For a movie that’s filled with fan service and memorable moments, it came as a surprise that Avengers: Endgame totally failed one of Marvel’s most important heroes, the Hulk. The fourth Avengers movie and the final film in the Infinity Saga did a lot of things right in terms of its characters, but its handling of the Hulk was by far its weakest element.

In the opening act of Avengers: Infinity War, the Hulk was brutally beaten by Thanos. For the rest of the movie, the Hulk refused to participate in the fighting, forcing Bruce Banner to remain in control. After the time-skip in Avengers: Endgame, it was revealed that Banner had found a way to balance both personalities. In becoming Smart Hulk, Banner was able to transform into the Hulk while retaining his own personality and intelligence. As Smart Hulk, Banner played a key role in defeating Thanos by using Tony Stark’s makeshift Infinity Gauntlet to reverse the Snap.

How Avengers: Endgame treats the Hulk is one of the movie’s biggest flaws. The creation of Smart Hulk effectively removes the character that fans love from the film. Essentially, what Endgame does with Hulk is put Banner in Hulk’s body. The character of the Hulk is nowhere to be found. This is understandably a disappointment to Hulk fans, especially considering how Infinity War left things with the character. Bruce Banner’s struggle with Hulk not wanting to fight was one of the movie’s many loose ends, so there was a belief that Endgame would resolve this story in a satisfying way.

The directors stressed that putting Banner in the Hulkbuster armor in Infinity War was their way of giving Banner his chance to be a hero, and by turning him into Smart Hulk, Marvel doubled down on this direction for the character, rather than moving away from it and giving Hulk an opportunity to shine instead. Smart Hulk was Marvel’s idea of resolution for both characters, but this decision represents a fundamental problem for both Infinity War and Endgame, particularly because it happens off-screen. It shows that Marvel gravely misunderstood what fans want from Bruce Banner and the Hulk.

The Hulk is easily one of Marvel’s most beloved characters. His unmatched strength, child-like personality, and quick temper are all qualities that Hulk’s fanbase appreciate about the Green Goliath, who has headlined his own comic for over half a century. Over the years, the “Hulk” name has sold numerous toys and other merchandise. He’s also the subject of cartoons and a live-action TV series. As his human alter ego, it goes without saying that Bruce Banner will always be a vital part of the Hulk, but it’s the Hulk himself that audiences expect to see on the big screen.

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