Fans of the early era MCU can finally celebrate: Bruce Banner's alter ego, the Hulk, is officially returning to the big screen. Mark Ruffalo's version of the green powerhouse hasn't appeared in his full, hulking form since Avengers: Infinity War, and even then, it was very short-lived. After being the Smart Hulk since Avengers: Endgame, new official marketing has confirmed the return of "the other guy."
The Brazilian merchandise retailer Piticas briefly offered fans a first official glimpse (now taken down) of Spider-Man: Brand New Day on its website, revealing a banner featuring several illustrated characters from the upcoming film, including the Hulk.
Although Ruffalo's Banner/Hulk had been long-reported to appear, this marks the first promotional look at the character by Marvel Studios.
And in a welcome twist, the green hero isn't in his familiar Smart Hulk form; Brand New Day appears to bring back the angry, fist-smashing version fans remember.
The floodgates are beginning to crack with Brand New Day, as new leaked images are appearing online daily, including a recent official glimpse at the Hulk on a backpack.
He has canonically been Smart Hulk since Avengers: Endgame, merging Banner's intellect with the hero's stature and strength. Since Endgame, Banner has actually been in other forms that just Smart Hulk. In the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings post-credits scene, Banner is a human. He was using a specially designed inhibitor device he made (explained in She-Hulk), allowing his previously injured arm to heal while still keeping the Hulk persona under control.
Other than that, after the car crash that made Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) She-Hulk, Smart Hulk was the latest and final form fans saw the Hulk in.
Now, set to return nearly four years later, Spider-Man is going to have to face the return of Savage Hulk. That's right: a new LEGO set leak indicates that Hulk will be fighting Spider-Man, marking the first time the green monster will be fighting an Avenger since Thor: Ragnarok.
In the new official artwork, villains like Boomerang, Torantual, and Michael Mando's return as the Scorpion are shown, but a Savage Hulk has fans the most excited.
Some fans are even speculating that Hulk could remember that Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is Spider-Man because of the dual personality not being affected by Dr. Strange's spell from Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Hulk's Spider-Man 4 Role Explained
For Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures, it was likely hard to decide how to continue Peter's story after the events of Brand New Day, especially in a way that would keep the fan excitement up. Having the Hulk be a major supporting character is a perfect way to do it, as these two are among the most iconic Marvel characters of all time, and they have barely shared any screen time in the MCU thus far.
In Brand New Day, Banner is expected to play a crucial role both as a mentor and a threat, with Ruffalo's Savage Hulk potentially rampaging through New York for the first time in years.
Reportedly, Banner has taken on a new MCU role as a college professor, but his scientific expertise may be needed to help Peter Parker as he faces a terrifying Man-Spider transformation, according to a new wild theory about Brand New Day.
It seems the reason Banner is unleashed as the Savage Hulk is a mystery mind-control villain, who could be Sadie Sink if she's playing Jean Grey.
Overall, Banner's dual identity is expected to be fully back in 2026, with plenty of surprises in the story when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31, 2026. Despite allegedly not returning for Avengers: Doomsday, this could be only the beginning of a Hulk revival in the MCU.
