Summary

Mark Ruffalo ’s Bruce Banner , a.k.a . theHulk , transformed into the Smart Hulk inAvengers : Endgame , and the timeline of his experiences prior to this explains exactly why this translation occur . After Edward Norton debuted as Bruce Banner in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk , Mark Ruffalo replaced him in theMCUfrom 2012’sThe Avengersonwards . Banner has been through huge changes since his MCU first appearance , exact him from the reasonless Hulk , to a establish Avenger , to a gladiator , and finally to the intelligent Smart Hulk . Some of these changes have been controversial , butBruce Banner ’s MCU timelinereveals why these happened .

WhileBruce Banner has only seen one solo MCU project , he has appeared in everyAvengerscrossover outcome , and has also made appearances inIron Man 3 , Thor : Ragnarok , Captain Marvel , Shang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandShe - Hulk : Attorney at Law . Banner continues to be one of the most ordered MCU torpedo , and is rumored to be involved in more major storyline , including Phase 6 ’s upcomingAvengersprojects and a potentialMCU adaptation ofWorld War Hulk . Banner has had an vivid history in the MCU , but his press - packed timeline has informed his more late , divisive decision .

The Marvel Cinematic Universe include several iteration of The Hulk , but who are they and who is the most powerful one ? We fracture it down .

Abomination, Bruce Banner, and The Hulk in the MCU.

Bruce Banner Experienced Age Of Ultron, Ragnarok & Infinity War In Only 1 Week

Marvel fans can accept that Hulk is fundamentally immortal , but Thor : Ragnarok may confirm that he ’s now hundred of thousands of twelvemonth one-time .

DuringThor : Ragnarok , the Hulk revert to Bruce Banner , but since the theatrical role were freestanding - with neither think the exploit of the other - Banner experienced the events ofAge of Ultrononly moments antecedently . before long after the Hulk serve Thor and the Revengers battle Hela on Asgard , the Mad Titan Thanos attacked their refugee ship , leading directly into theevents ofAvengers : Infinity War . Several days may have passed for Bruce Banner , butthe events of these three epic labor unfolded over a single week for Banner ’s human image , which surely had a major impact on the hero .

During 2019’sAvengers : Endgame , which take place five years afterInfinity War , Banner explained how he felt more guilt over losing to Thanos than any other Avenger . He noted that it was like he lost double , with the Hulk fail to defeat Thanos aboard the Asgardian refugee vas , and then again when Thanos collect the Infinity Stones and snapped his fingers . This underlined the disaster ofBanner ’s experience duringInfinity War , during which Banner struggled with the Hulk ’s refusal to connect the battle , but is made worse by the fact thatAvengers : Age of Ultronhad happened only moments earlier .

While Bruce Banner and the Hulk may have fall back twice inInfinity War , his recent experiences of not knowing how the Battle of Sokovia end , find himself trapped on Sakaar , and being ineffective to take down the mountain - sized Surtur on Asgard mean he really lost several times before fighting Thanos . This must have had an enormous striving on his power to function in his proper mind as a genius - level scientist or as a sinewy Avenger . However , the impingement of these experience may explain exactly why Banner ’s most controversial transformation come about inEndgame​​​​​​​ , as Banner ’s " Big Week " must have changed him .

Banner’s Big Week Answers Why He Wanted To Become Smart Hulk

The fact that Bruce Banner miss so much time being trapped as the Hulk , with him experiencingAge of Ultron , RagnarokandInfinity Warin only a calendar week , excuse why he becameSmart Hulk inAvengers : Endgame . Banner ’s changeless losses would have motivated him to combine his human and Hulk personalities , allowing him to utilize the full power of his brains and brawn in succeeding engagement . Hot on the heels of intense internal conflicts with the Hulk , as well as back - to - back battles with villain such as Ultron , Hela and Thanos , Bruce Banner ’s translation into SmartHulkactually make complete sense .

Movie Hulk Immortal Thousands of Years Old

John Cena as two versions of Christopher Smith in the Peacemaker season 2 trailer

A split image of Bruce Banner in Thor Ragnarok and Smart Hulk in Avengers Endgame

Thor, War Machine, Rocket, Bruce Banner, Black Widow, Captain America and dead Vision at the end of Avengers Infinity War

Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk about to wear the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers Endgame

Marvel Cinematic Universe