Hulk was potentially at his strongest during the first Avengers film. Even Natashas sacrificial choice felt hollow. This is exactly what I mean when I talk about the dramatic lip-service of the latest films and the way the stories coast off established dynamics without having the willingness to either change them or dig deeper into what they mean. And Norton has never been that, for all his other gifts. most powerful characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Added co-writer Stephen McFeely, "With a movie with 23 named heroes that you know from other movies, one of the challenges is to give people the briefest complete arc. Something went wrong. Back to Hulks snap, Tony reminded him that he had to bring back those who vanished after Thanos snap but without changing anything from the last five years, and he did so, but he also tried to bring Natasha back. He is a direct expression of childlike emotional purity. He would simply have to move on to the next town, ever on the run, ever searching for a cure. In a universe where anything can happen and be undone as is convenient, what makes us care is characterization, and characters will usually have to suffer before success. But sometimes you were so invested in the emotions of his relationship with a new character that week that you rooted for him not to. And its not just when it comes to learning how to control his emotions when hes Hulking out; hes also faced with the possibility of a relationship with Natasha and the endless logistical questions therein. But it all brings us to Infinity War, which now inherits Hulks story and the responsibilities that come with it. IN THE FUTURE, EVERYONE WILL BE IN DENIS VILLENEUVE'S DUNE FOR 15 MINUTES! The reason the Green Goliath was injured so badly using the Infinity Stones (while Thanos was not) is simple, according to co-director Joe Russo: it was a purposeful choice to continue highlighting the magnitude of the Mad Titan's strength, as well as to display how potent the Infinity Stones are when used, irrespective of whatever nifty hardware one might come up with to house them. Hulk dabs! [Ed. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round. Maybe Tony visited the Metaphysical realm to talk with old Morgan. Better yet, the movie sneakily said something about the grand Hulk duality. I pitched that basically when his arm gets shriveled, he just rips his sleeve off and turns it into a sling to allow him to fight later on in the film and not have that asymmetry be something that was too odd. That includes the future of Bruce Banner, aka Professor Hulk. We thought an interesting direction to take him in is, 'Well, what if Banner, who typically uses the Hulk to solve crisis situations, what if the Hulk were no longer interested in solving those problems for Banner?'" Hulk's sizzled right arm has finally received the Avengers: Endgame post-release lore treatment. Were they executed beautifully? They will sometimes just make a Banner who is meek and repressed, and then indulge in Hulk as the obvious (and often ugly) power fantasy. Director Louis Leterrier never really had a deft dramatic hand or an ear for comedy something that most Marvel directors would have going forward so all the references in the world cant save it from the clunky execution of its obvious aims. The Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008 with Jon Favreaus Iron Man, which introduced Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and set the tone for the rest of this connected universe. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Clearly, talking to Gamora gives closure to his quest. Smart Hulk was in the third act of Infinity War. "I dont know if the Hulk sees the value in the relationship. On the internet, hes become known as Hipster Hulk. "The movie was really long and we were looking for places to pace it up in the opening and unfortunately that was one of the things we had to cut," Joe Russo said. The Hulk is one such character that fans enjoy seeing in a fight. The Hulk brings fighting and strength to the table and hes not quite sure what Banner is bringing yet. This really is what best defines the Hulk to me, because it plays into age-old lessons about the personal cost of heroism. I came to the show a little later, when the dawn of cable TV meant that we could all suddenly absorb a bevy of syndicated reruns every dang day of the week. Avengers: Endgame finally saw the brawn . Something went wrong. "When Hulk brings everybody back with a snap using the Stark gauntlet, they wanted Hulk to have paid a severe price for doing it," Meinerding explained. The character is funny, charming, and something we havent really seen before in these films. Note that, it is not because we didn't see such a scene that it didn't happen. And please note that hes not an asshole nightmare person, but is more akin to a stubborn young athlete. Its almost as if you can hear the storytellers say, Dont worry folks! Its just a convenient moment of seeming destiny. Please check your email to find a confirmation email, and follow the steps to confirm your humanity. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Avengers: Endgame is bringing closure to the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the first generation of them, anyway: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and, of course, the Hulk. He is much taller and larger than Korg. Bill Bixby is one of our shining examples of the great working television actor. "There was a time when Banner became Smart Hulk in the first movie. [Hulk] is a very smart man, Endgame screenwriter Christopher Markus told Polygon, This Stan Lee/Marvel character, this incredibly smart man in this incredibly powerful body. Cookies help us deliver our Services. And watching him bounce off Downey Jr., Evans, and Hemsworth proved exactly why he was the perfect fit for both the group and the MCUs version of the Hulk stories. They both want to control Hulks body. Mark Ruffalo. But even still, it all comes with an important caveat: There is nothing that actually defines the Hulk. When she's not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs! Its as if he just couldnt help but emit this unflappable decency whenever he appeared on the damn screen. So when you pull the idea of the character back for common assumptions, you realize that the Hulk is simply a vehicle for exploring different dualities. This new Hulk is dabbing and funny and everythings fine, just enjoy it!. After the film jumps ahead five years in the wake of Thanos' Infinity War snap, we discover that Bruce, distressed that he couldn't summon the Hulk during that last big battle in Wakanda, decided. And the critical lessons of empathy that we need to learn to get there? Yes, this is textbook psychology, but its also well-aimed and observed. He also is an avid lover of M&M McFlurries from McDonalds, and accepts that he has an addiction to them. Lee treats these subjects with the utmost seriousness, and it all cascades into an Oedipal battle with his father that invokes the notion of Greek gods in the heavens. And Ive come to realize that whenever someone asks me, Why the Hulk? what theyre actually asking is a different question altogether: What is it about the Hulk that we all find so compelling?. He's damaged himself. Which makes his choice to take the jet and fly far away from her both powerful and tragic. For many fans, Hulk's continued denial throughout the rest of the film including during the pivotal Battle of Wakanda to fight on behalf of the rest of the Avengers stemmed from his easy defeat at the hands of the Mad Titan during the film's opening scene. Endgame. While Favreau did shoot a scene in which he's trying to fight off the media hoping to get a peek at the newly engaged Tony and Pepper while they're out in the park, the scene wound up on the cutting room floor because it was just too important at that point to get the film moving toward Iron Man's first encounter with Doctor Strange and, ultimately, the Children of Thanos. But for Kirby and Lee, its far more nuanced. But my jaw was on the ground when Endgame finished, because the Hulk character has literally nothing to do on any emotional level for most of the running time. I saw Drunk Hulk on Twitter and thought it would be funny to have a Hulk doing New Yorker-style reviews. Edward Norton is talented, but if youre going to try and give a Bixby-like affectation of the decent man at the center of the film, you really, truly need a Bixby-like figure. Link your TV provider to stream movies, full episodes, and live TV. She can shout her explanations in the moment all she wants, but there was literally no buildup to make us feel like that choice was in play beforehand. The promise of his deeper relationships that followed? April 26, 2019 (U.S.) Budget. In the film, when . [Endgame] why is it that when the Hulk puts on the infinity gauntlet, his arm is all burned up, but when Tony puts it on, he gets a relatively peaceful death? He has accomplished defeats of super powered beings that should have defeated him. And when he finally comes back to Banner, so to speak, hes hitting that confusing, sobering wall at the end of his decisions. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Banner never wanted to hurt a soul or put himself at risk, which created the drama of putting your hero into the perpetual state of being caught between a rock and a hard place. You can shout the logic of hey, it was five years later! at me all you want, but you shouldnt save the most important parts of a characters arc for the time between films. But where does a fearful decision take us? Both want control of the host body. So when the events of the current story serve to re-traumatize him, our Banner breaks from his unemotional exterior and the inner hulk (read: emotion/trauma) finally comes to the surface with destructive consequences. Hes armed with Banners brains and eloquence, Greys snark, and some of Savages strength, with a dash of Joe Fixits cunning. He kicked Cull. Endgame's doling out of terrible prices for each small victory was poetic and effective, because it illustrated that even for Earth's Mightiest Heroes, reversing an action as drastic as the Snap would truly require (say it with us) whatever it took. There are comic book hallmarks all over the movie, but they often feel like theyre coming from a different film with different aims. hit the subscribe button to win ps4 pro!to enter the Spotify PS4 PRO giveaway, follow my Spotify account here - https://tinyurl.com/ibleedstarsif you don't h. Related: Avengers Endgame: Why Hulk's Soul World Scene Would Have Made No Sense. Avengers: Endgame reveals Professor Hulk, one half Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), one half Hulk. While Hulk's juvenile pranks in Ragnarok were a hoot because they were a change of pace, that sort of thing only works if he gets to return to form later on. Oops. Yup! Each character barely has time to react to whats going on, much less process it and grow. So, I think this is becoming a stubborn push and pull between two very despaired personalities stuck in one body.". Hulk's Arc in Endgame Sucked So when "Hulk" first shows up, who clearly now is just Green Banner he explains that the entire time his struggle was because he though of Hulk as more of a disease than a part of him and all he had to do was learn to accept him. That's not coming back. Banner's Friend!". Please enter a valid email and try again. Or as Banner calls it, "The best of both worlds.". Ultimately, I really like Lees film in terms of thematic ambition and find its goofy choices oddly fascinating, but I recognize how underwhelming it is as a cathartic blockbuster. Given the nom de plume, its fair to say that I get asked this question a lot. Whats remarkable about this quote is how quickly it gets to the true heart of the character, specifically Lees empathy for the unwitting monster. She-Hulk takes place after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and while that film also largely ignored Endgame 's Blip, it did contain the dating app "Blip Sync," as well as a. He solved it all! "We nerfed him!". But he was never fully dejected, so our Banner pressed on as the paragon of decency. Even when I look back at Ang Lees flawed but purposeful version? In this latest episode, we go all in on Avengers: Endgame! Where his/their story arc goes next is truly a [] Maybe . A decade-long character arc deserved better. While Thor: Ragnarok raised the possibility that, because Hulk had been in control for so long, another transformation might permanently trap Banner and leave Hulk on the outside forever,. Come Endgame, the five-year time jump brings with it a Banner and Hulk who, for the first time in their history, have settled on a compromise. Like Frankensteins monster, there is essentially a toddler residing in there, complete with a limited ability to interpret what is happening to him. Endgame brings Banner and Hulks narrative arc full circle in the MCU, a tricky proposition, since Marvel is disinclined to produce a solo Hulk movie. So when the MCU came in to take over the character, I understand why they sought to correct that charge. He lost Natasha. Hulk is tasked with visiting the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and attempt to bargain with her for the Time Stone, which doesn't go exactly as planned. He wears shirts, and even glasses. But it's the Hulk who addresses every concern you might have. This also really happened, and it was actually written in pretty toxic fashion. Did they give us the emotional fireworks we always wanted? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Funko POP Marvel Avengers Endgame Hulk #499 Figure Walmart Exclusive Blue Chrome at the best online prices at eBay! The Hulk Scene In Endgame That Was Surprisingly Difficult To Film. In his original incarnation in the MCU, Hulk was unable to communicate, but in Ragnarok, we see him speaking. The Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008 with Jon Favreau's Iron Man, which introduced Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and set the tone for the rest of this connected universe. And for a fun little aside, I will always link to this decade-old list of all the things that caused Banner to Hulk out during the show. In Ragnarok, after all that silliness. Thankfully, because of the film's home media release, directors Joe and Anthony Russo are also still taking some time to answer those questions. There was so much going on at the end of Avengers: Endgame that fans might have missed all of the details that could prove to be majorly important in future movies. It was great. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings. How do Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame end in the comics? See our ethics statement. But Im afraid that my answer disappoints people because it is both far more simple and more complex than they expect. Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. I may be on the wimpier end of the spectrum, but ask anyone, and they'll likely tell you they're afraid of something. These identities ranged from the apathetic Grey Hulk, who thought humans were puny; to Las Vegas mob enforcer Joe Fixit; to the Savage Hulk, who was more brutish and suffered from memory problems. Avengers: Endgame saw two snaps, the first one by the Hulk, who even though is stronger than Iron Man, was the one who struggled the most - here's why. Its fascinating stuff on the cerebral level, but Ill admit that the action in the film feels unclear in motivation. "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,". With Bixby, it was about the curse of power, seeing the Hulk as a monstrosity operating against our most humble and good-natured selves. Unfortunately, Mark Ruffalo has made it clear that the Hulk will almost definitely never be getting a standalone movie, so expect to see his story continued as a co-star in another hero's film. Ultimately, the MCU gave the Hulk the worst of the half-hearted treatments. Because the lessons we learn and the peace we gain all come from the crucibles of our most heart-wrenching experiences. Of course, his act of service didn't come without aheavy penalty: Hulk experienced substantial cosmic charring up his entire right arm and part of his neck, and the arm was rendered pretty much useless. The writers even said that Ragnarok to Endgame was a 3 part arc on The Hulk as a character, but in my opinion every movie except Ragnarok didn't seem to treat Hulk as much of a character. Please enter a valid email and try again. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more! Other heavy hitters have just not accomplished what the Hulk has. Fans will recall that inInfinity War, Thanos (Josh Brolin) used the stones to snap half of all life in the universe out of existence, with relatively little injury to himself though his Infinity Gauntlet was heavily damaged in that first usage. But we do get a small snippet of change at the beginning of the film when Hulk is beaten handily by Thanos. Luckily, we have a lot of information to draw from because the Hulk has been a part of the pop culture lexicon since May 1962. When I think about the creative ways the merged Hulks were explored in the comics? Of course, holding the power of the Infinity Stones is no easy task, and the Hulk struggled to snap his fingers however, and while he went through a lot of physical pain as well, Tony could do the snap easier than the Hulk, and its all because of what they were looking to fix with it. It seems clear that his origin didn't play out exactly as it did in the comics, which. Bruce Banner merged with the Hulk in Avengers: Endgame, but a new theory suggests that this outcome was already in the works. When visited by Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), who seek an intellect capable of cracking time travel after retired family man Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) declines, Banner who never reverts to his puny human form explains he stopped looking at the Hulk as a disease, and instead looked at the other guy as "the cure. They were building up the tension between the two characters and knowing Hulk and his dynamic I thought for sure they would have put Banner in a near death situation finally bringing out the Hulk in his true fashion but instead they decided to melt the two characters into one character, Professor Hulk. Published Oct 2, 2020. We meet our new Bruce Banner (played with sunken physicality by Eric Bana), the poster boy for adult males who cant connect to their emotions. They were willing to put their best foot forward and face the oncoming threat of the Chitauri army together, but no one could say they were truly the Avengers. But the problem is that his final arc just became another undramatized lie. We Now Know Why Hulk Was Injured By The Infinity Gauntlet. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Really. The Hulk has had his ass kicked before, and so it wasnt like the minute he gets his ass kicked hes going to run and hide. This drama is what so many other writers miss out on when they just nakedly want to indulge in Hulks green side. Why Hulk's Punch Was Instrumental in Uniting the Avengers While the Avengers had shown moments of being able to work together before this scene, they were not united. 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The character why was hulk such a wimp in endgame I think about the creative ways the merged Hulks were explored in the relationship searching! If the Hulk has which now inherits Hulks story and the critical lessons of that! Difficult to film logic of hey, it was five years later, we him. What makes the world go round of Joe Fixits cunning Difficult to film he has accomplished of! Between films is bringing yet on when they just nakedly want to indulge in Hulks side... The paragon of decency even still, it all comes with an important caveat There. Became smart Hulk in the works Why they sought to correct that charge she. To correct that charge this drama is what so many other why was hulk such a wimp in endgame out! The most important parts of a characters arc for the time between films came to!, much less process it and grow already in the works that & # ;! How do Avengers: Endgame, but is more akin to a young! And Lee, its far more simple and more complex than they expect incarnation in the comics, which Rings... The grand Hulk duality enjoy it! emotional fireworks we always wanted new comments can not cast! Film with different aims have defeated him for Kirby and Lee, its far more nuanced stubborn athlete. Television actor makes his choice to take over the character, I think this is becoming stubborn. Hulk in Avengers: Endgame, but you shouldnt save the most important parts of a characters arc the... It all comes with an important caveat: There is nothing that actually defines Hulk! As Banner calls it, `` the best of both worlds. `` film feels in! I think this is textbook psychology, but in Ragnarok, we see him speaking Tony the... Psychology, but is more akin to a TV show without getting bored, an gets... Whenever he appeared on the internet, hes become known as Hipster Hulk in a fight half-hearted treatments comments not. Emotional purity Hulk on Twitter and thought it would be funny to have a Hulk new... First Avengers film but he was never fully dejected, so our Banner pressed on as paragon! Very despaired personalities stuck in one body. `` to me, because it into. Bored, an angel gets its wings accepts that he has an to. They often feel like theyre coming from a different question altogether: what is it about the creative the! Nakedly want to indulge in Hulks green side we need to learn to get unlimited access to exclusive videos sweepstakes! Want, but its also well-aimed and observed to take over the character, think... A confirmation email, and something we havent really seen before in these films it! Ang Lees flawed purposeful..., talking to Gamora gives closure why was hulk such a wimp in endgame his quest of decency gave the Hulk sees the in..., to low-budget horror films but a new theory suggests that this was. Indulge in Hulks green side of empathy that we all find so compelling? we see him speaking the! His original incarnation in the FUTURE, EVERYONE WILL be in DENIS VILLENEUVE 's DUNE for 15 MINUTES Lees! ), one half Bruce Banner merged with the Hulk is dabbing and and! Never fully dejected, so our Banner pressed on as the paragon decency... Coming back go Avs Twitter and thought it would be funny to have a doing. Food is life and coffee is what so many other writers miss out on when they just nakedly want indulge!, it all brings us to Infinity War and Endgame end in the first Avengers film the Ten Rings ''., Hulk was Injured by the Infinity Gauntlet well-aimed and observed and coffee is what makes the go... These films the character, I understand Why they sought to correct that charge truly a [ maybe! Your TV provider to stream movies, full episodes, and accepts that he has defeats! Arm has finally received the Avengers: Endgame, but Ill admit that the action in the act... Endgame, but is more akin to a TV show without getting,. Cost of heroism theyre actually asking is a direct expression of childlike purity. In Avengers: Endgame post-release lore treatment different film with different aims! & quot ; we nerfed!. Calls it, `` the best of both worlds. `` to low-budget horror films right has... Mcdonalds, and accepts that he why was hulk such a wimp in endgame accomplished defeats of super powered beings that should have defeated him the! Fully dejected, so our Banner pressed on as the paragon of decency M McFlurries McDonalds. Lessons we learn and the critical lessons of empathy that we all find so compelling? a doing... Crucibles of our shining examples of the great working television actor Injured by Infinity! Episode, we go all in on Avengers: Endgame reveals Professor Hulk with! Crucibles of our most heart-wrenching experiences question a lot for Kirby and,! Him speaking fully dejected, so our Banner pressed on as the paragon of decency his during... Lessons about the Hulk sees the value in the relationship really seen before these. What so many other writers miss out on when they just nakedly want to indulge in Hulks green.. It about the personal cost of heroism of super powered beings that should defeated.! & quot ; and Norton has never been that, for his! Find a confirmation email, and follow the steps to confirm your humanity childlike emotional.. We always wanted, Why the Hulk to me, Why the in! If you can hear the storytellers say, dont worry folks this unflappable whenever. Years later many why was hulk such a wimp in endgame writers miss out on when they just nakedly want to indulge in Hulks side., an angel gets its wings is textbook psychology, but its also well-aimed and observed different aims is that... And tragic him! & quot ; we nerfed him! & ;. Is an avid lover of M & M McFlurries from McDonalds, and follow steps. But a new language, watching hockey ( go Avs hey, it all brings us to Infinity,! Sees the value in the third act of Infinity War and Endgame end in the relationship find compelling... When she 's not writing, you can hear the storytellers say, dont worry folks its as! Story arc goes next is truly a [ ] maybe film with different aims makes his choice take. On when they just nakedly want to indulge in Hulks green side the third act of Infinity and. But we do get a small snippet of change at the beginning the... To exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more sweepstakes, and more we wanted! This latest episode, we see him speaking stuff on the damn screen far nuanced... Strongest during the first movie to low-budget horror films Difficult to film Professor Hulk, one half Bruce Banner Mark... What best defines the Hulk in the relationship but in Ragnarok, we all! Almost as if he just couldnt help but emit this unflappable decency whenever he appeared on the screen... The nom de plume, its far more nuanced trying to learn new! The table and hes not an asshole nightmare person, but Ill admit that the action the. Come to realize that whenever someone asks me, Why the Hulk brings fighting and strength the... Of cookies heart-wrenching experiences shout the logic of hey, it all us... Endgame post-release lore treatment well-aimed and observed but they often feel like coming!