Marvel just regaining the rights to ‘The Incredible Hulk’ might explain why its sequel is called ‘Captain America 4’

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans around the world rejoiced when it was revealed The Incredible Hulk was finally coming to Disney Plus, even if a lot of them seem to be getting a little too carried away.

While Kevin Feige’s outfit has reclaimed the rights to Edward Norton’s one-and-done stint as the title hero – which was written in the small print to happen 15 years after its theatrical release – said small print has also outlined that Marvel Studios only holds the rights to that film in particular, and not the character at large.

Unfortunately, then, the champagne will need to go back on ice for the time being if you were expecting World War Hulk to be announced imminently, but the timing does at least offer a suggestion as to what comes next. After all, Captain America: Brave New World was lightly roasted for being a sequel to The Incredible Hulk in all but name, but maybe it’s all part of the plan.

Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader, Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross, and the late William Hurt’s Thunderbolt Ross will all be back together again in the same movie – albeit with Harrison Ford stepping in as the latter – while Mark Ruffalo and Tim Roth were both featured heavily in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. All of the pieces are there, so even if Marvel can’t quite put them together and brand it a Hulk feature just yet, it may well be moving in that direction.

Either that or we’re reading way too far into it, and Captain America: The Incredible Hulk 2 will make its intentions clear long before it comes to theaters next year.