What Happened to Betty Ross in the MCU?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a vast and ever-expanding universe filled with superheroes, villains, and complex storylines. One character who has had a significant impact on the MCU is Betty Ross, the love interest of Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk. However, fans of the MCU may have noticed that Betty Ross has been noticeably absent from recent films. So, what happened to Betty Ross in the MCU?
To understand Betty Ross’s absence, we need to go back to the beginning. Betty Ross was first introduced in the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk,” portrayed by actress Liv Tyler. In the film, Betty is a scientist and the daughter of General Thaddeus Ross, who is determined to capture and control the Hulk. Betty becomes romantically involved with Bruce Banner, and their relationship becomes a central focus of the film.
After “The Incredible Hulk,” Betty Ross’s character seemed to fade into the background of the MCU. She did not appear in any subsequent films, including “The Avengers” series or the standalone Hulk film, “Thor: Ragnarok.” This absence left many fans wondering what happened to Betty Ross and why she was not included in the ongoing narrative of the MCU.
One possible explanation for Betty Ross’s absence is the complicated rights issues surrounding the character. The rights to the Hulk and his supporting characters, including Betty Ross, are shared between Marvel Studios and Universal Pictures. This means that Marvel Studios can use the Hulk in their films, but Universal Pictures has the distribution rights to any standalone Hulk films. This complicated arrangement may have made it difficult for Marvel Studios to include Betty Ross in their films without infringing on Universal Pictures’ rights.
Another reason for Betty Ross’s absence could be the direction the MCU has taken with the Hulk’s character. In recent films, such as “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Endgame,” the Hulk has undergone significant changes. He has become more comedic and less focused on his romantic relationships. This shift in the character’s portrayal may have made it challenging to include Betty Ross in a meaningful way without detracting from the Hulk’s new direction.
It is also worth noting that the MCU has introduced other love interests for Bruce Banner in recent films. In “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Bruce develops a romantic relationship with Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow. This new dynamic between Bruce and Natasha may have further complicated the inclusion of Betty Ross in the MCU.
Despite Betty Ross’s absence from recent films, there is still hope for her return to the MCU. Marvel Studios has shown a willingness to revisit and reintroduce characters from the past. For example, the upcoming film “Thor: Love and Thunder” will feature the return of Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, who has not appeared in the MCU since “Thor: The Dark World.” This suggests that Marvel Studios is open to bringing back characters that have been absent for some time.
Additionally, the upcoming Disney+ series “She-Hulk” may provide an opportunity for Betty Ross to make a comeback. The series will focus on Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner’s cousin, who also becomes a Hulk-like character. It is possible that Betty Ross could be included in the series, either as a supporting character or in a cameo appearance.
In conclusion, Betty Ross’s absence from recent MCU films can be attributed to a combination of complicated rights issues, the direction of the Hulk’s character, and the introduction of new love interests for Bruce Banner. However, there is still hope for Betty Ross’s return to the MCU, as Marvel Studios has shown a willingness to revisit and reintroduce characters from the past. Fans will have to wait and see if Betty Ross will make a comeback in future MCU projects.
