Summary
Now that Doctor Doom is coming to the MCU, Marvel might be coming closer to announce some other villains that could follow soon after. TheMCUhas got several phases on the way and while Doom is going to be the chief “big bad” there are bound to be some other guys that the Avengers and other superheroes will have to take off. One fan theory has pinned down who could be one of the next baddies, to arrive in the cinematic universe and if he does step onto the screen, it could be a sign of a whole other movie coming soon after.
While most of the original Avengers seem to have moved onto other things, one of the guys who is still around and could still be used in a number of different ways is Bruce Banner and theHulk. These days, thegreen monster and the super geniusscientists are one in the same. While it’s clear that melding was done as a way to have Mark Ruffallo on screen more forAvengers: End Game, it could also be used as a vehicle to welcome both one of the most beloved comic book storylines to the big screen and one of the deadliest villains the Avengers have ever faced.
The Next Hulk Evolution
WhileSmart Hulk was mainly just a plot device, it’s possible the plan all along has been to have him continue to evolve. That would certainly seem to be part of the reason why the MCU had the Banner half mentally warring with Hulk. Considering how many steps ahead MCU chief Kevin Feige and company had to be to put together the path that led toEndgame, it’s not totally out of the question that they might have a similar rather long path already mapped out.
If the point of Smart Hulk was to evolve then it possible he’s not at the end point of that evolution just yet. It’s possible there’s another persona who will eventually find his way to the MCU and if he does, he’ll be one of the most formidable villains the Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought forth. Imagine someone with almost limitless strength, a massive intellect and no desire to curb either and help out humanity. That’sessentially what Maestro isand should he come to the film franchise, it could hint that Feige and his gang have something pretty big planned for him.
Who Is Maestro
Maestro was first introduced in the 1992 miniseriesHulk: Future Imperfect.He is actually Hulk from far in the futureand the comics lay out his story as someone who went through a kind of evolution thanks to exposure to high radiation levels over decades. The Hulk being a creature that absorbs radiation like a power source, Maestro’s strength and intelligence both increased beyond even what Smart Hulk was capable of. Unfortunately for all those who knew Banner, the radiation also warped his personality, making him cruel and power-hungry.
Unfortunately for all those who knew Banner, the radiation also warped his personality, making him cruel and power-hungry.
In Maestro’s future, he eventually becomes the sole ruler after most of Earth’s defenders were killed and destroyed by nuclear war. Those that survived that war are almost all fought and defeated by the powerful villain. To demonstrate just how big a badthis version of Hulk is, he tends to wear trophies of the superheroes hedefeated in combat and killed. Having left his humanity behind, he now fews normal people with disdain and in the comics, eventually makes his way to “present day” earth to fight the current version of the Avengers. And now there is a theory that Maestro could be headed to the MCU.
When Might The MCU Meet Maestro
According toThe Cosmic Circus' Alex Perez, there’s a chance Maestro will appear “soon.” Though he wasn’t able to offer much more than that. Perez believes that the idea is for him to become the next evolution of Hulk, though it’s not clear how Marvel would have that play out. Some guesses have pointed to the Multiverse but the Feige has already saidthat particular plot deviceis going to be used less and less moving forward.
The end game, should Maestro indeed enter the picture could be the long-rumored World War Hulks movie. That idea certainly seems to have some legs considering that the last time fans saw Smart Hulk his arm had healed from the events inAvengers: End Gameand he was meeting the Hulkling who had traveled from Sakaar. Then there’sthe introduction of Red HulkinCaptain America: Brave New World. So far, the path sure feels like it’s getting laid. Though it would also seem as if any movie that involves Hulk orHulks, it would be in the next phase, and that Maestro might be coming, but not coming all that soon.
MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
