An Improbable HULKBUSTER Theory

An Improbable HULKBUSTER Theory

A few days ago, during Marvel's Assembling a Universe special, they revealed some concept art for Age of Ultron. The most eye-catching piece was a drawing of the Hulk fighting Iron Man's Hulkbuster armor. The question since then has been who's piloting it and why?

By SuperShowdown - Mar 20, 2014 07:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic



From what I've seen, there are two main theories about the Hulkbuster armor. The first states that Ultron has uploaded himself into Iron Man's computer systems, giving him control over all the suits. The second says that the Hulk has lost control and is rampaging through the streets. Prepared for this situation, Tony Stark breaks out the armor and tries to corral the beast. Realizing how terrible the Hulk is, he's exiled to space, setting up Planet Hulk and World War Hulk films. Now, I'm going to do something that's never been done before between comic book fans: I'm going to agree with both of you.

Tony Stark is going to need the most powerful armor he can build if he's going to fight Ultron. There's nothing stronger than a suit that can go toe-to-toe with the Hulk. So, he dons the Hulkbuster armor and heads into battle.

However, Ultron is able to hack into his computer systems and take control of the suit. He knows he will need it to defeat an indestructible Hulk. With Ultron in charge but Tony Stark still inside, the armor faces off against the Hulk. Iron Man explains to the Hulk what's going on, but the Hulk needs to defend himself. For the majority of the fight, it seems like Bruce Banner is in complete control of the Hulk, and he makes an obvious effort to not hurt Iron Man. But in a moment of extreme rage, he loses control. The armor can no longer stand Hulk's increasing strength, he tears it apart, and Iron Man is killed (cue the "but Robert Downey Junior has one more movie on his contract" and "but Iron Man is their most successful franchise" comments).

This is where things get really improbable. After the battle with Ultron, if anything in a post-credits scene, Captain America heads to a secret meeting. Here, we get our first glimpses of Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Black Bolt. These three, along with Captain America and Iron Man, formed the MCU's Illuminati (the original Illuminati also had Namor, Mr. Fantastic, and Professor X, but those characters don't exist in the MCU, and can't be used). They group unanimously agrees that something has to be done about the Hulk.

The Illuminati reveals an early plan of Tony Stark's that involved launching the Hulk into space where he can't harm anyone. The spaceship needed to carry out this plan was already built as a precaution, and is ready to be deployed.

So this sets up Hulk's next solo outing, Planet Hulk, and his eventual vengeful return to Earth in World War Hulk. It also establishes the existence of Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Black Bolt and the Inhumans. I know it all seems unlikely, so I do expect the usual "that's dumb" or "that would never happen" remarks, but if you have any input, leave it in the comments below!
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kong
kong - 3/21/2014, 3:03 AM
So Iron Man is killed.....but not killed....?
kong
kong - 3/21/2014, 3:09 AM
And for the Illuminati the idea is cool, but if that's going to be the line up there has to be some changes. Why?
1) Captain America hates the idea of the Illuminati. He doesn't like secrets being kept from the rest of the group. This will most likely be explored in CATWS in just a few weeks.
2) Black Bolt, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange would have to have already been established in the MCU and gained a close enough relationship with Tony in one film (that none of them are likely in) for him to trust them. We need to establish these 3 before they become a part of the Illuminati. It doesn't make much sense. Why would guys that Cap or Iron Man have never met before have so much power and trust among them?
SuperShowdown
SuperShowdown - 3/21/2014, 3:48 AM
Iron Man would have to be truly dead. It would be cool if he faked it and spent the rest of his days underground, but if he lived he could make the argument that Hulk was only acting in self-defense. With Iron Man dead, nobody can explain what happened and everyone assumes the Hulk killed him out of rage.

As for the Illuminati, maybe Captain America leaves the group after he realizes he's going against what he always fought for. Also, for the three new heroes, it could be revealed that they've known Iron Man and Cap for a long time. They chose to keep themselves secret, but have been working behind the scenes from the beginning. It may be difficult to work out, but I think it'd be cool to have the Illuminati and see how it impacts the members and the guilt they experience from their actions.
GoldSlayer1
GoldSlayer1 - 3/21/2014, 3:58 AM
Couple things that im wondering.
Will this hulk buster armor just be a suit, or will it be an extra layer or shell for the regular iron man suit? (I.e. Armorception, an armor within an armor.)

and will it use multiple arc reactors? (I.e 3 chest arc reactors, 1 in the middle, and the other 2 closer to the shoulders)
I highly doubt a single arc reactor would power up a suit strong enough to combat the hulk, unless it was only intended for a short burst fight.
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 3/21/2014, 4:56 AM
Or it could be a training thing, since Banner can now "control"his anger, Tony can use him as a sparing partner
Pasto
Pasto - 3/21/2014, 5:11 AM
I highly doubt it's training, because of the what we've been shown. We've seen military personnel shooting at an object believed to be the Hulk, THEN we also see Hulkbusters hand being tested for shooting, and now this piece of concept art. I believe that in the film, Ultron takes over the hulk buster armor and goes a few rounds with big green.
kong
kong - 3/21/2014, 9:24 AM
@Blue Lantern Knight
Just saying they already new Tony is a cop out just to dd an after credits scene that isn't needed. And if Tony knew either of them then he would've mentioned them before and ask them for help. I'd love to see Illuminati...just not in this way at all.
Interestein
Interestein - 3/21/2014, 1:18 PM
I love the idea of the Illumanati, but I'd rather think that Tony is not in the suit, and Ultron hacks the whole Stark tower and unleashes the emergency armour to control the Hulk if need be; THE HULKBUSTER.

But as for Planet Hulk (a movie that I really want), Ultron should trick the Hulk into a ship and launches him into space at the end of the film, instead of the Illuminati, but that would ruin the chances of a WWH movie, I'm just kind of rambling. But good article.
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