Marvel Studios Will Unleash Its 7th Hulk In 2026

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Okay, so as a huge MCU fan, I’m hearing some really interesting stuff! Apparently, they’re planning to add another version of the Hulk to the mix. This time it’s the Grey Hulk – a totally different take on Bruce Banner we haven’t seen in live-action yet. If this is true, that would make seven different Hulk variations in the movies! It’s wild how much they’re expanding the Hulk’s story in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day film, and I’m definitely intrigued to see where they take it.

The upcoming movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release on July 31, 2026, will bring back Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and Jon Bernthal as The Punisher. According to insider Daniel Richtman, the film will focus on a gritty, ground-level battle that introduces a new version of The Hulk. The story will reportedly involve Spider-Man and The Punisher joining forces to take on the powerful Grey Hulk.

If this version of the Hulk appears, it would be the first time the Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown the Grey Hulk – a character known in the comics as “Joe Fixit.” This version is smarter and more self-interested than the typical Hulk, but also less physically powerful. Seeing this Hulk interact with Spider-Man and Daredevil could create a more realistic and relatable conflict for these heroes. Many fans have also hoped to see a deeper look into Bruce Banner’s complex mental state, and this could finally deliver that.

Every Live-Action Hulk Featured in the MCU

Hulk (Bruce Banner)

Bruce Banner, the original Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, became a physical manifestation of his hidden rage after an accident involving gamma radiation. Initially played by Edward Norton in the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, the role was later taken over by Mark Ruffalo starting with 2012’s The Avengers. The character has changed and developed throughout the MCU’s different stages.

As a long-time fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the Hulk’s evolution. It started with the Savage Hulk – basically a giant, incredibly strong, and mostly angry creature who just wanted to survive and avoid trouble. But then Bruce Banner figured out how to merge his own intelligence with the Hulk’s power, creating the Smart Hulk – or Professor Hulk, as some call him. He was able to maintain that form for a good five years, between the events of Infinity War and Endgame, which was really interesting to see on screen.

While on the planet Sakaar for two years, Banner became a celebrated gladiator. As the Hulk, he learned to control his anger better and even started talking again, though he didn’t want to turn back into Bruce Banner at first.

She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters)

Jennifer Walters, cousin of Bruce Banner (the Hulk), became a Hulk herself after a car accident. The crash, caused by a spacecraft from Sakaar, led to Bruce’s blood entering an open wound on Jennifer’s arm, triggering her transformation. Played by Tatiana Maslany in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Jennifer’s Hulk form is special because she maintains her intelligence, personality, and control, unlike Bruce.

She’s a lawyer who uses her incredible strength and size to handle cases involving people with superpowers. She often playfully acknowledges she’s in a Marvel story, commenting on how it all works. Unlike her cousin, she’s mastered controlling her emotions, which lets her balance her life and work effectively.

Abomination (Emil Blonsky)

Emil Blonsky, once a Captain in the British Royal Marines, was sent to the US military with the mission of capturing Bruce Banner. Feeling the effects of aging and desperate for greater strength, he volunteered for dangerous experiments: he received a modified version of the Super Soldier Serum and a blood transfusion from Banner, who had been exposed to gamma radiation. This turned him into the Abomination, a powerful monster played by Tim Roth.

Originally, this character was a frightening and destructive force in Harlem. However, he later developed emotional control and found inner peace, eventually establishing and running a retreat center called Abomaste. Over time, he transformed from a purely powerful and intimidating figure into a more nuanced, reformed, and surprisingly funny character.

Red Hulk (Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross)

General Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross was a dedicated military leader who spent years trying to capture the Hulk. Following the death of William Hurt, who originally played the character, Harrison Ford took on the role. In the 2025 film Captain America: Brave New World, Ross is the President of the United States and is dealing with a serious heart condition.

Without Ross knowing, Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, secretly exposed his medication to gamma radiation (using Thorium). This caused Ross to transform into the Red Hulk – a powerful, red-skinned creature who still has the President’s intelligence, but with a dangerous and easily provoked temper that generates intense heat.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Red Hulk is a powerful physical opponent, able to fight evenly with Captain America. This change completes General Ross’s lifelong pursuit of the Hulk, as he becomes the creature he dedicated his life to destroying.

Skaar

In Marvel Comics, Skaar is the powerful son of Bruce Banner (the Hulk) and an alien warrior named Caiera, hailing from the planet Sakaar. He recently made his debut in the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as a grown young man. This appearance signaled the introduction of the ‘Planet Hulk’ storyline into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Skaar’s sudden arrival at Jennifer Walters’ home revealed a new member of Bruce Banner’s family and left fans wondering about his past and what happened to his mother.

Skaar is a powerful warrior, inheriting his father’s incredible strength. He might also have a unique ability from the comics – drawing power directly from the planet – potentially making him one of the strongest Hulks in the Marvel Cinematic Universe if this ability is included in his story.

HulkKing (Todd Phelps)

In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Jon Bass plays Todd Phelps, the founder of Intelligencia, a harmful online group known for its negativity towards women. Feeling entitled and believing only men should have superpowers, Todd devised a complex plan to steal Jennifer Walters’ blood.

He finally managed to inject himself on stage during the show’s finale, briefly turning into a character he called “HulkKing.” This transformation was meant to be a statement about the negative side of obsessive online fan communities. He was quickly stopped after a short and underwhelming display of destruction, highlighting that he hadn’t truly earned the power he desired.

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2026-01-04 03:06