CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR – The Hulk Is Out, But Could He Meet Up With the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?

Before you continue reading this, I must warn you that it contains spoilers from Marvel films that you may or may not have seen, so be warned…

Ready?

Okay.  So, with all the characters that are going to battle in Marvel’s upcoming magnum opus CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, it’s hard to keep track of exactly who we’ll see on-screen.  The finally tally clocks in at over 10 heroes/villains filling out the story, and the possibility of more exists.  Most of the attention has been paid to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and his debut in the MCU (which happens in this film).  But, I’m more interested in the Hulk.

Previously, there were subtle teases that the big green dude may have a role in the film, and with William Hurt making his return to the MCU as General Thunderbolt Ross, many hoped that the Red Hulk would finally appear, and that he and Hulk would have a massive battle.  Well, I’m sorry to say folks, that this is not the case.

While speaking to BadTaste, actor Mark Ruffalo revealed that he was originally set to appear, but Marvel wrote him out (via IGN):

“The reason is too great to be revealed in this movie (Civil War).  I was in the script but then they removed my character. They don’t want to reveal where is he and why. I don’t even know if Hulk will be back soon.”

Well this is a bummer, but it also kind of isn’t.  What this implies is that a new Hulk story is coming our way, but in what form?  Well, if you recall, at the end of AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, the Hulk throws Ultron out of the Quinjet and flies off into the sunset, ignoring his teammates’ pleas to return.  If Hulk isn’t open for clobberin’ in CIVIL WAR, this could set up a possible PLANET HULK movie.  In that story, Hulk is banished from Earth by the Avengers because his rages become so destructive that his team feels he’s a danger to humanity.  He crash lands on a distant planet and is enslaved by a powerful alien race who forces him to fight to the death in arena-style games.  Along with a group his other enslavees, Hulk fights back against the oppressive regime and becomes the ruler of the planet.

Now, big picture stuff.  Marvel’s cinematic moves are very calculated.  If they put Hulk in space, it’s very possible that we may see him cross paths with the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.  As adamant as director James Gunn is that his Guardians are crossover-proof, I find it hard to believe that Kevin Feige and the rest of the Marvel brain trust would allow that opportunity to pass them by.

What do you think?  Is PLANET HULK in our future?  Could the big green dude meet up with the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?