There hasn’t been a Hulk movie since 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” before that one we had Ang Lee’s polarizing “Hulk” (2003), but otherwise, the character has mostly shown up in ‘Avengers’ and ‘Captain America’ movies.
Last night, a listing on Production Weekly had “World War Hulk” shooting in 2025. I decided to reach out to a few of my sources and confirm this bit of news, and what I got was quite a lot of information. Although plans are not “official” at the moment, the goal is to indeed shoot the film this year.
Mark Ruffalo is set to come back in the titular role, and his character will have a very busy year as this coming February’s “Captain America: Brave New World” will set up “World War Hulk” for him, and a few months later, “Thunderbolts” will be the “connecting branch” for the character’s first solo MCU movie.
It’s pretty wild how Marvel boss Kevin Feige hasn’t given us a Hulk movie in the MCU yet. I get it that rights issues have slowed down the process, but there’s honestly nothing that money can’t buy when it comes to Disney. They’ll nab the rights, if they haven’t already.
The “World War Hulk” comic follows on the tragic death of Hulk's wife. A more powerful Hulk then vows vengeance against the Illuminati and Earth's heroes, and wreaks havoc against waves of Earth's mightiest defenders, taking out a slew of targets on his chaotic path.
Now, here’s the most interesting intel I gathered from last night. Feige has reached out to numerous directors for “World War Hulk,” including George Miller (“Furiosa”). Additionally, Miller has also shown interest in helming ‘Thor 5,’ and it was actually his ‘Furiosa’ star, Chris Hemsworth, who set up the meeting between Miller and Feige.
One shouldn’t be surprised by Miller’s interest in directing an MCU movie. He had a planned DCU movie (“Justice League: Mortal”) fall apart during the very final days of pre-production. That will remain one of the great cinematic what-ifs. Just imagine Miller’s visual pow directing a ‘Justice League’ movie …
In a 2019 interview with Deadline, Miller defied Martin Scorsese’s anti-Marvel take and admitted to being a big fan of the MCU:
I watch all of them. To be honest, in terms of this debate, cinema is cinema and it’s a very broad church. The test, ultimately, is what it means to the audience.
Miller additionally pointed out Scorsese’s “hubris” in assuming that any commercially successful movie would constitute compromised art. “It’s such a broad spectrum, a wide range and to say that anyone is more significant or more important than the other, is missing the point. It’s one big mosaic and each bit of work fits into it.”
Miller isn’t just a director of 'Mad Max’ movies. Lest we forget, he also directed “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Babe: Pig in the City,” “Happy Feet,” and “Happy Feet Two.”