AceShowbiz - As the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day draws nearer, the marketing efforts surrounding the film are intensifying. Secondary campaigns have begun rolling out, featuring merchandise and tie-in toys that provide fans with closer looks at character designs and subtle story hints. While major Marvel movies often avoid revealing spoilers through merchandise, some early Marvel releases did unintentionally leak key plot points via tie-ins. This time, multiple toy lines, especially those related to Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the Hulk, have confirmed intriguing details fans have speculated about for years.

Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Doctor Strange’s spell erased the world’s memory of Peter Parker’s secret identity, fans quickly searched for potential loopholes in the spell’s effects. One popular theory focused on the Hulk. Since only Bruce Banner was directly affected by the spell and the Hulk was suppressed by Banner’s technology at that time, it raised the question: would the spell have erased Hulk’s memory of Spider-Man? This theory has now gained official confirmation thanks to a newly released Hasbro Hulk figure tied to Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The official product description of the Hasbro Marvel Legends Series Hulk figure teases an important narrative development: “Spider-Man is surprised to see the Hulk again after so much time has passed, and has no idea if Hulk will remember him. Will Hulk be a friend or foe?” This line directly acknowledges the fan theory that Hulk’s memory may have been unaffected by Doctor Strange’s spell, setting the stage for an intriguing dynamic between the two characters in the upcoming film.

The Hulk’s potential memory retention adds a new layer of complexity to what we know so far about Bruce Banner’s role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The trailer reveals that when Peter Parker encounters Banner again, Banner does not recognize him. This suggests that Banner’s memory has been wiped clean regarding Peter, who likely seeks Banner’s help to understand his strange new mutations — a desperate move that may risk revealing Peter’s secret identity. At the beginning of their renewed interaction, Banner doesn’t even know Peter’s name, highlighting the extent of the memory loss.

In addition to memory questions, the return of the Savage Hulk variant is confirmed through various merchandise reveals. This is notable because Savage Hulk had been largely sidelined following the introduction of Smart Hulk in Avengers: Endgame. The presence of Savage Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day was long speculated, and now it’s officially confirmed. The same Hasbro figure also hints at a confrontation between Hulk and Spider-Man, which complicates the narrative.

Interestingly, the fight between Hulk and Spider-Man is not necessarily proof that Hulk forgets Spider-Man. The spell erased memories of Peter Parker, not Spider-Man as a hero or ally. Therefore, Hulk should still recognize Spider-Man’s role within the Avengers and know he is aligned with the team. The reasons behind their conflict in the film must stem from other factors unrelated to memory loss.

This makes the storyline surrounding Hulk’s memory and relationship with Spider-Man even more compelling. The merchandise tease suggests that Hulk’s recollection of Spider-Man will play a significant role in the plot, potentially validating years of fan theories and speculation. Even without the memory angle, the return of the "real" Savage Hulk is a thrilling development for fans eager to see a different side of the character on screen.

As anticipation builds, fans are invited to discuss and speculate on how these revelations will unfold in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The film promises to explore fresh dynamics between Peter Parker and Hulk, enriching the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s complex web of character relationships. Will Hulk be a friend or foe? Time will tell, but the excitement is undeniable.

Moreover, additional reveals connected to Spider-Man: Brand New Day have confirmed the introduction of a second Spider-Man costume, adding further excitement for fans eager to see new looks and story directions for the iconic hero.

For ongoing conversations and updates, fans are encouraged to join discussions on platforms like the ComicBook Forum, where speculation and enthusiasm continue to grow ahead of the film’s release.