The Hulk and Banner’s previous conflict kept either of them from lifting Mjolnir, but their being at peace as Smart Hulk could change that.
Two of the strongest Avengers in both Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe are Thor and the Incredible Hulk. The former is mighty not only in his physical strength but also his strength of character, with the Son of Odin representing a threshold of justice that few others can attain. Some of the few exceptions would be Steve Rogers and seemingly Thor’s former flame Jane Foster, but for most, simply lifting Thor’s hammer Mjolnir is an impossibility/
CBR VIDEO OF THE DAYClose
That was certainly true for the Hulk, who was shown in the first Avengers movie as being unworthy of wielding the weapon. However, since that movie’s events, a lot has changed in the MCU, especially for Bruce Banner. Now more at peace with the Hulk than ever before, he’s a different man inside and out. That has led many to question whether his inner peace finally makes the hero worthy of wielding Mjolnir.
RELATED:Why The Incredible Hulk’s Betty Ross Still Has A Place In The MCU
Why Hulk Could Not Lift Mjolnir
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the team’s numerous members all try their hand at lifting Thor’s hammer. None of them (except for a slight budge for Steve Rogers) prove worthy of doing so, with Bruce being the second to last to try and fail. He ends the sequence by comically roaring as if he was turning into the Hulk. While this gets played for laughs, it does speak to why he can’t pull off lifting the Asgardian heirloom.
Banner is at war with his Hulk persona, with this inner conflict making his soul too confused to prove worthy. Unable to make peace with a key part of himself, he’s denied worthiness in the side of himself that he likely felt would be undoubtedly worthy. This arguable arrogance may have also contributed to being unable to lift Mjolnir. Likewise, the Hulk was, at the time, a rampaging beast, lacking much else in the way of personality. Thus, he had no morality or sense of justice, being ethically unworthy of Mjolnir’s might. Be that as it was, the current status quo of Banner/Hulk could have changed things entirely.
RELATED:Hulk Fans Celebrate The Return Of The Avenger’s Iconic Thunderclap In She-Hulk
Could Smart Hulk Be Worthy?
Ever since Avengers: Endgame, the gamma-irradiated superhero has been a lot different. Now known as “Smart Hulk,” this adaptation of Professor Hulk is an amalgamation of Banner’s intellect with the Hulk’s body and strength. Achieving this state after making peace with himself, Smart Hulk no longer saw the Hulk’s powers as a curse. Thus, the Hulk’s personality and mentality are now Banner’s own, which makes it questionable whether this finally makes the two worthy of wielding Mjolnir.
The biggest hurdle the two had beforehand was essentially being incomplete without accepting the other: Hulk was a mindless beast, while Banner rejected part of his own soul in the Hulk. Now merged, the Smart Hulk should be one of the most worthy Avengers to lift Mjolnir. After all, he understands sacrifice and misuse of power more than any of the others, wanting to avoid it beforehand by keeping the mindless Hulk under control.
That would coincide with the seeming reality of someone’s worthiness changing over time, as shown by Steve Rogers fully wielding Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame. Keep in mind how Smart Hulk volunteered to bring the others back via the Infinity Gauntlet, despite knowing that it might have a damaging effect on him. There’s also his saving innocent people from that movie’s deleted scene or randomly offering people tacos. Such selflessness — as silly as some of it may be – shows that Hulk/Banner is no longer a monster but a true hero who wishes to help others in whatever way he can. If there are any specific criteria for being able to lift Mjolnir, this certainly fits the bill.
