The Avengers: Infinity War had an epic opening featuring Thanos destroying the Asgardians, capturing Thor, and murdering both Loki and Heimdall.
The Asgardians also happened to have a Hulk, but as we saw, Thanos made quick work of the Green Goliath, which then saw the Hulk go seemingly into hiding for the rest of the movie.
If I had to pick one thing that really bugged me about The Avengers: Infinity War, it was that there was no Hulk. I also didn’t like how Thanos basically embarrassed the Hulk, but I was pretty much okay with it because of Thor: Ragnarok, which saw Marvel Studios and Taika Waititi butcher the epic “Planet Hulk” storyline from the comics.
So following the Hulk getting his butt whipped by Thanos, I figured the Hulk was just too scared to come out; however, the Russo brothers offer a different explanation (that I don’t agree with at all).
“I think people have interpreted it as Hulk’s scared. I mean, certainly, that’s not a… I don’t know that the Hulk is ever… he’s had his ass kicked before, and he loves a good fight. But I think that it’s really reflective of the journey from Ragnarok,” Joe Russo explained to MTV. “These two characters are constantly in conflict with each other over control. And I think that if the Hulk were to say why, it’d be Banner only wants Hulk for fighting. I think he’s had enough of saving Banner’s ass.”
So Joe Russo’s argument is that the Hulk doesn’t come out because the Hulk is tired of being used by Banner only for fights? And that the Hulk wants to make a point to Banner about that?
Eh… That’s a pretty weak argument in my book.
The reason I think it’s weak is because of the magnitude of the threats in Infinity War. In the comics, the Hulk would never let anything happen to Banner, because it threatens the Hulk himself. Banner can’t even commit suicide because the Hulk wouldn’t let him. I suppose an argument could be made that Banner wasn’t really in a life-and-death situation in Infinity War as he had Iron Man, Doctor Strange and Wong protecting him, as well as the Hulkbuster Iron Man Armor, but it’s a rather weak argument. I also feel we got robbed seeing Hulk vs Cull Obsidian, but again this is if I’m being super nitpicky.
So if I’m being nitpicky I would ask: And when is the Hulk one to turn down a fight? And this is the same Hulk from Thor: Ragnarok that acts like an 18-month old, yet is smart enough to try and get even with Banner? The same Hulk that fought in the Gladiator Arena for two years while Banner was away? I think I like the thought of the Hulk being afraid of Thanos explanation better.
What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below.
