What If Professor Hulk Died in Avengers: Endgame?

In the blockbuster finale of Marvel's Avengers series, the finger snap brought by Thanos wiped out half of all life in the universe. However, the question remains: what if the Professor Hulk died when he used his finger to bring everyone back in Avengers: Endgame? The disappearance of this powerful and unpredictable character could have drastically altered the final battle and aftermath. Here’s how it would have played out:

The Fate of the Avenger's Building

Without Professor Hulk, the immediate scene at the Avengers' building would have been profoundly different. When he snapped his fingers, he didn't just reverse the initial wave of the snap, but he also managed to keep many people alive. If he had died, Rhodey and Rocket would surely have perished in the basin below the building. Even if they were briefly saved, the explosion and subsequent collapse of the structure would have claimed them.

The Implosion of the Avengers' Plans

Without Professor Hulk, the initial plan to gather the Infinity Stones would have been severely disrupted. Rhodey and Rocket, having no immediate rescue, would have drowned or died from the explosion. Despite this, Iron Man might have managed to reach the surface and help the remaining Avengers. However, their mission to confront Thanos would have been fraught with complications. The absence of a physical ground to stand on would have made it impossible for Iron Man to assist Captain America, who could have suffocated under the rubble. Thor, without a solid foundation to operate from, would have been overwhelmed by Thanos.

The Deeper Impact of the Snapping

Professor Hulk's survival was not just a matter of the radiation from the Infinity Stones. His unique ability to survive the snap is rooted in the Gamma radiation that transformed him into the Hulk in the first place. His weakened state after the snap didn't change the plot significantly, as he did little for the remainder of the film.

The Falling Gauntlet and Its Effects

The Gauntlet, holding the Infinity Stones, would have fallen underground, making it inaccessible to both heroes and villains. This would have allowed the Avengers to focus more on the battle against Thanos, without the additional obstacle of the stones. Without a mortal around, Thor and Iron Man could have unleashed unrestrained attacks with higher firepower, ensuring that they remained conscious and active until the final assembly.

Missing Heroes and Their Impact

Remove the missing heroes—Hulk, Rhodey, Captain America, Rocket, and Hawkeye—from the scene, and their contributions, though significant, become less pivotal. These characters didn't accomplish the most crucial tasks in the grand scheme of the story. Their absence wouldn't have significantly altered the outcome, as everything else would have proceeded somewhat similarly.

The Final Consequences

The question of what happens next is crucial. If the heroes kept the stones after Professor Hulk's death, the timeline would face certain doom due to the lack of a Time Stone to defend against Dormammu. However, the rest of the timeline would survive, and the main timeline would see its stones restored. Carol would likely leave with the Power and Space Stones, while the Guardians would retain the Soul Stone. Thor might propose to Jane to return the Aether to its pocket dimension.

Wakanda would continue to safeguard the Mind Stone, potentially bringing back Vision, and using their findings for good instead of evil. Doctor Strange would retain the Time Stone. In the past timeline, Thor would remain without Mjolnir, and every other viable timeline would survive, potentially becoming even better off with no Peggy Carter ending and Sam not being appointed as the next Captain America.

Overall, the absence of Professor Hulk would have had profound and immediate results, but the larger narrative thread would still largely hold true. The dynamics and outcomes might shift, but the core conflict and the essential players would remain in place.