Thor Ragnarok, the third Thor film has been marketed as being a different beast to what Thor fans have been used to. The inclusion of The Hulk was a big step for the Ragnarok crew who, like the other characters seemed to have experienced a dramatic change, unlike anything we have seen in Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mark Ruffalo, who plays The Hulk aka Bruce Banner in MCU told Entertainment Weekly that the brute’s new status has done wonders for this personality. The actor said:
“He’s much more of a character than the green rage machine you’ve seen in the Avengers movies. He’s got a swagger. He’s like a god.”
The Hulk has yet to see his origins be explored in the MCU, and since Planet Hulk was a ground-breaking comic book that showcased a new side of The Hulk that had never been seen before, it seems like MCU’s Hulk will also be experiencing the same thing and might we just say FINALLY!!
The character of the Hulk is complex and layered, as he is both isolated by his appearance and his personality from other humans and even his fellow Avengers. That sense of alienation had been seen in most versions of The Hulk, both in comics and movies.
Since Planet Hulk showcased a hero who was brave, loving and a leader, it enjoyed huge popularity. Thor Ragnarok director Taika Waiti says, “A lot of what we’re doing with the film is, in a way, kind of dismantling and destroying the old idea and rebuilding it in a new way that’s fresh. Everyone’s got a slightly new take on their characters, so in that way, it feels like [this is] the first Thor.” The new transformation is one that has long been awaited and much deserved for such an underrated superhero in the Avengers.