The Evolution Of The Hulk
Bruce Banner was just your everyday super-genius scientist. But after being exposed to gamma radiation, he transforms into the monstrous green Hulk when angered. Here’s a look at his live-action evolution:
Bruce Banner first appears in the television series The Incredible Hulk, where he’s named David for some reason. As he searches for a cure to his Hulk affliction, he’s pursued by a nosy reporter. When transformed, he appears as a tall, muscular man in green paint, with an exaggerated brow and a straight-haired wig. After the series, this Hulk would appear in three TV movies.
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
In the first film, the Hulk teams up with Thor to battle generic bad guys. The film also attempts to pave the way for a Thor spinoff series, which never happens.
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
This sequel features a bearded David Banner, though his beard disappears when he transforms into the Hulk. In this film, Hulk teams up with Daredevil to take on the crime boss Kingpin. There were also hopes for a Daredevil spinoff series, but it never materializes.
The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990)
In the final film, Banner tracks down a spy agency. As the Hulk, he attacks their plane, but in the explosion, he falls to earth and succumbs to his wounds.
Hulk (2003)
Hulk’s feature film debut showcases a younger Bruce Banner, who unleashes a baby-faced, overly saturated Hulk. He grows larger the angrier he becomes, ultimately reaching over 15 feet tall. After battling his element-absorbing father, the government attempts to nuke them both. His father is defeated, but Bruce survives and escapes to South America.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The MCU reboot begins with Bruce Banner being hunted by the government in South America. When provoked, he unleashes a more yellowish, veiny Hulk, this time standing at around 9 feet tall. He defeats the DNA-spliced Abomination and hides away in Canada, trying to control his anger and live peacefully.
The Avengers (2012)
In The Avengers, Banner looks completely different. His Hulk form is less yellowish and veiny, with added chest hair, rounder facial features, a five o’clock shadow, and a more slouched stance. He teams up with fellow superheroes to save humanity from Loki, the “puny god.”
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Hulk now sports stretchy purple pants and more exaggerated facial features. Under mind control, he attacks civilians, only to be stopped by Tony Stark’s Hulkbuster suit. He helps destroy intelligent robots, but then flies off into space, despite his girlfriend’s pleas for him to stay.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
In Thor: Ragnarok, the Hulk is living on the junk planet Sakaar with a new haircut, upright stance, and more human-like facial features. He dons shiny gladiator armor to fight Thor, and later helps save the Asgardians from Thor’s sister Hela and her giant wolf. They then return to Earth on a ship.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Thanos boards their ship, and the Hulk battles him but loses. For the rest of the film, Bruce Banner can’t bring out his green alter-ego, so he uses Tony Stark’s Hulkbuster suit in the battle against Thanos.
What will the Hulk look like in the next Avengers movie? Maybe he’ll sport a mohawk and leather jacket, or perhaps She-Hulk will step in, if she hasn’t been snapped away by Thanos.
