Hulk’s Destiny Revealed by Avengers: Doomsday Directors Following Endgame

It’s become somewhat of a ritual for fans to uncover major plot twists in upcoming MCU films long before they hit theaters, leaving directors and actors to dance around the truth for months. The latest buzz centers on Sadie Sink’s portrayal of Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which, despite being an open secret, wasn’t officially acknowledged until after the film’s release. Now, the Russo Brothers find themselves in a similar situation as they gear up for Avengers: Doomsday, facing a barrage of questions about Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk.

As anticipation builds for Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel has announced a slew of returning characters. However, Ruffalo’s involvement remains unconfirmed, leading fans to speculate about the Hulk’s absence. This uncertainty shifted with the recent re-release of Avengers: Endgame, which features new scenes that directly connect to Doomsday. One notable scene, set after Brand New Day, shows Dr. Banner in a self-imposed isolation, interrupted by a mysterious voice claiming to have “come to collect Banner.” A flash occurs, and Banner vanishes, leaving behind green runes in his cell. The enigmatic figure responsible for his disappearance? None other than Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.

This strongly hints at Banner’s role in Doomsday. In a recent interview, the Russo Brothers were asked directly about this. Unsurprisingly, they sidestepped a definitive answer. “There’s really no way to step around that,” Anthony Russo remarked, adding, “You know us. We’re just fighting ourselves to save the presents for Christmas morning.” Joe Russo followed up, stating, “[Banner] is certainly involved in the story that revolves around Doom. We will not confirm or deny his appearance in Doomsday.”

Anthony also pointed out that many characters and actors have yet to be announced for the film, which feels like the closest thing to a confirmation we might get. However, there’s still a chance that Ruffalo might not show up in Doomsday, and that the Endgame Encore scene could be setting the stage for his role in 2028’s Secret Wars. Only time will tell.

The Endgame Encore scene raises intriguing questions about why Doom would want to collect Banner in the first place. The Russos teased that “his interest may extend beyond just Banner,” suggesting that Doom might be after Banner’s research on Gamma suppression, which Peter Parker has also explored with his mutation inhibitor device. Access to technology that could neutralize the powers of several heroes would be a significant advantage in his upcoming clash with the Avengers.

Alternatively, there could be a deeper thematic reason behind Doom’s pursuit of Banner. Doomsday appears poised to emphasize the connection between Downey Jr.’s new role as Doom and his previous portrayal of Tony Stark, with footage in Endgame Encore drawing parallels between the two characters. Stark and Banner have shared a close bond since the first Avengers film, with their camaraderie as brilliant scientists. If Banner is forced to assist Doom, it could create a compelling narrative that plays off a twisted version of Stark and Banner’s relationship.

While Doctor Doom may present himself as a Stark-like figure to the Avengers, he’s shaping up to resemble something far more sinister.