Fans of the Hulk have long wished for a film adaptation of Planet Hulk, the story where Hulk becomes a gladiator on an alien planet before conquering it and becoming king. Marvel has long said it's not happening, as a standalone Hulk film isn't in the works.
However, the Hulk will play a large role in Thor: Ragnarok, and it seems fans might get their Planet Hulk after all if new rumors are to be believed.
Potential Spoilers for Thor: Ragnarok below!
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It has been officially confirmed that Thor: Ragnarok will be a "cosmic road trip" for Thor and the Hulk. Now, however, Geek.com is offering a number of new details that explain just how the two characters will meet in space. Citing sources close to the film, the site says Thor will find himself fighting in a gladiator arena on an alien world after having been banished from Asgard and having Mjolnir destroyed at the hands of new villain Hela, rumored to be played by Cate Blanchett.
As Thor fights his way through the combatants, he must finally face the current champion of the ring: the Hulk. How the Hulk arrived on a far distant planet after the events of Age of Ultron is unknown, but Geek.com writes that the Bruce Banner and the Hulk's persona will be merging into one. When Hulk sees Thor in the ring, he is reminded of his time with the Avengers. Fom there, the two set off to stop Hela, who has teamed up with Loki for some nefarious purpose.
It's not a full adaptation of the Planet Hulk storyline, but it would still be a major treat for fans of the character. Also of note in Geek.com's recent rumors about the film is that Blanchett's Hela might join Thanos in later films. In Marvel's Infinity Gauntlet storyline, upon which the two-part Avengers: Infinity War will be loosely based, Thanos attempts to impress the personification of Death by destroying the universe.
Instead of introducing Death, Marvel may simply have Hela, the ruler of Nifleim, join Thanos to avoid confusion. Hela does have power over the souls of the nine realms, so modifying her character a bit to take over Death's role isn't that far of a stretch.
Geek.com notes that some of these details could certainly change over time, as the film's official shooting script isn't completed. However, they say the Planet Hulk elements are present in the current outline of the film. Thor Ragnarok is scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 3, 2017.
