Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If…? episode 3.

Hulk shockingly dies in Marvel’s What If…? episode 3, and it seems the character’s demise is also a real possibility in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What If…? completely shakes up the MCU, showing how minor tweaks lead to massive changes. In the animated series’ premiere, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) takes the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve Rogers (voiced by Josh Keaton). Because of the change, Carter takes on Hydra as Captain Carter, and Rogers becomes the first Iron Man, donning a suit created by Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper). Then, in What If…? episode 2, Marvel makes T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) become Star-Lord instead of Peter Quill (voiced by Brian T. Delaney). Though T’Challa brings prosperity to the galaxy, even getting Thanos (Josh Brolin) to change his ways, the alteration also leaves Quill vulnerable to his evil Celestial dad, Ego (Kurt Russell).

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

What If…? episode 3 reveals what life would be like in the MCU if Earth’s Mightiest Heroes weren’t around. Nearly all of the original MCU Avengers, including Iron Man (voiced by Mike Wingert) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), are mysteriously killed in the episode. However, in her last act before dying, Black Widow (voiced by Lake Bell) warns Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) that the murders have something to do with “Hope.” Fury figures out that Hope van Dyne’s death had Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) break bad and start picking off the future Avengers. To stop him, Fury enlists the help of Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Unfortunately, the God of Mischief also has plans of his own.

Hulk’s death is perhaps the most surprising demise in What If…?. Time and time again, Marvel shows that Hulk is about as invulnerable as they come. During a dark moment in The Avengers, Banner confesses that he tried to destroy Hulk himself by committing suicide, but Hulk foiled the suicide attempt by spitting out a bullet meant to kill him. In What If…?, Pym goes miniature as Yellowjacket and enters through a wound on Banner. Inside Hulk, he enlarges the creature’s heart to the point where the character explodes. Though Hulk is one of the most durable characters in the MCU, there’s evidence that Pym’s murder attempt would work.

Hulk isn’t immortal. Though the character is one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel universe, there are plenty of examples of his vulnerabilities. Hulk has died several times in Marvel’s comics. And, similar to Pym’s attempt on his life in What If…?, one of Hulk’s most notable deaths came from the inside out. In the Wolverine: Old Man Logan comic, Wolverine slices his way out of a villainous Hulk. Because Hulk is one of the strongest characters in the MCU, he’s definitely hard to kill. However, that hasn’t stopped the comics from doing it repeatedly.

See also  Outer Wilds New Expansion Echoes of the Eye Launches In September

The main MCU timeline has also exposed Hulk’s vulnerabilities. While a bullet wasn’t enough to take out Hulk in the early days of the MCU, the Marvel movies have hinted at other weaknesses. For instance, in Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos beats Hulk to a pulp long before collecting all of the Infinity Stones. Later, in Avengers: Endgame, Banner reverses Thanos’ snap using the Infinity Stones, which leaves permanent damage on Hulk’s arm. Thanos is one of the most powerful beings in the MCU, and the Infinity Stones are some of the most powerful items. So obviously, Hulk is still no pushover. However, considering Pym kills the creature by going small in What If…?, Hulk should probably stay on Ant-Man’s good side.

Marvel’s What If…? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

Key Release Dates
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)Release date: Sep 03, 2021
  • Eternals (2021)Release date: Nov 05, 2021
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)Release date: May 06, 2022
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever/Black Panther 2 (2022)Release date: Nov 11, 2022
  • The Marvels/Captain Marvel 2 (2023)Release date: Feb 17, 2023
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)Release date: Jul 28, 2023
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)Release date: May 05, 2023
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)Release date: Jul 08, 2022
Ryan Reynolds Reacts to Adam Project Co-Star’s Percy Jackson Casting

About The Author


Bill Bradley
(524 Articles Published)

Bill is an experienced reporter who’s covered entertainment and fandom since 2014. He’s done everything from unearthing the discarded Game of Thrones pilot script in a library in Texas to finding out why Steve left Blue’s Clues. He also enjoys eating Taco Bell and drinking chocolate milk.

See also  Big Brother: Derek X's Comparison Of Sarah Beth & Nicole F. Explained

More From Bill Bradley