Hulk never got his rematch with Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, so who would win if Thanos and Smart Hulk fought? As two of the strongest beings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the clash between Hulk and Thanos was highly anticipated. What some might not have expected was how their fight in Avengers: Infinity War played out. Hulk caught Thanos by surprise to gain the upper hand at first, but Thanos then took command and easily defeated the (injured) Green Goliath.
The loss to Thanos completely changed Hulk’s trajectory. He was sent to Earth by Heimdall and then refused to take control of Bruce Banner, leaving the scientist to suit up in the Hulkbuster armor instead in the finale. Hulk and Banner worked out their differences during Avengers: Endgame‘s five-year time jump and became Smart Hulk, a being with Banner’s intellect and Hulk’s strength. Despite this transformation, Smart Hulk never got his rematch with Thanos.
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If Smart Hulk and Thanos did fight in Avengers: Endgame, there’s evidence to suggest that Thanos would still be the winner. First off, Thanos made easy work of Hulk in Infinity War and was in a position to possibly end his life if Heimdall didn’t intervene. Thanos is a more skilled fighter who has raw strength and weapons at his disposal to increase his advantage over Smart Hulk. While it could be argued that Banner’s mind would give Smart Hulk the ability to plan his attack instead of just using rage and aggression, Banner has typically had a tentativeness to fight and that remained in his Smart Hulk form. Thanos, on the other hand, is cold and calculating and could use Banner’s mindset to his advantage.
The outcome of a Smart Hulk and Thanos rematch in Avengers: Endgame, though, could’ve come down to when such a fight would take place. Smart Hulk never got a chance to fight Thanos after he used the Infinity Stones twice and sustained severe injuries. He likely could’ve defeated the weakened Mad Titan if a rematch occurred before Thor beheaded him.
The only other chance for Smart Hulk to fight him again would come with the 2014 version of Thanos. Unfortunately for Smart Hulk, the arrival of this Thanos came after he was weakened from using the Infinity Stones to bring everyone back. A rematch in this instance would pit a weakened Smart Hulk against a younger Thanos, which likely wouldn’t end in Smart Hulk’s favor either. The only argument in Smart Hulk’s favor in this instance would be Thanos’ arrogance at this time, as Hulk might be able to take advantage of his belief he is inevitable.
Outside of the possibilities and circumstances for a rematch in Avengers: Endgame, there is one exception that could give Smart Hulk the edge. Writers and creators craft these stories, and they can have the outcome be whatever they want. If Smart Hulk and Thanos would’ve got a rematch in Avengers: Endgame, he could’ve been the winner to make sure that he didn’t lose to Thanos twice. Since a rematch wasn’t planned, Thanos is who should probably win on paper.
- Black Widow (2020)Release date: Nov 06, 2020
- Eternals (2021)Release date: Feb 12, 2021
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)Release date: May 07, 2021
- Spider-Man: Homecoming 3 (2021)Release date: Nov 05, 2021
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)Release date: Feb 11, 2022
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)Release date: Mar 25, 2022
- Black Panther 2 (2022)Release date: May 06, 2022
- Captain Marvel 2 (2022)Release date: Jul 08, 2022
