Why Didn’t Hulk Recognize Thor in the Thor: Ragnarok Trailer?

Despite the vibrant and entertaining nature of the Thor: Ragnarok trailer, one scene creates quite a bit of curiosity and frustration: why doesn’t Hulk recognize Thor?

The answer lies deeply within the narrative and character development of both Hulk and Thor. After the intense battle of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Hulk flies away to Sakaar, a distant planet, where he is forced into gladiatorial games. His time away from Earth has significantly influenced his demeanor and capabilities, making his reunion with Thor all the more dramatic and humorous.

Priming Events and the Quinjet Experience

The plot-thickening events in Avengers: Age of Ultron set the stage for Hulk’s departure. In the trailer, we see him flying away from a Quinjet, a vehicle seen earlier in the film. This departure is pivotal, as it introduces the separation between Hulk and the other Avengers, setting the tone for his subsequent persona change.

Adapting to Sakaar: A New Persona

On Sakaar, Hulk finds himself stripped of his prior identity and forced to become a champion in gladiatorial games. This lifestyle and the new stimuli on the planet significantly alter his perception and recognition abilities. The emotional stress and drastic changes in his environment contribute to his lack of immediate recognition when Thor arrives on Sakaar. Additionally, Hulk operates more on a primal level, making his ability to recognize people depending on his emotional state and experiences.

Primal and Emotional State

Hulk's behavior is driven more by primal instincts and emotional responses. Unlike humans, he doesn't have the complexities of memory and psychological connections that allow for instant recognition. His memory functions more like a child's, reacting to immediate needs and emotions rather than stored memories.

The Realm of Sakaar and Thor’s Arrival

On Sakaar, Hulk has been away from Earth for a long time, and his experience is dramatically different from what he remembers. This long absence and the new identity he has developed have a profound impact on who he is and how he perceives others. Specifically, his lack of recognition of Thor adds a layer of comedic and dramatic tension to the film. Despite having possibly recognized Thor, the trailers don't provide a definitive answer due to the complexity of Hulk's new persona.

Comparisons with Other Stories

The scenario in Thor: Ragnarok is not without precedent. Drawing from the (Planet Hulk) comic series and the animated film Thor: The Dark World, Hulk is attached to a small obedience disk, which restricts his ability to harm fellow human beings, including his former friends. This disk is a symbol of his new life on the planet as a gladiator, imposing limits that prevent him from following his primal instincts.

This juxtaposition between his new life and his old one adds depth to the character. The device, which was a significant element in the animated film, doesn't allow Hulk to perform at his full strength, further complicating his recognition of Thor. Despite the formidable challenges and newfound persona, it remains a key plot point for the film's audience.

Reuniting as Avengers

As is well-known, despite the initial estrangement and training of Hulk on Sakaar, he and Thor are likely to reunite as fellow Avengers. This reconciliation is hinted at in the trailers but left open-ended. The dynamic between the two characters serves to add both humor and drama to the film, creating tension and anticipation among viewers.

In conclusion, the lack of recognition between Hulk and Thor in the Thor: Ragnarok trailer is a multifaceted issue stemming from the film's narrative, character development, and the vastly different experiences of the two characters post-Sakaar. This complexity makes for a compelling and entertaining storyline that continues to captivate audiences.