The Incredible Hulk came out in the summer of 2008, the same year as Iron Man. But the Green Goliath didn’t make the same box office splash that Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark did. As a result, there was no direct sequel. Original Bruce Banner actor Edward Norton didn’t return to the role, replaced by Mark Ruffalo for The Avengers. But The Incredible Hulk is still 100% MCU canon. The events of that film factor quite heavily into the events of Captain America: Brave New World. You could even call it a stealth sequel to The Incredible Hulk, some 17 years after the fact. If you haven’t watched it in some time, here are four key things to remember from The Incredible Hulk before watching Captain America: Brave New World:
Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross Is the “Hulk Hunter”
Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, was introduced as the U.S. Army general obsessed with tracking down Dr. Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. Oscar-winner William Hurt played him in the film, and four other MCU follow-ups. After Hurt’s passing, Harrison Ford took on the role in Brave New World. As explained in the 2008 film, Ross was obsessed with recreating the World War II-era super-soldier program that gave Steve Rogers his powers. Only this time, using gamma radiation.
These gamma experiments accidentally turned the scientist working alongside Ross, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), into the Hulk. Ross then spends years trying to hunt him down, putting a wedge between him and his daughter Betty (Liv Tyler), who had been dating Bruce. Because of the years spent hunting down Banner, the media gives him the nickname “Hulk Hunter.” The “Hulk Hunter” reputation is something that comes up frequently in Captain America: Brave New World. And not in a good way.
The Harlem Incident
The Harlem incident, where the Hulk and the Abomination tore several blocks of the famous New York neighborhood apart in battle, nearly destroyed General Ross’ career. Ultimately, the media blamed Ross for the creation of both the Hulk and the Abomination. When we see Tony Stark meet Ross in a dive bar at the end of the film, Ross is a broken man already. However, the creation of the Hulk ended up being a good thing in the end, as the Jade Giant helped save the world several times over. So Ross’ career clearly made a turnaround, fast. First, to become Secretary of State, and later, to become President of the United States. However, in some circles, the “Harlem Incident” still follows Ross around in a negative light, Oval Office desk or not.
Dr. Samuel Sterns and His Unfortunate Accident
Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) had a secondary role in The Incredible Hulk, as another brilliant scientist who is in communication with Bruce Banner, during the years he is on the run from the army. At first, they communicate only over emails, with Sterns using the name “Mr. Blue” and Banner using the name “Mr. Green.” Together, they hope to find a cure for Banner’s monstrous condition. They finally meet in person in New York City, however Sterns was not entirely truthful to Banner about what he intended with the antidote. He hoped to create a serum that would make people immune to most genetic diseases.
Sterns tried to cure Bruce Banner, but despite initially looking like it worked, it didn’t take. Not long after, the soldier Emil Blonsky forced Sterns at gunpoint to inject Banner’s blood into him, creating the Abomination. In the ensuing chaos, some of Banner’s blood infected a gash in Stern’s head. We saw his head pulsate as he lay unconscious, but that was the last we saw of him on screen. In the comics, the gamma exposure makes Sterns as smart as Hulk is strong, becoming the villainous Leader. But Marvel Studios has left fans with 17 years of questions as to what became of Sterns after that moment. Those questions now have answers.
Betty Ross and Thaddeus Ross’ Damaged Relationship
Betty Ross was Bruce Banner’s romantic partner in The Incredible Hulk, played by Liv Tyler. In the film, she was estranged from her father due to his obsession with hunting down her sexy scientist boyfriend. General Ross said he was angry at Banner because Betty was injured in the accident that created the Hulk (which you can see in the film’s opening credits). But ultimately, he blames himself as much as he blames Banner. The events of the film create a bigger emotional gap between father and daughter, and when we see now-President Ross in Brave New World, we learn he has remained estranged from his only child. That estrangement weighs heavily on him, despite winning the Presidency of the United States.
Is The Incredible Hulk a bad film? Honestly, we don’t think so. It was made when Marvel Studios was still figuring itself out, as well as their broader plan for the MCU. So it’s messy, but decent. But if you have thoughts about revisiting it in preparation for Brave New World, there’s no time like the present. The Incredible Hulk is now available to stream on Disney+.