Another 5 MCU characters who definitely won't return in Phase Five

The Incredible Hulk

Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Incredible Hulk, is one of the last remaining original Avengers that is still a remotely active part of the MCU. He survived the events of Avengers: Endgame (although using the Infinity Gauntlet injured him a great deal) and has made occasional appearances since then, with both of them coming in phase four titles Shang-Chi And the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. That said, don't be expecting him to appear in any Phase Five titles.

The most important thing to note about the Hulk's current role in the MCU is that it's very much a recurring one. While fellow OG Avengers Hawkeye and Thor have maintained more pivotal roles (although the former may have officially retired as a hero), Bruce hasn't felt like the main event character he was throughout the first three phases (and even then, fans had issues with the way he was treated).

While that certainly doesn't rule out a cameo appearance in a Phase Five title (Mark Ruffalo mistakenly suggested he would appear in Captain America: Brave New World), the thing that does is the fact that the character will likely be off-world for some time to come. His most recent appearance - in She-Hulk - saw him meet his son Skaar for the first time, which likely suggests that he'll be travelling back to Sakaar for the first time since Thor: Ragnarok to learn more about him and his life thus far.

Ruffalo will definitely be back at some point (albeit not in the Incredible Hulk movie fans have been longing for), but don't be expecting to see him in Phase Five. It's a shame, because an appearance in Thunderbolts would make sense given that Betty Ross and General Ross are appearing in that one, but Bruce Banner will likely be preoccupied for some time to come.