A new day brings a familiar force—Marvel’s green behemoth is set to smash back into theaters this summer. The Incredible Hulk, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, joins “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” on the big screen. Before donning your best purple attire and venturing to the cinema, make sure to watch the video above for essential insights on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s largest hero—both in size and presence.
The Hulk burst into the comic scene in 1962, thanks to the brilliant minds of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Introduced in “The Incredible Hulk” #1, Bruce Banner starts as a genius scientist with repressed emotions. An unexpected gamma bomb exposure transforms him into a mighty, rage-driven creature. With transformations sparked by his emotional state, Banner and the Hulk echo the classic tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, reimagined for the atomic age. Since then, the Hulk has become a cultural powerhouse, featuring extensively in comic books, a well-loved 1977 TV series, and a 2003 film by Oscar winner Ang Lee.
As one of the pioneering characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Hulk made his first MCU appearance in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” where Edward Norton played the titular role. Known for his unpredictable nature, he remains an integral, albeit chaotic, part of the Avengers ensemble. With “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” the Hulk marks his twelfth outing in this blockbuster series, and there’s no sign of him slowing down his smashing escapades.
The Hulk keeps transforming
Sony Pictures Releasing
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” picks up with Peter Parker (Tom Holland) following the dramatic events of 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” As he tries to restore balance after nearly fracturing the multiverse, Spider-Man returns to his roots of humble heroism. Yet, life’s challenges persist—his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is deceased, and his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) no longer remembers him, leaving him more isolated than ever. If battling foes like the Punisher (Jon Bernthal), Scorpion (Michael Mando), and a cadre of Hand ninjas weren’t enough, Spider-Man faces a mysterious transformation of his powers that threatens his very life.
Enter Bruce Banner. The “Brand New Day” trailer reintroduces the mild-mannered scientist, now teaching at a university and wearing a power-suppressing gauntlet. Peter seeks out Banner for help about his mutating DNA, but he gets more than he bargained for when Banner changes back into his rampaging alter-ego.
“Brand New Day” is just the latest transformation for the Hulk, who has undergone some amazing alterations in his nearly 20 years in the MCU. He has been a scientist, an Avenger, a gladiator on an alien world, a “Smart” amalgamation of Hulk and Banner, and even a cosmically enhanced “Infinity Hulk.” What other transformations are in store for the good doctor? With a brand-new day dawning, watch the video above for an incredible Hulk explainer.