Does the MCU Hulk Have a Healing Factor? Explained

We are all quite aware that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), despite having the same characters that appear in the comic books, has a very original take on some of them, which means that the versions we see on the screen aren’t completely identical to the ones we read about in the comics. Generally, that is quite fine, but it does raise certain questions about certain characters and their abilities. Can Thor fly? Does Spide-Man have powers? Does Hulk have a healing factor?

Based on what we know, the Hulk MCU version has a healing factor, just like the original comic book version of the character. The mechanism seems to be a bit different, but that doesn’t change much about the existence of the factor itself.

In the rest of the article, you will learn more about Hulk’s abilities in the MCU. Also, you will find out what happens to his arm after he uses the Infinity Gauntlet in ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ so keep reading!

Hulk’s healing factor in the MCU

We all know that Hulk is a being with many different powers. He is best known for his offensive powers and abilities, making him one of the strongest and most enduring characters in Marvel’s fictional universe. But Hulk also has a lot of exceptionally powerful defensive powers, one of which is a healing factor that renders him practically invulnerable long-term, as the factor will heal each wound inflicted upon him.

We also know that there are a lot of different iterations of the Hulk. Some are from different comic book universes, while others are from different media adaptations, such as the MCU. The MCU is known for making some changes to its characters compared to their original comic book versions, and Hulk is certainly one of them, perhaps even the one who went through most changes.

So, in the context of our article, we have to ask – does Hulk have a healing factor in the MCU?

Based on what we know from the movies, he certainly does. The scene we linked above this paragraph states that the Hulk cannot be killed, even by Bruce Banner himself. At one point, Banner tried shooting himself in the mouth, but he could not do so as the Hulk simply spat the bullet out.

Okay, that is not proof of a healing factor, you might say, but rather proof that the Hulk wants to survive, and you would be right in saying that. But, as we’ve come to understand, Banner did shoot himself, so the bullet must have done at least some damage, which means that the Hulk not only spit it out but also healed himself and Banner simultaneously. And this is not the only example, of course.

The Hulk has had a lot of very tough fights within the MCU. In ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ he fought both General Ross’ army and Abomination, being severely hurt and injured by the latter. In the two ‘Avengers’ movies, he suffered a lot of injuries. In ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ we see him being bitten by Hela’s wolf, who even managed to pierce his skin.

Yet, somehow, Hulk was able to return completely healthy after each of those fights without any permanent consequences for his body, which means that he does have a healing factor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to, well, heal himself.

The difference might be the fact that the MCU Hulk’s healing factor is a bit slower and works differently than his comic book healing factor. In the comic books, his healing factor is rather quick-acting, while the MCU one seems to act a bit slower than that. But it’s still there, and while the producers haven’t explicitly shown it, based on Hulk’s health and stories, we can definitely deduce that it exists.

Does Hulk’s hand heal after using the Infinity Gauntlet?

Now that we have established that Hulk has a healing factor, we can address a pivotal scene from ‘Avengers: Endgame.’

In ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ Hulk is the first among the Avengers to use the Infinity Gauntlet, as he is the strongest and most resilient in the group. Hulk used Stark’s improvised gauntlet, but as soon as he put it on, the power of the Infinity Stones started hurting him. He experienced much pain but could ultimately snap his fingers and activate the Infinity Stones. But at what cost?

As the gauntlet fell from his hand after the snap, his whole arm was visibly burned, and Iron Man even used a cooling spray to heal the burn. Hulk was hurt and exhausted, but he survived despite the severe burns on his arm. So, did his arm heal?

Well, based on the fact that we did see the Hulk later on and without any visible scars or injuries, we can deduce that his arm did heal and that his healing factor in the MCU is so strong that it can neutralize the effects of the Infinity Stones, which is not an easy task, mind you.

What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments below!