Why Thor and Hulk Were Not in Captain America: Civil War

Many fans wonder why Thor and Hulk were not included in the blockbuster film Captain America: Civil War. In this article, we will explore the in-universe and real-world reasons behind their absence.

In-Universe Explanations

During the events of Captain America: Civil War, Thor and Hulk were not readily available, as they were far from Earth.

Thor's Absence

In-universe: Thor was off on his own journey to investigate the mystery behind the Infinity Stones. This subplot was present in the aftermath of Avengers: Age of Ultron and led to the events depicted in Thor: Ragnarok.

Real-world: The Russo brothers likely felt that Thor's storyline had been expanded significantly in Thor: Ragnarok, and including him again in Civil War would have diluted the plot and focus.

Hulk's Absence

In-universe: Hulk was also not on Earth, having been left behind on the planet Sakaar to fight as a gladiator.

Real-world: Hulk was portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, who had upcoming commitments with other projects. The Russo brothers also felt that enough attention was already being focused on Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther, and Spider-Man, and adding Hulk might have diverted attention from the main narrative.

The Practical Reasons and Creative Choices

Overwhelming Power:

Hulk and Thor, the two strongest Avengers, would have overshadowed the other characters in any battle sequence. This is why, whenever they are in combat, there is usually someone to hold them back or prevent them from taking the focus away from the other heroes.

Ethical Conflict:

Thor had no reason to abide by the Sokovia Accords, as he is not a citizen of Earth. This personal conflict keeps him off-world, making his direct involvement in the main storyline less likely.

The Russo Brothers' Vision

The Russo brothers, known for their unconventional and visually stunning storytelling, understood that making Thor and Hulk the center of attention would detract from the core conflict between Captain America and Iron Man. They likely felt that the battle for political jurisdiction of superheroes could be effectively highlighted without the overwhelming power of these two characters.

Balance and Focus:

The movie's main plot centering on the conflict between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark was further enhanced by the introduction of Black Panther as a sub-plot. By saving Thor and Hulk for Thor: Ragnarok, the Russo brothers ensured that the audience could fully appreciate the epic scale and dramatic weight of those characters' stories without compromising on the other narrative elements of Civil War.

In summary, the absence of Thor and Hulk in Captain America: Civil War was a strategic decision by the Russo brothers to maintain a balanced and focused narrative, allowing the other characters to shine and the main conflict to remain at the heart of the story.