Why Bruce Banner Didn’t Appear in Captain America: Brave New World—And Why It Makes Sense

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become known for its intricate web of character connections, with superheroes and villains crossing paths across multiple films and TV series. So when Captain America: Brave New World was revealed to feature several characters from The Incredible Hulk, fans naturally wondered whether Bruce Banner, played by Mark Ruffalo, would also make an appearance. After all, the film brought back General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (now played by Harrison Ford), Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), and even included a cameo from Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). With so many ties to the 2008 Hulk film, why was its titular hero left out?

Director Julius Onah recently addressed this question, and his reasoning makes a lot of sense. While Bruce Banner’s presence in Brave New World might have been exciting for fans, Onah’s decision to keep the focus squarely on Sam Wilson’s Captain America ensures the film stays true to its intended narrative.

Keeping the Spotlight on Sam Wilson

Since his introduction in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has been a steadfast ally of Steve Rogers. After The Falcon and the Winter Soldier saw him officially take up the Captain America mantle, Brave New World serves as his first cinematic outing in the role. According to Onah, including Bruce Banner—especially in a film that already features high-profile characters like Red Hulk—could have overshadowed Sam’s journey.

“Well, I think at the end of the day, and I’m happy it landed where it did—this is Sam’s story,” Onah explained in an interview with The Playlist. “This is Sam’s first cinematic adventure as Captain America. And you want it to be about Sam leaning into his superpower to overcome the odds. So, you pull in Banner—as great as Mark Ruffalo is and as exciting as it would be to have him—and suddenly, the focus shifts away from Sam.”

Onah makes a valid point. Hulk is one of the most powerful characters in the MCU, and had he been present in Brave New World, his involvement in the final battle could have diminished Sam’s moment. Instead of seeing Sam Wilson, a hero without superhuman strength, strategize and push himself to defeat Red Hulk, audiences might have watched Bruce Banner take center stage. While that might have made for an entertaining spectacle, it would have taken away from Sam’s story, which is ultimately about proving himself as the new Captain America.

A More Inventive Battle Without Hulk

Beyond maintaining Sam’s spotlight, Hulk’s absence also forced Brave New World to get creative in how it handled the final confrontation with Red Hulk. Instead of relying on brute strength to take down General Ross in his monstrous form, Sam had to use his intellect, his skills as a counselor, and his Wakandan-engineered wingsuit to tire out Red Hulk, ultimately reverting Ross back to normal.

This approach allowed Brave New World to emphasize the very things that make Sam Wilson’s Captain America unique. Unlike Steve Rogers, who had superhuman abilities, Sam has always relied on strategy, heart, and perseverance. Having Hulk swoop in to exchange blows with Red Hulk would have undercut this thematic element, making Sam’s victory feel less significant.

The Unfinished Business of Bruce Banner’s Incredible Hulk Connections

Even though it makes sense why Bruce Banner was left out of Brave New World, there’s still an open question about his lingering connections to The Incredible Hulk. The 2008 film is often treated as the “forgotten” MCU entry, largely due to Edward Norton originally playing Banner before Mark Ruffalo took over the role in The Avengers. Despite this, the film introduced important characters, many of whom have returned in recent projects.

We saw Emil Blonsky, a.k.a. The Abomination (Tim Roth), pop up in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Now, Brave New World has continued that trend by bringing back Samuel Sterns, who finally becomes The Leader, and Betty Ross, whose fate had been left ambiguous for years. Yet Bruce Banner, the one character who shared history with all of these individuals, remains absent.

For fans who have long wanted a proper continuation of The Incredible Hulk story arc, this exclusion is disappointing. A brief interaction between Banner and Betty, or even some acknowledgment of his past with General Ross, could have gone a long way in tying up loose ends. Instead, it seems like Marvel Studios is saving these interactions for another project—perhaps the long-rumored World War Hulk film.

Could World War Hulk Be Next?

If Brave New World wasn’t the right place for Bruce Banner’s return to his Incredible Hulk roots, then World War Hulk would be the perfect opportunity. This rumored film has yet to be officially confirmed by Marvel Studios, but if it happens, it could finally give fans the long-awaited reunion between Banner, Betty Ross, and even a showdown with Red Hulk. It could also explore Banner’s role in the larger MCU, especially after his last appearance in She-Hulk, where he introduced his son, Skaar.

For now, while some fans may be disappointed by Bruce Banner’s absence in Captain America: Brave New World, Julius Onah’s reasoning is understandable. Sam Wilson needed this movie to establish himself as Captain America without relying on more powerful heroes to step in. It also allowed for a fresh and inventive final battle, reinforcing why Sam deserves to carry the shield. That said, Bruce Banner’s history with characters from The Incredible Hulk still needs resolution, and hopefully, the MCU will provide that closure in the near future.