*This article contains spoilers related to various MCU movies including the Avengers: Endgame*
So ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ has already been released then. It hit the screens on 26 April 2019. The finale to the epic superhero saga forces Marvel fans to grapple with a lot of tough questions. We have seen many characters develop throughout the series. One of them is the incredible ‘Hulk’.
Hulk was introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) in the very second film ‘The Incredible Hulk’. The film was released in 2008. It featured the origin story of Hulk, how a renowned scientist Bruce Banner becomes a green monster when exposed to gamma radiation emanating from a failed attempt to recreate the “super soldier” program. This caused Banner to transform into the Hulk whenever his heart rate struck 200. The movie depicted how helpless Banner was as he could not control the green monster. Eventually, Hulk leaves New York for the betterment of the city. In post-credit scenes, Banner and Stark were shown having a conversation regarding the ‘Avengers’.
Meanwhile, he went into exile and dedicated his time to aid the sick and poor. He became the founding member of ‘Avengers’ when SHIELD recruited him to defeat Loki and his Chitauri army. The 2012 movie showed Hulk was an important asset to the team. He had both specialized scientific expertise and super strength whenever required.
In the Avengers sequel, Bruce Banner was seen assisting Stark to create Ultron. It was an artificial intelligence programmed to protect Earth. Later, he even helped him to create Vision and transformed into Hulk in order to defeat the malfunctioned Ultron.
After defeating Ultron, Hulk took a Quinjet and left Earth. He entered a wormhole and crashed on the planet Sakaar. He stayed there for at least two years and became a gladiator for Grandmaster. Eventually, Thor met him in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ when he unknowingly landed into Sakaar. Thor met Hulk in the Battle Arena. They had a fierce battle. Hulk was informed by Thor that Asgard was under threat due to Hela’s return. Hulk defeated Fenris and boarded the flight with other Asgardians when finally Ragnarok was unleashed.
On their way back to Earth, they were attacked by the Black Order and Thanos. Hulk was teleported to Earth by Heimdall, where he informed others about Thanos’ arrival. He was unable to transform into the Hulk due to the trauma caused by Thanos. He fought in the Battle of Wakanda wearing the Hulkbuster Armour. Despite, Thanos snaps his finger to wipe out half of the universe. Bruce Banner survives.
Five years later, Banner has managed to control his alter ego. He has started living as Professor Hulk. He now has a mild and calm character with a monstrous physique. He wears shirts, sweaters and large glasses. He agrees to help by creating the time machine. Stark joins him and they succeed. Hulk travels back to 2012, where he meets the Ancient One and tries to get the Time Stone from her. Hulk somehow convinces her and brings it back. They recreate the Infinity Gauntlet. Hulk being the most powerful Avenger uses it to bring the disappeared half back. He snaps and is successful, but in the process, he faints and damages his hand badly.
Eventually, after defeating Thanos, Hulk is shown working with the time machine. He sends Captain America back in time to place the infinity stones in their respective time space.
Avengers: Endgame deals with time travel and the quantum realm. It makes us think more and more about it. The movie does not deal with the science behind time travel and various paradoxes. Hulk’s dialogue “Your past becomes your future” dismisses all the typical enigmas about time travel. It makes us think less and enjoy the movie even more. The film’s final shot of Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter living in happy bliss proves that the Hulk knows what he was talking about.