Marvel Studios clearly has massive intentions for the Hulk, and this is becoming more and more obvious. A significant role for Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is anticipated in the upcoming She-Hulk Disney+ series. In that series, Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany), the cousin of the Hulk with equal superpowers, was introduced. Thus, She-Hulk’s appearance suggests that Marvel intends to develop the Hulk’s stories further. However, She-Hulk wasn’t the only Hulk-focused project that Marvel Studio is reportedly working on at the moment. It is stated that their mysterious World War Hulk project is a movie version of the World War Hulk comic book plot. And also, it has been believed to be in the works for months. Even though Marvel hasn’t officially confirmed the project, comic book lovers are nevertheless interested in the rumors.

Marvel Studios might be getting a little bit closer to offering audiences a true live-action World War Hulk movie. After appearing as a co-star in several MCU films, Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the Jade Giant is reported to star in a World War Hulk movie. If this report is accurate, World War Hulk might appear in either Phase 4 or Phase 5 of the MCU.

Does Marvel have the rights to the character?

The character’s film rights were one of the main issues that prevented Marvel Studios from creating a Hulk-centric feature movie. The last Hulk film, The Incredible Hulk from 2008, was produced under the rights of Universal Pictures. The idea was that if Marvel decided to work on a movie with the Hulk as the lead, the studio would have to divide the earnings with Universal. However, the rumor that World War Hulk will debut in 2022 suggests that Universal may have lost the rights, in which case Marvel would regain control of the character. Another illustration is the slate of Netflix street-level characters (Daredevil, Punisher, Kingpin, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist) who have now returned to Marvel after regaining their rights from the streamers.

What would be the Storyline

Marvel’s World War Hulk storyline came on the heels of Planet Hulk, which took the gamma-radiated hero to space. Fans had a hint of that in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017 when the Hulk fought the God of Thunder on Sakaar. World War Hulk, Bruce Banner’s alter ego, returned to Earth with the intention of exacting revenge on his fellow superheroes who had attempted to exile him to space.

Mark Ruffalo will play the role of Bruce Banner/Hulk once more in the She-Hulk Disney+ series. Tatiana Maslany is playing Jennifer Walters, the cousin of the Hulk. And, Tim Roth is back as Abomination from Incredible Hulk. Unexpected cameos by Bruce Banner and Abomination in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings serve as proof of how the MCU is all interconnected.

Perhaps World War HULK has already begun

When Bruce Banner transformed into the intelligent and talkative Smart Hulk in the Avengers: Endgame, Hulk fans were understandably upset and confused about what was happening to their beloved smashing superhero. But a shell of the big green baddie who wanted nothing to do with “Hulk Smash!” At this point, World War Hulk was the last thing on fans’ minds.

It’s not liked an explanation for why Banner and the Hulk combined weren’t planned. Fans were forced to accept a quick summary provided by Banner/Smart Hulk in Endgame. “Eighteen months in the gamma lab, I put the brains and the brawn together, and now look at me. Best of both worlds”.

Then came up Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ unexpected mid-credits scene. Shang-Chi, Katy, Wong, Carol Danvers, and Bruce Banner were all present at this. What was most significant about it was that Banner showed up in this scene as himself, not as the green giant from the earlier movie. Is it possible? If so, would it? Were there ideas brewing in the back rooms of Marvel to start pointing fans in the direction of a World War Hulk?

Rumors about World War Hulk

Of course, there are no clear plans for World War Hulk. In Fact, She-Hulk and a few startling rumors are really all we have going here. Here is what we currently know, nothing is close to being confirmed.

In a recent 4chan conversation, an anonymous user made a post about the potential path Marvel could be going with World War Hulk. This user claims that World War Hulk will take place, but there will be two films instead of just one. Hulk is searching for his son Skaar in space in the first movie. The movie will detail the whys and hows of the Hulk’s return to Earth.

Several MCU heroes, including She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, War Machine, Yelena Belova, Sersi, Black Knight, and a few others, will be returned in the second movie. Additionally, according to this user, not all heroes survive to face Hulk at the movie’s conclusion. Additionally, according to this user, not all heroes survive to face Hulk at the movie’s conclusion.

That’s a lot to take in right there. If this massive event is true, it is going to need a bit more to set up to make happen. So far, there has been no indication that Banner/Hulk needs to go. Will that happen in the course of the She-Hulk series? Is this the starting point for Marvel to create the foundation for a future World War Hulk movie? It would the perfect opportunity. All we can do is wait and hope.