Why the MCU Ignored the Epic Planet Hulk Story

I’ve expressed this point before and I’ll do so again: the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has underrepresented the character of Hulk for far too long, leaving me still annoyed that one of his most compelling comic book stories was largely adapted off-screen. The Hulk, a staple from Marvel Comics, deserves more than a supporting role in the MCU, which is not commensurate with his iconic status. It’s even more vexing to see him playing second violin to other characters, especially when he is virtually absent in a film that features traditional Hulk adversaries. Specifically, “Captain America: Brave New World.

Leaving Bruce Banner out of a film that introduced Red Hulk and the Leader is tough to swallow, suggesting that perhaps there won’t be another Hulk solo movie in the future. Although I cling to the faint possibility that a World War Hulk adaptation might still happen, it’s challenging to imagine how it could fit into the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe schedule. Moreover, it’s disappointing that they didn’t properly adapt the classic setup for World War Hulk, one of the greatest Hulk stories ever written.

Planet Hulk Is One Of The Marvel Hero’s Very Best Comic Stories

Hulk’s Character Was Fleshed Out Significantly

The Marvel Comics storyline known as “Planet Hulk” was first published in 2006 and came after a one-shot titled “New Avengers: Illuminati.” In this narrative, members of Marvel’s newly-formed council called the Illuminati, which included Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Mr. Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, and Professor X, tricked and exiled the Hulk from Earth. By trapping him in a spaceship bound for a safe alternative planet, they aimed to protect Earth from his potential danger. However, due to an accidental encounter with a wormhole, the Hulk was taken much farther than planned, landing on the war-torn planet of Sakaar, ruled by the tyrannical Red King.

By employing overpowering “control devices,” Hulk is compelled to engage in frequent battles with a diverse array of extraterrestrial beings, such as the Kronan, Korg, and Meik, the insectoid native of Sakaar. The strength of these devices can even subdue the Silver Surfer, who eventually assists Hulk and his allies in their escape. Later, Hulk encounters love in the form of Caiera, another Sakaaran resident, and leads a rebellion with her and the Warbound against the Red King. After successful revolt, Hulk is crowned as the new king. During his reign on Sakaar, Hulk and Caiera give birth to their son, named Skaar.

The storyline ‘Planet Hulk’ received broad admiration from both fans and comic book experts. This was particularly resonant among Hulk enthusiasts, who viewed it as an extensive examination of the character that moved beyond the usual portrayal of him as an unintelligent, rage-fueled monster. The reasons for his exile added depth to this exploration. Additionally, it evoked emotions as Hulk formed a family (only to lose them) and transitioned from being a liberator and superhero.

We Only Get To See A Tiny Bit Of The MCU’s Actual Planet Hulk Adaptation Before It Ends

Thor: Ragnarok Was A Loose Planet Hulk Adaptation

In “Planet Hulk”, some key events might seem familiar to Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans, but only briefly. Essentially, “Thor: Ragnarok” was a movie that loosely adapted the story of “Planet Hulk” within Thor’s ongoing narrative. Despite being one of the best MCU films in my opinion, it primarily centered around Thor. Notably, it was Thor who made friends with the live-action versions of Korg and Miek, characters significant in Hulk’s Marvel Comics lore.

In simpler terms, major events such as Hulk saving the planet from a tyrant ruler and his significant relationship with a Sakaaran resident were not fully addressed in the story. Despite being the champion of the Grandmaster, Hulk’s bond with Sakaar is not as strong as depicted in the comics. Instead of losing everything he cared for due to an explosion that killed millions, including his wife, Hulk decides to relinquish control back to Bruce Banner following a message from Black Widow. Thor plays a role in helping Banner leave Sakaar.

Skaar’s Introduction Makes Us Not Seeing Most Of The Planet Hulk MCU Story Even Wilder

Hulk Was Evidently Involved In More Than Just Fighting On Sakaar

It’s puzzling why so many significant events from the “Planet Hulk” run in Thor: Ragnarok aren’t mentioned earlier, considering that major happenings transpired during Hulk’s stay on Sakaar. Since time flows differently on Sakaar, it’s possible that Hulk spent a considerable amount of time there – perhaps years, even hundreds – before returning to Earth.

The show “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” vividly portrays the introduction of Hulk’s secret son, Skaar. I’m thrilled about this development since it seems the Marvel Cinematic Universe is delving into the “Planet Hulk” storyline. However, it also hints that a substantial part of Hulk’s Sakaar journey remains unexplored. Moreover, having a son isn’t something insignificant or common for Hulk. It’s quite fascinating to ponder, especially considering there was no hint of a romantic relationship on Sakaar that could have resulted in this situation, which wasn’t suggested in “Thor: Ragnarok”.

As a die-hard film enthusiast and avid Marvel Comics reader, I can’t help but notice the significant impact of Skaar’s arrival on the scene. In the vast Marvel universe, Skaar, Hulk’s son, has carved out quite a substantial role, so much so that he even got his own series titled “Skaar: Son of Hulk.” This was kickstarted after his debut in “World War Hulk #5“. This has sparked a flurry of speculation among fans, suggesting that an MCU adaptation of “World War Hulk” could very well be in the works, given Skaar’s pivotal role in that series. However, it’s also plausible that Marvel is simply introducing Skaar to expand their unique rendition of the Young Avengers, which, in a surprising twist from comic book tradition, is being orchestrated by Kamala Khan, better known as Ms. Marvel.

Why The MCU Didn’t Adapt Its Planet Hulk Story On-Screen

Marvel Studios Didn’t Hold Distribution Rights For Hulk

In contrast to many other mainstays of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Hulk’s relationship with Marvel Studios hasn’t been straightforward. For much of Hulk’s MCU journey, Universal held distribution rights for the character and had the first chance at any sequels to “The Incredible Hulk” or films featuring Hulk as a central figure. However, it appears that these rights were returned to Marvel Studios in 2023, which coincides with “The Incredible Hulk” becoming available on Disney+. Nevertheless, this situation seems to have discouraged Marvel Studios from producing a standalone Hulk film.

Regrettably, this situation prevented the full-fledged “Planet Hulk” movie within the Infinity Saga. Due to Marvel’s storyline progression, waiting until 2023 wouldn’t have been feasible since Hulk has transitioned into his Smart Hulk persona and new characters are taking the lead in the MCU. Consequently, “Thor: Ragnarok” served as the closest adaptation of “Planet Hulk,” but this also meant that Thor had to be the main focus instead of Hulk, his workplace comrade.

Despite Skaar’s appearance being hard to overlook, there’s a strong reason that certain fans, among them myself, are eagerly anticipating a “World War Hulk” adaptation. This expectation has been fueled by the recent introduction of the Leader and Red Hulk in “Captain America: Brave New World“. Given the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s fair to say that we are swamped with Hulks!

2025-05-05 00:10