Marvel Finally Delivers The MCU’s World War Hulk After Years Of Fan Demands

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for What If…? Season 3

For what feels like years, Marvel fans have discussed the possibility of a World War Hulk, with rumors appearing almost like clockwork every time a “scooper” wants to earn some delicious social media dollars. The persistence of that speculation may well point to something concrete, with the latest rounds suggesting 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World will actively set-up Bruce Banner’s first solo project in the MCU. But regardless of the legitimacy of anything posted by supposed insiders, it remains a travesty that we’ve never seen a World War Hulk adaptation in live-action.

We have already had an animated Planet Hulk, and World War Hulk was adapted into an episode of Avengers Assemble in 2016, but the excited whispers around the MCU’s official take on the popular Marvel Comics story have so far amounted to nothing. World War Hulk has been set-up in the MCU subtly, even if rights issues have so far stopped a solo Hulk movie from happening, but the MCU has now already offered a surprising take on the story, thanks to 2024’s final Marvel release.

What If Season 3 Reveals The MCU’s Version Of World War Hulk

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Fight A Vengeful Hulk In A Desperate Last Stand

The comics version of World War Hulk follows on from the events of Planet Hulk and the tragic death of Hulk’s wife thanks to the ship the Illuminati exiled him in exploding. A more powerful Hulk then vows vengeance against the Illuminati and Earth’s heroes, and wreaks havoc against waves of Earth’s mightiest defenders, taking out the New Avengers, The Fantastic Four, the US Army, and the Mighty Avengers with surprising ease.

The MCU’s approximation of World War Hulk is a typically loose adaptation, but is as close as we’ve ever come to Marvel Studios putting it on screen. There’s a vengeance plot, this time inspired by an attempt to destroy the Hulk, and the Avengers are defeated (with the Original MCU Avengers killed, in a brutal twist), and the threat of a Hulk with greater powers and his army of allies. The invading Hulk in this case is new Hulk villain The Apex, who is created by Bruce Banner’s own attempt to cure himself of the Hulk and destroy his alter-ego.

That attempt splits the demonic Apex off from Banner (who remains “infected” by the Hulk), and leads to a full-blooded assault on Earth. The planet’s heroes mount a defense aided by a battalion of new Hulkbuster armors built by Tony Stark, but Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Captain America are all killed in the first wave, before the Apex seemingly retreats. A second wave brings more of The Apex’s army of Gamma Beasts into play, and the New Avengers take a stand with the help of a unified Mighty Avenger mecha-suit.

Victory comes only when Banner mutates himself into a Mega Hulk and takes out The Apex himself. The specifics of the story are different, of course, but the story beats are close enough to World War Hulk to scratch the itch for any Marvel fans who feel unfulfilled. And it now feels even more disappointing that the MCU hasn’t yet got the wheels in motion on a live-action take on the story.

The Downside Of What If…?’s World War Hulk Story Repeats A Frustrating MCU Hulk Trend

Seriously, Just Give Us A Real Battle With The Avengers

Unfortunately, What If…? stops short of showing an actual battle between Banner’s Hulk and the Avengers, which has been flirted with several times in the MCU, but always ended up undelivered. The Avengers (2012) saw the rampage of Hulk on the SHIELD Helicarrier; Avengers: Age Of Ultron showed him fighting Iron Man in the Hulkbuster (but with the loophole of Hulk being under Scarlet Witch’s control); and Thor: Ragnarok saw him take on Thor on Sakaar, but a full Avengers battle has never materialized.

Rumors have long persisted that Hulk was intended to be the villain of The Avengers, with The Incredible Hulk‘s post-credits scene setting up Tim Roth’s Abomination as a member of the team. That never came to light, and the Helicarrier rampage was as close as we got, but the potential for Banner to fully Hulk out and take on his team-mates has remained compelling ever since. It’s just a shame even What If…? failed to adapt a more pure version of the story, despite having what amounts to free rein to do so.

It may not have been the best episode of What If…?, but the season 3 opener at least stoked the appetite for a real World War Hulk adaptation in future. Hopefully, Marvel decides to return to the idea for an upcoming Hulk movie in the MCU, especially now that Hulks are again part of the MCU’s rogues gallery.

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What If… ? is an animated anthology series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor, and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist. The show sees Uatu the Watcher, an omnipotent being that observes the events of multiple universes from afar as they unfold, unable to interfere. However, things shift when an entity peers beyond the veil, jeopardizing the multiverse. 

Release Date

August 11, 2021

Seasons

3

Writers

Ashley Bradley
, Matthew Chauncey

Showrunner

Ashley Bradley