Captain America: Brave New World made an important decision by connecting itself to The Incredible Hulk. It included characters like Thaddeus Ross (played by Harrison Ford) and Samuel Sterns (played by Tim Blake Nelson).
Even Betty Ross (played by Liv Tyler) had a small cameo. However, one major character from The Incredible Hulk was missing—Bruce Banner, also known as The Hulk.
Brave New World went through many re-shoots, yet Bruce Banner was never part of the plan. This is surprising because he was the main character of The Incredible Hulk.
Including Bruce Banner would have strengthened the journeys of Ross, Sterns, and Betty. Instead, the movie introduced new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph (played by Shira Haas) and Sidewinder (played by Giancarlo Esposito).
Sidewinder’s character seemed to suffer the most due to the re-shoots. Bruce Banner would have had a clear reason to be in Brave New World and could have played a major role in the story.
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Bruce Banner Could Have Made Ross and Sterns More Compelling
Bruce Banner’s presence would have made Ross and Sterns’ stories more meaningful. His relationship with them in The Incredible Hulk shaped their motivations. Including Bruce would have allowed the audience to see Ross in a more complex way.
Ross had spent years chasing Bruce, believing he was a dangerous threat. If Bruce had been part of Brave New World, he could have been a strong counterpoint to Sam Wilson’s perspective. Sam believes Ross has changed, but Bruce could have provided a different viewpoint, showing that Ross remains a dangerous figure.
Bruce’s presence could have also influenced how Sam interacts with Ross. Bruce had previously forgiven Emil Blonsky (played by Tim Roth), so he might have been willing to forgive Ross as well. However, Sam might not have been so quick to trust the President.
This would have added tension to the story. Ross’ past relationship with Bruce was important to his character. Including Bruce would have given a clearer picture of Ross’ history and the mistakes he is trying to move past.
Samuel Sterns, known as The Leader in Brave New World, also had a significant past with Bruce. In The Incredible Hulk, Sterns tried to help Bruce as “Mr. Blue.” This was the same name as the song used for mind control in Brave New World.
If Bruce and Sterns had interacted, it would have reminded the audience of Sterns’ history and the sympathy he once deserved. Without Bruce, The Leader felt like a simple villain rather than a fully developed character. His transformation into a super-intelligent antagonist was not as impactful as it could have been.
Betty Ross Needed Bruce Banner for Her Story to Work
Betty Ross’ role in Brave New World felt incomplete without Bruce. Her connection to her father, Thaddeus Ross, was strongly tied to her relationship with Bruce. In The Incredible Hulk, Betty’s story revolved around her love for Bruce and her conflict with her father. If Bruce had been in Brave New World, Betty’s decisions would have made more sense.
Without Bruce, Betty’s role seemed much weaker. In The Incredible Hulk, her relationship with Bruce was the emotional core of the film. If he had been in Brave New World, the audience could have seen the unresolved tension between Betty, Bruce, and Thaddeus Ross. Instead, Betty’s presence in the movie felt unnecessary. She was included, but her character’s journey was not given the attention it deserved.
The Incredible Hulk showed how Betty was torn between her love for Bruce and her loyalty to her father. In Brave New World, this conflict could have been shown further.
If Bruce had returned, it would have added depth to Betty’s decisions. Her struggle would have been more powerful, and her relationship with her father could have been developed in a more meaningful way.
Bruce Banner’s Absence Shows a Larger Problem in the MCU
The decision to leave Bruce Banner out of Brave New World raises questions about Marvel’s direction. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was praised for its well-structured story.
Every character had a clear role, and the themes of power and control were shown effectively. In contrast, Brave New World introduced characters like The Leader, Betty, and Ross but did not fully develop them.
The absence of Bruce Banner highlights a bigger issue. Marvel does not seem to have a clear plan for The Hulk in this new phase of the MCU. His son, introduced in She-Hulk, has been ignored. His history with Ross and Sterns was also overlooked.
If Bruce had been in Brave New World, he could have shown how Ross and Sterns’ past actions had changed him. Instead, the film only told the audience about their past rather than showing it through interactions.
Betty’s role suffered the most from Bruce’s absence. Her scene in the movie lacked emotional weight because it was not connected to her past with Bruce. The audience was left with an incomplete picture of her character’s struggles. Brave New World tried to connect to The Incredible Hulk but missed an important piece of the story.
Marvel had an opportunity to use Bruce Banner to make the film stronger. His relationships with Ross, Sterns, and Betty could have added depth and emotion.
However, without him, these characters felt disconnected from their pasts. Instead of showing how they had changed over time, the movie simply stated it. This made the story less engaging and less impactful.
Captain America: Brave New World Needed Bruce Banner
Bruce Banner’s absence in Captain America: Brave New World was a major missed opportunity. His history with Ross, Sterns, and Betty would have made the movie more compelling.
His presence could have created tension, added emotional depth, and strengthened character arcs. Without him, the film lacked a key connection to The Incredible Hulk.
Marvel’s decision to exclude Bruce Banner suggests uncertainty about The Hulk’s role in the MCU. He could have been an essential part of Brave New World, but instead, his absence weakened the story.
Betty’s appearance felt disconnected, The Leader lacked depth, and Ross’ past was not fully shown. If Marvel wants to build stronger stories, they need to give The Hulk a clear purpose in future films.
Captain America: Brave New World is now playing in theaters.
