Why Wanda Maximoff Could Not Manipulate Bruce Banner into the Hulk in 'Avengers: Infinity War'

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wanda Maximoff, known as the Scarlet Witch, utilized her powers to manipulate Bruce Banner's mind, causing him to transform into the Hulk due to fear and confusion. This feat was possible due to Wanda's relatively new understanding of her powers and her exploitation of Bruce's pre-existing fears and insecurities about the Hulk. However, by the time of Avengers: Infinity War, several factors contributed to why Wanda could not achieve the same manipulation:

Character Development

Bruce Banner had undergone significant character development between the two films. He had learned to better manage his relationship with the Hulk, becoming more aware of his emotions and the circumstances that trigger the transformation. This newfound understanding and control over his own emotions made him less vulnerable to Wanda's mind-manipulation techniques.

Emotional State

By the time of Avengers: Infinity War, Bruce Banner was dealing with the aftermath of the events in Thor: Ragnarok. In Ragnarok, the Hulk refused to come out after being defeated in combat, leaving a psychological barrier that made it difficult for Wanda to exert the same level of influence she had in Age of Ultron. Even if Wanda tried to manipulate Bruce, the Hulk was not as responsive as he had been previously.

Different Circumstances

The stakes in Infinity War were drastically different. The Avengers were facing a powerful threat in Thanos, and the focus was more on collaboration and strategy rather than individual emotional manipulation. Wanda’s powers were now being directed towards protecting Vision and fighting against the immediate threat, rather than causing specific transformations. Wanda was more concerned with the safety of her teammates, particularly Vision.

Wanda's Own Growth

By the time of Infinity War, Wanda had matured as a character and was more focused on her own battles and the protection of her teammates. This shift in focus may have limited her inclination or ability to manipulate others. Wanda now prioritized her own actions and decisions over trying to manipulate her friends for their benefit.

There are two additional reasons that come to mind:

Personal Preferences and Safety

Firstly, I believe that Bruce Banner would not want his mind messed with just to get the Hulk to come out. Bruce's character development shows a deep respect for his own inner battle and the Hulk. Wanda's previous manipulation was a result of her inexperience and a desperate attempt to control the situation. For Bruce, such manipulation could be perceived as a violation of his personal space and autonomy.

Bruce's Response to Wanda's Mind Warp

Secondly, Wanda's mind warp had driven the Hulk crazy. During the mind manipulate event, the Hulk was smashing everything around him, including innocents, friends, and even Wakandans and Bucky Barnes. This aggressive and uncharacteristic behavior could have instilled a strong aversion in both Wanda and Bruce to repeat such an action. The Hulk's actions would not align with his usual nature, making Bruce wary of allowing Wanda to attempt it again.

In conclusion, the character development of both Wanda and Bruce, the different emotional and physical circumstances they were in, and Wanda's own growth all contributed to why she could not manipulate Bruce Banner into the Hulk in Avengers: Infinity War. These factors highlight the complexity of the characters and the dynamics within the Avengers team.