Spider-Man: Brand New Day will see the return of not only Bruce Banner but the Hulk himself. With rumors of the Hulk becoming Gray Hulk within this movie, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic return for a character that truly hasn’t been used greatly since Endgame.
1. Bruce has finally become the mentor figure he was meant to be
Since Endgame, we have seen Bruce and Hulk as one, as Smart Hulk. We haven’t seen the Hulk go on a rampage, and after the latest trailer, we get to see this. However, in this movie, we could see that Bruce has the balance that he has missed for years, and this could serve as a mentor figure for Peter, especially if Hulk remembers who Peter truly is.
2. It shows how much he has grown since Endgame
The Bruce we last saw in Endgame was comfortable in his own skin for the first time. Earlier appearances were defined by rage, guilt, fear, and self-doubt. This current version of the character is someone who has accepted every part of himself. Bringing him back within Spider-Man allows Marvel to explore the next stage of his journey, rather than repeating the usual “man vs monster”.
3. A unique dynamic with Peter Parker
Peter and Bruce share a lot in common. Both are brilliant scientists who carry immense responsibility and have experienced significant personal loss. Bruce can relate to Peter that probably the only person in this current time can, especially with Peter’s world-changing sacrifice. Their interaction can provide emotional depth while also delivering some fun science-focused teamwork.
4. Reconnecting Spider-Man to the wider MCU
Following the end of No Way Home, Peter has been isolated from nearly everyone he once knew. Having Bruce return helps build the bridge between Spider-Man’s storyline and the MCU that had forgotten him. It reminds audiences that Peter still exists within a world filled with heroes, while keeping the focus on his personal story.
In short, Bruce’s return isn’t exciting simply because he’s the Hulk; it’s exciting because he’s one of the MCU’s most developed characters. The frightened scientist from the Incredible Hulk has become a confident hero who has finally made peace with himself, making this the perfect time for him to cross paths with Spider-Man once again.
