Finally, after many years without a streaming platform to call home, The Incredible Hulk has landed on one of the world's biggest services – but it's not coming to Disney Plus.
The oft-forgotten Marvel movie won't make its streaming debut on Disney's platform. Instead, The Incredible Hulk will smash its way onto HBO Max – at least, in countries where Warner Bros' streaming service is available.
Decider was the first outlet to report on the surprise reveal in its 'New to HBO and HBO Max in April 2022' round-up article. TechRadar has since verified that The Incredible Hulk will launch on HBO Max on April 1, with a press blast for HBO's April 2022 line-up confirming this to be the case.
Unfortunately for UK and Australian viewers, The Incredible Hulk won't be streamable on Disney Plus or Netflix . The Edward Norton-starring superhero movie is only available to rent on the Sky Store in the UK, but it's available to stream on Foxtel Now in Australia. The Incredible Hulk is also streamable on Netflix in India.
The Incredible Hulk isn't the first non-Marvel Studios movie not available on Disney Plus. Sony's Spider-Man films aren't either – instead, various third-party licensing deals mean that Spider-Man movies starring Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield are spread across numerous other streamers. For instance, Spider-Man: Homecoming is available on Netflix in the UK and Hulu in the US. Spider-Man: No Way Home , meanwhile, will debut on Starz in the US and Netflix in the UK.
Released in 2008, The Incredible Hulk is technically the second entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The studio recast Bruce Banner before 2012's Avengers Assemble – Mark Ruffalo replacing Norton as the mean, green machine – but The Incredible Hulk is still considered canon in the MCU. That's because Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark and the late William Hurt's General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross appeared in a post-credits scene, setting events in motion for the wildly successful MCU to follow.
Analysis: why is The Incredible Hulk coming to HBO Max?
It's a tricky question to answer. Sony officially holds the rights to Spider-Man and every character in the webslinger's illustrious comic history, which is why Marvel Studios had to enter a partnership deal with Sony in order to bring the webhead into the MCU.
This isn't the case for the Hulk, though. Yes, Universal Pictures is the studio that has distributed both Hulk movies to date – that is, the 2003 Ang Lee-directed live-action adaptation and 2008 Louis Leterrier-helmed flick – but it doesn't own the rights to the Hulk character.
As revealed in The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe book (per CBRom ), former studio executive David Maisel revealed that Universal only has "the right of first refusal to distribute any future solo Hulk movies". That's the reason why we haven't seen a Mark Ruffalo-led Hulk solo film over the past 10 years, and the reason behind his supporting roles in Thor: Ragnarok, other Avengers flicks, and Disney Plus' upcoming She-Hulk TV show .
But, given that Marvel owns the rights to the Hulk, some fans may think it's odd that The Incredible Hulk isn't available to stream on Disney Plus. Marvel Studios is a subsidiary of Disney, after all, so it would make more sense for The Incredible Hulk to be streamable on the latter's service.
However, as Universal still owns the distribution rights to the Hulk, it has a major say in where The Incredible Hulk is made available to watch. Unless Disney makes Universal an offer it can't refuse, there's no reason for Universal to bring The Incredible Hulk to Disney Plus.
So it seems that WarnerMedia has struck a deal with Universal to bring The Incredible Hulk to HBO Max for an as-yet-undetermined amount of time. For now, then, Marvel fans will have to accept the fact that The Incredible Hulk still isn't available to stream alongside nearly every other MCU film.
For more Marvel-based content, check out every Marvel movie release date and TV show announcement in our MCU Phase 4 hub . Alternatively, see where we rank The Incredible Hulk in our best Marvel movies list .
Loki season 2: everything we know so far
Marvel Studios are hard at work developing a ton of MCU TV shows, but few are as keenly anticipated as Loki season 2. The trickster god's first solo adventure was a huge success for Marvel and Disney, so it's unsurprising that the series is getting another instalment.
And it sounds like production on the Disney Plus show is really starting to ramp up. Not only have we had confirmation that two key characters will be back in Loki season 2, but two of Moon Knight 's directors are reportedly on board to helm the Marvel Phase 4 production. There's even an Alligator Loki spin-off comic series on the way, too. Color us excited for all of this and more.
That's not all we know about the superhero series' second season. Below, you'll find even more information relating to Loki season 2. That includes its potential release date, plot points it'll need to address, other likely cast members, and more.
Spoilers follow for Loki's first season , plus potential spoilers for other multiverse-centric projects including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness .
Loki season 2 release date: what we know
Loki season 2 doesn't have a confirmed release date. But, based on new information, it's possible that it may return some time in 2023.
In 2021, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige even suggested (per Collider ) we might not see the cameras roll on season 2 until 2023. However, a new report from Backstage Magazine has seemingly confirmed that Loki season 2 will enter production this summer, which follows a similar report from another Marvel leaker in The Cosmic Circus . Backstage claims that principal photography will take place at Pinewood Studios in London, which backs up claims made by The Ronin about its filming location, too.
Ordinarily, we'd advise you to take this speculation with a big pinch of salt. But, given the number of sources with decent track records, there must be some truth in it. Owen Wilson, who plays Agent Mobius, has also suggested that principal photography will begin " pretty soon ", so it seems that a summer 2022 start date will happen.
If Loki's second season begins shooting this summer, it could debut on Disney Plus in early 2023. That's what we've previously speculated anyway .
One thing we do know is that previous Loki showrunner Kate Herron won't be returning (per Deadline ) for season 2. Michael Waldron, who penned the scripts for season 1, won't return to lead writing duties, either.
According to Deadline , that's because Eric Martin – who was a staff writer on three of Loki season 1's episodes – will pen all six episodes for the sequel. Waldron is, however, staying on to executively produce. Meanwhile, Moon Knight directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (who direct at least two of the Oscar Isaac-starring MCU show's episodes) have been tapped to helm Loki season 2. Given their indie horror and supernatural leanings, such as their work on Archive 81 , Loki's next adventure could be more frightening and spooky than its predecessor.
Loki season 2 cast: who is returning?
Spoilers follow for Loki season 1 for the rest of this article.
Marvel hasn't confirmed any of its returning cast members – Hiddleston aside – yet, but a couple of the show's supporting cast have confirmed their returns:
Hiddleston will reprise his role as the god of mischief in Loki season 2. Meanwhile, Mbatha-Raw and Wilson have revealed that they'll be back (via Good Morning America and Wired ).
Based on how season 1 ended, Wunmi Mosaku should also return as Hunter B-15, with Loki running into an alternate reality version of the character (along with Mobius) at a different Time Variance Authority (TVA). This is the most logical assumption we can make, based on the duo not recognizing Loki.
It's plausible that Loki season 2 will see a reversal of roles between Loki and the other two, too. At the end of episode 6, Loki knows more about He Who Remains (Jonathan Majors) and his other variants, including Kang the Conqueror, than Mobius and Hunter B-15. So he seems better placed to take on the role of 'teacher' in season 2 and bring Mobius and Hunter B-15 up to speed on this supervillain.
As for Mbatha-Raw's Renslayer, in the season 1 finale, we saw Mobius' former ally leave the TVA to search for whoever is responsible for the lies she's been fed. We know that this individual is He Who Remains, but Renslayer doesn't. So she may be in for a surprise when she finds out that He Who Remains is already dead.
A Renslayer variant could be the leader of the alternate reality's TVA, too, much like she does in the TVA in season 1. This would be the easiest way for Mbatha-Raw to return but, if this isn't something Marvel decides to do, Loki and company might meet her again somewhere in the multiverse.
Cordero's Casey may feature in some way. A bit-part (but fan favorite) character in season 1, Herron has revealed that Casey is "fine" by season 1's finale and that she hopes "there will be more Casey to be enjoyed" in season 2 (per THR ).
In a Variety interview, Herron also teased that Casey is employed in a different role in this alternate version of the TVA, and eagle-eyed fans may have already noticed – in season 1's final episode – what role he's likely to have next time around.
One character whose future had been unclear is Sophia Di Martino's Sylvie. However, now we know that Di Martino is likely to return, though this hasn't been 100% confirmed. Di Martino has answered questions about her return in plenty of interviews, including a Q&A in the November 2021 edition of Elle magazine , which suggests she'll be part of next season's cast.
What could that entail exactly? Waldron has previously told Polygon that there wasn't enough time in season 1 to explore Sylvie's backstory in more detail. The show's lead writer didn't rule out that viewers may learn more in season 2 ("I guess we'll see"), as well as hinting that we could even be introduced to another MCU version of Thor .
Finally, we expect Tara Strong to lend her voice to sentient AI program Miss Minutes in season 2. There's been no confirmation about this but, if the TVA is a prominent location in Loki season 2, Miss Minutes should be a part of it.
Loki season 2 plot: what will the story be about?
Unsurprisingly, plot details are scarce. However, Hiddleston told Marvelom that there have been "deep, deep discussions" about what Loki season 2 will entail, and that he hopes it'll be "full of even more" surprises. Speaking at MCM London Comic-Con 2021 (per RadioTimeom ), Hiddleston added: “We can’t say anything [about season two] unfortunately – we’d love to give you something [but we can't]."
Regardless, Hiddleston seems keen to continue exploring Loki's road to redemption, telling Variety : "I understand the audience sees good in Loki — they want him to get past his internal and external obstacles. They want him to repair that relationship with his brother and step into the hero that he can be.
"He realizes, ‘Actually, I can choose my path and choose to do the right thing. Or I choose, at least, not to repeat the same old tricks that I repeated over and over in a cycle of trust and betrayal.’ It’s exciting to retain all the characteristics that makes Loki, Loki, and at the same time to play slightly different music within him."
In a separate chat with Variety , however, Hiddleston went on to suggest that he won't play the trickster god forever. “I’m a temporary torchbearer,” Hiddleston said. “I’ve always thought that. It’s a great role. It’s an archetype, the trickster god, the agent of chaos. I’m just here interpreting that for the time being. Loki has been here for centuries and will be here for centuries more and I’m just stepping into that silhouette for now.”
For now, what can we speculate about for the show's next entry? One of season 2's early plot points should deal with the fallout of Loki turning up in a different TVA. Waldron told Marvelom that there were "different versions" concerning season 1's ending, but this one felt like the right fit for the show.
So Loki finds himself in a TVA that he recognizes, alongside people that he knows, but none of them are aware of who he is.
Season 2's opening episodes can go one of two ways, then, in our view. The first would see Loki interrogated by Mobius about who he is, Loki will reveal all about the real identity of Kang (Jonathan Majors), and they'll join forces to stop him. That would allow Mobius and Loki reprise to their buddy cop relationship from season 1's early episodes – something that fans wanted to see more of before the show went in a different direction with Sylvie's introduction.
Alternatively, Loki could decide to take a leaf out of Sylvie's book. Knowing that He Who Remains' variants (Kang included) are a danger to the MCU, he could decide to destroy the TVA to get Kang's attention, try to take Kang down himself, and become a fully-fledged hero.
That 'hero' idea is more plausible when you take comments from Waldron into account. In the same Polygon article we linked to earlier, Waldron said: "I think that you’re gonna see a Loki that looks at himself in a different way certainly that at the top of this [season 1]", which teases the prospect of the god of mischief continuing on his heroic path.
We might also find out more about the inner workings of the TVA. As Hiddleston told Marvelom , the "moral complexity" of the TVA is a fascinating subject. It was only touched upon throughout season 1, so we could get a better look at how it functions, its values, and the moral compass of its work force.
As for He Who Remains, will he reappear? Seeing as he was killed by Sylvie in season 1's finale, no – but we may see one of his variants. It remains to be seen if that variant will be Kang or not. The season 1 finale ended with Loki looking at a statue of what appeared to be Kang in the TVA, so it's possible that Majors could feature in some capacity.
If he does, and if Loki season 2 is released in early 2023, it'll precede Kang's next appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. We dive into what Loki season 1's finale means for other Marvel projects in more detail below, but Majors refused to reveal much when asked when his character would turn up next in an Entertainment Weekly interview.
Speaking of Kang, Renslayer has a close relationship with the time-traveling evil genius in Marvel's comics. But, chatting to Digital Spy , Mbatha-Raw added that she wasn't sure about the direction of Renslayer's character arc, saying: "Honestly, I genuinely don't know where it's going. I feel like there's so much potential, especially when you're dealing with time, as Renslayer does, you know?"
Herron also expressed her interest in seeing the show's supporting cast, such as Hunter B-15, have their backstories fleshed out.
In the same Variety interview regarding Casey's new TVA role, Herron said: “I was like, we shouldn’t see her memories [as part of episode 4]. It’s a character that thought they had power and realizes they have no power. It felt really powerful to at least give her some power in that scenario. The memories are private. They’re hers. Also, as a fan, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, who is she?!'”
Meanwhile, Di Martino is unsure what's in store for Sylvie, telling Elle: "I don’t know anything about season 2. I don’t know how far it’s going to be removed from what happened at the end of series 1. I don’t know if she will have changed again by the time we see her again. I don’t know where she’ll be, what headspace she’ll be in. I assume she’ll fundamentally still be the same character, but the multiverse makes even [that] a little bit complicated."
Loki season 2 trailer: is there one?
No. Once one is released, we'll update this section.
Loki season 2: how will it impact future Marvel movies and TV shows?
By now, Marvel fans will know how important Loki season 1's multiverse exploration has been for the MCU's future. Spider-Man: No Way Home was affected by multiversal events, while Doctor Strange 2 will examine it in greater detail. Loki is even rumored to make a cameo appearance in Doctor Strange 2 (per THR ), although Marvel is yet to confirm this.
The first season of What If...? , Marvel's animated anthology series, was also loosely connected to Loki's first season, based on the fact that it explores alternate versions of MCU characters and the dimensions they inhabit. So we could see elements of that carried over into Loki season 2.
Majors, meanwhile, will star in at least one other Marvel property. Kang the Conqueror, one of He Who Remains' variants, will be the villain in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which arrives in July 2023.
During a chat with Variety , Herron revealed that Majors' casting was made alongside Peyton Reed, who directed the first two Ant-Man films and returned to helm the third. It's currently unclear if Majors has been cast as Kang (or another variant) in other Marvel movies or TV shows.
Loki season 2 could have ties to Marvel's Fantastic Four MCU film, too.
Comic fans will know that Kang is linked to Doctor Doom, the Fantastic Four's most famous villain, so it's plausible that this superhero group could end up battling Doctor Doom and a Kang variant in their first solo MCU adventure. There's no release date for Fantastic Four as yet, so it will be a while before we can say we got this piece of conjecture right or not.
As for Marvel's TV show line-up (outside of What If...?), this is harder to predict.
We've speculated that She-Hulk villain Titania being from another universe, so this could be a multiversal tie to the fallout of Loki season 1 if our prediction is correct. Secret Invasion may have multiversal elements, too, if Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury has to deal with a secret influx of time variants of MCU characters. Finally, Armor Wars, which will star Don Cheadle as War Machine/James Rhodes, might link to Kang if Marvel decides to bring Iron Lad (another Kang variant) into the equation.
We hope that one or two of our predictions will be right but, honestly, we're just happy that Loki season 2 is in the works. We can't wait for more Loki-centric adventures and we're sure they'll be worth the wait.
How to watch Groundhog Day online and stream the classic Bill Murray movie from anywhere
Starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, the 1993 time-loop classic is widely available on global streaming services. Whether you're celebrating the curious US tradition, or simply want to experience the classic, we've detailed below how to watch Groundhog Day online with the option to even stream it for free .
The film follows cranky big city weathermanait for it, Phil (Murray), who arrives in Punxsutawney keen to complete a quickfire story on February 2's groundhog-related festivities - and hopes not to draw the short straw again next year, as he initially despises the town and disregards its inhabitants.
Instead, he finds himself stuck in a time-loop constantly waking up to February 2 again and again. As the story progresses, he's increasingly drawn to his good-natured production assistant Rita (MacDowell), and rather than making crude passes at her as before, slowly starts falling in love.
That's all we'll say for now, as this is a movie that literally repeats itself, so whether you're in Gobbler's Knob or anywhere else on the planet, here's how to watch Groundhog Day online and take a trip to Punxsutawney!
How to watch Groundhog Day online for free
How to watch Groundhog Day from outside your country
Unfortunately, if you’re out of your country of residence for whatever reason, then geo-blocks will prevent you from connecting to your streaming services and content back home.
Luckily, there’s a simple fix. Downloading a VPN will let you to change your IP address to that of any country in the world: meaning you can access your preferred VOD platform online from anywhere – just like you would in your own living room.
Use a VPN to watch Groundhog Day online from anywhere
How to watch Groundhog Day online in the US
How to watch Groundhog Day in the UK
How to watch Groundhog Day in Australia