How the Hulk Was Created in the MCU: Origin and Evolution Explained

The origin story of the MCU’s Hulk, a pivotal member of the Avengers, is largely left out of the movies. Although Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Hulk is a major aspect of his persona, Marvel Studios hasn’t given much information about what happened before his Gamma-powered creation was created, primarily because of joint rights with Universal Pictures. Nevertheless, there are hints about the Hulk’s past in ‘The Incredible Hulk’ (2008) and other MCU events.

According to General Ross in ‘The Incredible Hulk’, the US government had been trying in vain to replicate Captain America’s Super Soldier serum. Brilliant scientist Bruce Banner, who holds several PhDs, suggested utilizing gamma radiation to improve the project. 

Image Courtesy: Marvel.com

Under pressure from Ross, Banner put himself through a dangerous experiment in which he unintentionally exposed himself to too much Gamma radiation. Because of this, he underwent his first transformation into the Hulk, inadvertently hurting Betty Ross and her father. Devastated, Banner ran away and started living a life of evasion, trying to master his new, hideous identity.

Banner learned how to control his wrath through meditation while travelling the world, and he even got a job at a bottling company in Brazil. Emil Blonsky was enlisted by General Ross to apprehend Hulk, which sparked the events of ‘The Incredible Hulk’, in which Hulk faced Abomination. The Hulk makes another escape at the end of the movie, laying the groundwork for his eventual partnership with the Avengers.

Image Courtesy: Marvel.com

According to the MCU, Hulk’s abilities are caused by gamma radiation, which awakens a hereditary predisposition in Banner’s DNA. Banner is protected at all costs by the superhuman Hulk, whose tremendous power and capacity for regeneration are triggered by anger or suffering. After some experimentation and self-examination, Banner creates Smart Hulk in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ by fusing his mind with the Hulk’s body.

The MCU leaves out important details like Bruce’s horrific upbringing and the esoteric associations of Gamma energy, even if it retains important elements of the Hulk’s comic background. This simplified, scientific storyline creates a unique cinematic portrayal of the Hulk.

–Farheen Ali 

loader