erased. If Thanos truly wanted to benefit everyone, why choose genocide when he could easily create more resources? Some see this as a plot hole, while others argue that Thanos is a tyrant who wouldn’t consider alternatives to his own brutal solution. Bruce’s redirection to a non-answer feels like Marvel’s way of acknowledging this long-standing puzzle, adding a humorous touch to a question that has intrigued fans since Infinity War debuted in 2018.