“Marvel Confirms World War Hulk Will Kick Off MCU Phase 6, Featuring a Mind-Blowing Reunion of Past Hulks Including Edward Norton and Eric Bana”
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fandom, Marvel Studios has officially confirmed that World War Hulk will launch Phase 6, ushering in a new era with an unprecedented twist: the return of every cinematic Hulk incarnation, including Edward Norton and Eric Bana alongside Mark Ruffalo. This ambitious reunion promises to blend nostalgia, multiversal madness, and the green goliath’s most epic tale yet. As fans reel from the news, let’s dive into what this means for the MCU, the Hulk’s legacy, and the blockbuster to come.
World War Hulk: Phase 6’s Explosive Opener
The announcement, reportedly dropped at a closed-door industry event, positions World War Hulk as the cornerstone of Phase 6, following the Multiverse Saga’s climax in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Secret Wars (2027). Inspired by the 2007 comic storyline by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr., World War Hulk sees Bruce Banner return to Earth as a vengeful juggernaut, seeking retribution against the Illuminati—Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Doctor Strange, and Black Bolt—for banishing him to space. It’s a tale of rage, betrayal, and city-smashing chaos, perfectly suited to kick off a new MCU chapter.
“Phase 6 starts with a bang—World War Hulk is greenlit,” a supposed insider teased. “And it’s bringing every Hulk we’ve seen into the fold.” A post-Secret Wars reset could see the multiverse stabilized, only for Hulk to shatter the peace. With Doomsday and Secret Wars wrapping up multiversal threads, this film might shift focus to Earth-bound epics—or tie lingering variants into a cohesive rampage. Either way, a Hulk-led opener signals Marvel’s intent to pivot from cosmic sprawl to primal power.
The Hulk Trinity: Norton, Bana, and Ruffalo Unite
The real jaw-dropper is the casting coup: Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk, 2008), Eric Bana (Hulk, 2003), and Mark Ruffalo (the MCU’s current Banner since 2012’s The Avengers) will all appear. “Every Hulk is back—Norton, Bana, Ruffalo,” the leak confirmed. “It’s a multiversal mash-up fans won’t see coming.” This trio spans 20 years of Hulk history, bridging pre-MCU films with the modern saga in a way only the multiverse can.
Ruffalo’s Hulk has evolved from a reluctant hero to a Smart Hulk hybrid by Endgame, but She-Hulk: Attorney at Law hinted at untapped rage still simmering. Norton’s brooding, fugitive Banner from The Incredible Hulk—Marvel’s first MCU-adjacent stab—left fans wanting more, while Bana’s introspective, tragic take from Ang Lee’s Hulk remains a cult classic. Reuniting them could mean variants clashing or teaming up, each bringing their era’s flavor to the fray. “Norton and Bana with Ruffalo? My childhood’s colliding,” an X fan gushed.
How the Multiverse Makes It Work
The multiverse, cracked open by Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home, is the glue. Deadpool & Wolverine already pulled Hugh Jackman’s Logan into the MCU via variants; World War Hulk could do the same. Picture this: Ruffalo’s Hulk, post-exile, returns to Earth, only to face Norton’s gritty fugitive and Bana’s tortured beast—pulled from their timelines by a multiversal rift or Doctor Doom’s fallout from Secret Wars. “What if they’re all banished together, then fight back as a Hulk army?” an X user speculated.
The comics’ World War Hulk pits Banner against the Illuminati, but the MCU could twist it: multiple Hulks, each with a grudge, targeting a reformed hero council. Or perhaps they’re unwilling pawns in a larger scheme—say, a villain like The Leader (reintroduced in Captain America: Brave New World) manipulating their rage. The possibilities are as wild as Hulk’s temper.
The Nostalgia Factor
Bringing back Norton and Bana taps a deep well of fan nostalgia. Norton’s Incredible Hulk—despite its rocky reception—laid MCU groundwork, with its Abomination fight and Tony Stark cameo. Bana’s Hulk, though outside canon, wowed with early-2000s CGI and a psychological edge. Ruffalo’s tenure, from Avengers to She-Hulk, ties it all to the present. “Seeing Norton again is unreal—he deserved more,” an X post cheered. Another added, “Bana’s Hulk was my first—Phase 6 just got personal.”
This isn’t just fan service; it’s a flex. Marvel’s weaving its messy Hulk history into a multiversal tapestry, honoring every take while pushing forward. Ruffalo, 57, could pass the torch—or share it—while Norton, 55, and Bana, 56, get redemption arcs fans have craved.
Phase 6’s Bold New Dawn
Phase 6—post-Secret Wars—is a blank slate. With Kang sidelined and Doom looming, World War Hulk could reset the tone: less cosmic sprawl, more grounded fury. The Illuminati’s MCU debut (teased in Multiverse of Madness) might frame Hulk’s revenge, pitting him against Strange, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), and a returning Tony variant (per Downey’s hints). A three-Hulk twist adds chaos—imagine Norton’s Banner outsmarting Strange while Bana’s smashes Reed.
The film’s scale could rival Endgame’s battles—New York leveled, heroes scattered, Hulks roaring. “Phase 6 starting with World War Hulk and all three? Marvel’s cooking,” an X fan raved. It might also tie to Captain America: Brave New World (2025), where Red Hulk’s debut sets up a gamma-charged era.
Challenges and Hopes
Pulling this off isn’t easy. Norton famously clashed with Marvel over Incredible Hulk’s creative control—would he return? Bana’s Hulk feels dated; can it mesh? Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk might need to “un-smart” for the rage-fest fans expect. “Three Hulks sound dope, but don’t mess up the vibe,” an X plea warned. A director like Matt Reeves or the Russos could balance the trio’s tones—gritty, tragic, modern—into a cohesive smash.
Fans hope for comic nods: Hulk’s gladiator armor, the Warbound, a Sakaar flashback. “Give us the green scar and all three tearing it up,” one demanded. A runtime pushing two-and-a-half hours could fit the sprawl.
A Hulk-Sized Legacy
As of March 06, 2025, this confirmation—yet to be officially stamped by Marvel—has X ablaze. “Norton and Bana back? Phase 6 is wild,” one tweeted. “World War Hulk with all Hulks? I’m losing it,” another cried. If true, it’s a love letter to Hulk’s cinematic past and a bold leap forward, proving Marvel can honor legacy while breaking new ground.
World War Hulk as Phase 6’s opener, with Ruffalo, Norton, and Bana, isn’t just a film—it’s a gamma-charged event. The MCU’s about to get angrier, greener, and bigger than ever.
