The D23 Expo finally made it clear: Universal owns the rights to any Hulk solo movie, so we’ll never see a standalone Hulk film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But that doesn't mean that upcoming MCU flicks can’t tell stories about the Green Goliath. After all, Thor: Ragnarok will partially adapt the Planet Hulk storyline.
At the D23 Expo, Mark Ruffalo told Fandango that a major Hulk storyline will feature in Avengers: Infinity War and the still-untitled Avengers 4:
Planet Hulk (Digital Spy)
Here’s a bts pic of Mark Ruffalo telling me about how Hulk has a major storyline in #InfinityWar that carries into the next film ?#D23expo pic.twitter.com/gcqT0Pb01Q
"” ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) July 16, 2017
We’re not sure what that means. We’re not even sure how Hulk is going to fit into the Infinity War. The clip shown at D23 revealed that Thor will meet up with the Guardians of the Galaxy following the events of Thor: Ragnarok. But there’s no mention of Bruce Banner or his angrier self.
Again, Thor's final standalone MCU outing will partially adapt the Planet Hulk storyline. But the comics continued with another major storyline, World War Hulk, in which Hulk returns to Earth and has his vengeance on those who sent him away.
Could this be why Kevin Feige hasn't revealed the title of the fourth, and presumably final, Avengers flick? It’s a possibility, especially if the Jade Giant turns against his fellow Avengers in that movie.
World War Hulk (Villains Wikia)
But this is just an assumption on the part of the fans.
We’re more than certain that Thor: Ragnarok will reveal how the Hulk ended up on Sakaar and why he didn't see Thor as a friend from work, as the Asgardian referred to him (he definitely recognized Thor). Maybe it was Loki’s doing. At the same time, it could have been a fellow Avenger (Tony Stark, obviously), or even Doctor Strange.
