Does Hulk Remember Peter Parker After the World Forgot Spider-Man’s Identity

Marvel enthusiasts have been pondering a burning question ever since ‘Spider-Man No Way Home’ altered reality four years ago, and it has resurfaced with a vengeance now that ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘ is in theaters. Does the Hulk still remember that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, despite the rest of the world having their memories wiped?

‘Spider-Man No Way Home’ famously concludes with the world forgetting both Peter Parker and Spider-Man, to the point where even Peter’s closest friends, MJ and Ned, no longer recall him. That heart-wrenching ending left fans with a theory that simply wouldn’t fade away, and ‘Brand New Day’ appears poised to tackle it.

The notion that Hulk might be immune to Doctor Strange’s memory spell isn’t baseless. This idea has roots in the comics, particularly in the ‘One Moment In Time’ arc, elements of which were adapted in ‘No Way Home.’ In this storyline, Doctor Strange casts a spell to erase everyone’s memory of Spider-Man’s secret identity after it was inadvertently revealed.

The comic narrative continues beyond that. In ‘Immortal Hulk Great Power’ Number 1, which follows a deal Spider-Man made with the devil Mephisto to erase the world’s knowledge of his identity, it’s revealed that Hulk retains the memory, even when Bruce Banner does not.

Fans have clung to this theory because Hulk is not merely a side character in this discussion. He is also the only one who remembers Sentry after Strange, at Sentry’s request, erased that memory to protect his friends from the emergence of The Void. This establishes a comic book pattern for Hulk of evading such memory wipes.

Speculation intensified when Tom Holland himself chimed in. Holland hinted that one character will remember Peter Parker in the upcoming Spider-Man film, and comic fans are pointing directly at the Incredible Hulk, specifically the green giant rather than Bruce Banner.

Holland also discussed how the production navigated the complexities of a world that forgot Peter Parker. He described it as a creative challenge that posed logistical issues, explaining that people remember Spider-Man and their interactions with him, but do not recall who he truly is. This distinction is crucial for how ‘Brand New Day’ approaches its central mystery.

Holland even teased a small detail about Ned’s storyline under this new status quo. One of his favorite aspects is that Ned is trying to figure out who Spider-Man is because he wants to express his gratitude. It’s a strange, almost bittersweet touch for two characters who were once inseparable.

The theory has gained traction partly due to Hulk’s portrayal in the new film. Hulk’s involvement in the next Spider-Man movie presents Marvel with the perfect opportunity to validate this popular fan theory, especially with the confirmation that Savage Hulk is returning in ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day.’

This shift is significant as it re-establishes the separation between Hulk and Banner. Instead of the Smart Hulk, who was a fusion of the two, this return to Savage Hulk makes it more plausible that the other persona remembers Peter’s identity.

The trailers have added to the intrigue. The first trailer for ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day’ shows Tom Holland’s Peter Parker back in action, and as his body undergoes changes, Peter seeks help from Bruce Banner, who is fully human again instead of the green Smart Hulk seen in ‘Avengers Endgame.’

There’s also buzz around a leaked line of dialogue that fans believe confirms someone else knows the truth. The leaked trailer for Brand New Day featured dialogue suggesting that someone resembling Jean Grey acknowledged she knew Peter and Spider-Man were the same person, although that line was never officially released, leaving it uncertain if it made it into the final film. This opens the door for multiple possibilities.

Hulk isn’t the only character fans speculate might remember Peter Parker. Some have suggested Wong or even Steve Rogers, who was in an alternate timeline when the spell was cast, although there’s no indication that either character appears in the film.

Additionally, the movie features a plethora of villains who could further complicate the mystery. ‘Brand New Day’ has a packed roster of villains, and one of them might have discovered the truth independently.

Bruce Banner’s reaction in the film’s marketing has only added to the confusion for casual viewers. While Bruce Banner did not recognize Peter in the movie’s trailer, Hulk’s emergence could change that. Whether this transformation occurs on screen remains one of the film’s most discussed mysteries.

With ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day’ set to answer some of these questions on the big screen, which theory do you believe is correct? Is Hulk quietly holding onto the truth all along, or will someone else step up to remind Peter of his true identity?