Avengers Infinity War: Is this the REAL reason Hulk had problems for Bruce? (SPOILERS)

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War.

Bruce was in Hulk mode for the first scene of the Marvel film, on board the Asgardians’ ship – but reverted to Bruce Banner as soon as Heimdall sent him flying down to Earth.

For the rest of the movie, Bruce couldn’t transform himself back into the giant – and we never saw Hulk again.

One recurring theory to explain his absence is his newfound fear of Thanos after his defeat on the Asgardians’ ship, but is there another possibility?

Reddit user tenaciousNIKA came up with a feasible theory that could reveal his issue.

“I’ve seen a lot on the internet about how Hulk won’t come out because he’s afraid of Thanos. But I don’t think that’s the reason why,” they wrote.

“Hulk thinks that everyone on earth hates him. For one he straight up says just that in Thor: Ragnarok. And that is the whole reason he leaves leaves earth in Age of Ultron.

“Also think about it, Thanos isn’t actually ever on earth all the times that Banner tries to Hulk out.

“TL;DR Hulk isn’t coming out not because he’s afraid of Thanos, but because earth [is] afraid of him.”

Banner was one of the survivors of Thanos’s Snap at the end of Infinity War, so fans will have to wait and see whether Hulk reappears in next year’s Avengers 4.

He was seen on what appeared to be Wakanda in an initial trailer, but this shot did not end up being part of the finished product.

Little is known about Avengers 4, due in May 2019, although multiple fan theories suggest that the survivors will try to find a way to bring back those who turned to ash.

What’s more, Zoe Saldana – who played Gamora, murdered by Thanos mid-way through Infinity War – appeared to let slip that she is in the next film in some capacity.

Avengers: Infinity War is out now.