Following nearly twenty years of the Hulk’s adventures within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the comments from The Incredible Hulk‘s director have sparked renewed interest in the idea of transforming the Hulk into a villain for the Avengers. Over this extensive timeline of 17 years, the character arcs of the original Avengers have dramatically evolved, particularly evident in the transformation of the Hulk into his Smart Hulk persona. As one of Marvel’s most celebrated characters, the Hulk plays a crucial role within the MCU; however, the portrayal of the character has elicited mixed reactions from audiences throughout this period.
While the Hulk has certainly delivered iconic moments within the MCU, his limited appearances—primarily featuring in Avengers films and alongside other heroes—have sometimes hindered the exploration of his full potential. Given this context, the suggestion from The Incredible Hulk’s director that the Hulk could serve as a villain in The Avengers seems particularly intriguing in hindsight, especially regarding how it could have reshaped his narrative trajectory.
The Incredible Hulk’s Director Proposed a Villainous Turn for the Hulk Long Before The Avengers’ Release
Lois Leterrier Proposed a Fascinating Scenario for the Hulk
The Incredible Hulk made its debut in 2008, setting the stage for the subsequent Avengers film in 2012. As anticipation built within the public for this monumental crossover, discussions surrounding how the Hulk and the other iconic heroes would fit into the ensemble were prevalent. Given the varied portrayals of the Hulk over the years, it remained uncertain how Marvel would adapt this complex character to work alongside other heroes on-screen.
Director Lois Leterrier shared his thoughts on how the franchise could have evolved in a 2008 interview with MTV News. He expressed a desire to see the Hulk transition into a villain:
“I would love to see [the Hulk become the villain that fights the Avengers] because I think the best villains are always the ones whose agenda you understand… They’re not synthetic to us in a way; they’re not these one dimensional bad guys.”
“That’s why I left the door open for whoever’s going to direct ‘The Avengers’ with our last shot. Edward and I, we consciously decided to make the last shot of the movie when he opens his eyes and he smirks at the camera… Is he enjoying it? Is he malicious? That’s what’s great about Edward. You don’t know if he’s a good guy or bad guy. He’s always on this edge and we’ve been sort of surfing that edge throughout the entire movie.”
“So that last shot of the movie, if you decide that he’s smiling, in control, then he’s a good guy, that’s ‘The Hulk 2’… If Hulk is a failure, then he looks up and smirks and that’s eventually the Hulk of the Avengers — the uncontrollable beast that they need to team up to stop.“
This starkly contrasts with the character’s role in the final Avengers storyline, where, despite his unpredictable temperament and violent outbursts, the Hulk is quickly embraced as a crucial member of the team rather than being positioned as a true antagonist. Reflecting upon Leterrier’s comments now reveals a compelling alternate narrative, one that could have significantly diversified Hulk’s arc throughout the MCU.
A Villainous Hulk Could Have Revolutionized His MCU Narrative
The Hulk’s Potential as an Antagonist Could Have Enhanced His Character Arc
The Hulk’s internal struggle—especially Bruce Banner’s battle with his alter ego—serves as a focal point in The Avengers narrative, leading to Banner’s eventual evolution into Smart Hulk. While the film hints at the Hulk’s potential to become a genuine threat, these moments primarily function to inject tension and caution into the team dynamics rather than contributing to the overarching storyline.
Had the Hulk been portrayed as a villain from the outset, perhaps stepping in as the main antagonist or as an opposing force to the Avengers, the dynamics could have shifted dramatically. Exploring the Hulk at his most dangerous—actively confronting the Avengers—could have highlighted his formidable power and menace in a manner that the narrative never fully achieved, despite several allusions.
Beginning the Hulk’s journey in the MCU as a foe facing the Avengers would have enriched his character arc, allowing him to embody more of an antihero role. This portrayal might have deepened his character beyond the typical contexts of comic relief or brute force. There’s also room for a compelling justification for his eventual alliance with the Avengers, paralleling Loki’s mind control narrative, ensuring that the Hulk could transition back into a team player.
This direction would set the stage for iconic Hulk stories like a potential adaptation of World War Hulk, clearly demonstrating from the beginning that the character functions both as a fierce adversary and a heroic ally. It could explore how the Hulk’s protective instincts towards himself and Banner could result in violent consequences. Even if this approach might not have guaranteed an unequivocally superior Hulk narrative, the restrained interpretation seen in the MCU makes the notion of an initial villain arc all the more captivating.
The Hopes for a Villain Hulk Story May Be Diminishing, Reflecting on His Missed Opportunities as an Antagonist
The Avengers Presented the Optimal Opportunity to Showcase the Hulk as a True Antagonist
The Avengers was designed to showcase a coalition of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, which understandably led to a portrayal of the Hulk as a multifaceted character who, despite his complexities, remains aligned with the other heroes. However, with the Hulk’s narrative spanning 17 years and remaining somewhat constrained compared to his comic origins, the opportunity to leverage pivotal moments—like his rampage on the Helicarrier—could have added significant depth and dramatic flair to his overall storyline.
Considering the evolution of the Hulk through subsequent Avengers films, which introduced various villains and laid the groundwork for Thanos’ rise, it seems The Avengers held the most potential to articulate a different facet of the Hulk’s character following The Incredible Hulk. Although this approach would have charted a distinctly different course for the Hulk’s story within the MCU, it could still encompass similar developments, ultimately creating a richer narrative fabric and making Banner’s journey towards inner peace much more compelling.