Brand New Day’ Cast May Have Teased Gray Hulk

Of all the Marvel characters confirmed to appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, one of the most mysterious is The Hulk. Mark Ruffalo is confirmed to reprise his role as Dr. Bruce Banner in the upcoming MCU sequel, though his Hulk persona has been mostly absent from the marketing (a LEGO set confirmed his appearance). Despite Bruce Banner having mastered control of the Hulk in Avengers: Endgame, it is widely known that at some point in Brand New Day, Banner will lose control and force Spider-Man to face off against the Savage Hulk. However, the cast might have just teased a different look for the Green Goliath.

After tickets for Spider-Man: Brand New Day went on sale, the cast of the film sat down with Fandango. When Tom Holland said, “The Hulk is green,” Zendaya asked, “Is he though? I don’t know.” Jacob Batalon then mentioned how the Hulk has many different colors before Holland quickly stated, “I didn’t say that, by the way, they said that!.” Though it is not confirmation, this might hint that the MCU might be introducing the original version of the Hulk from the comics: the Gray Hulk.

When the Hulk debuted in The Incredible Hulk #1 back in 1962, he was originally depicted as gray. However, the comic printers at the time had trouble maintaining a consistent gray color, and the character had a slight green hue. It was the second issue of The Incredible Hulk in which the Hulk gained his signature green hue. However, Marvel revisited the Gray Hulk concept years later and revealed this was one of the Hulk’s many personas. Gray Hulk later took on the identity of Joe Fixit in Las Vegas as an enforcer. This version was more intelligent than the classic Savage Hulk but slightly weaker.

The MCU has tried to work in the Gray Hulk before. In The Incredible Hulk, the first time Banner transforms in Act I, his skin has a slight gray hue before he steps into the light as a homage to his first appearance. Joss Whedon considered introducing the Gray Hulk in Avengers: Age of Ultron after Scarlet Witch triggered his transformation in Africa. With rumors that Sadie Sink is playing Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel Studios could be revisiting the idea of a telepathic attack triggering a change in appearance for the Hulk.

The Gray Hulk persona could also result from Bruce Banner repressing the classic Hulk persona after merging his consciousness with the Hulk’s body. This certainly sets up an exciting role for the character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and in the future of the MCU. While Hulk is currently not confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, it seems unlikely the Multiverse Saga will conclude without an appearance by one of the founding Avengers.