I haven't seen the movie yet but I agree with you, not having Hulk in this made no sense. If this is supposed to be Sam's movie, they shouldn't have had so many Hulk related characters in the film. It really was a nonsensical decision in my opinion. They should have had a villain(s) that actually came from Captain America's part of the Marvel universe, not the Hulk's.

Julius Noah's explanation as to why Hulk wasn't in this wasn't good storytelling and makes no sense when it comes to the villains chosen for this movie. Yes, this is a film about Sam, so why did the director think it was a good idea to include so many Hulk related characters but not Hulk himself? He said it is because he didn't want to take the focus away from Sam by including the Hulk in this.

He can try to claim that his reasoning is sound but I don't agree with him and I know I'm not the only one. I guarantee you that whenever the audience sees the Hulk related characters in this movie, they are gonna be wondering when Bruce Banner and the Hulk are going to make an appearance. And the people thinking that are 100% justified.

To me, not having the Hulk in this feels like a complete disregard to the hopes of many Hulk fans that wanted to see the Hulk go up against Red Hulk and especially the Leader ever since his introduction was teased in The Incredible Hulk almost 20 years ago!

Yes, Julius Onah was the director and so he can make the storyline in his vision, but that doesn't make his reasoning justified when it came to the villains he chose for this movie. The director said he is happy with how the film turned out but I doubt most people feel the same. Which is kinda reflected when it comes to the reviews of this movie.

Like I previously stated, I haven't seen this movie yet, but I doubt I will be completely happy with this movie because of all the Hulk related characters that are in this with the absence of Bruce Banner and the Hulk himself.