Another major character from the comic books has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in She-Hulk episode 9, which saw Bruce Banner return from the farthest reaches of space with a surprise for his family.

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The She-Hulk ending has set social media alight with its fourth wall-shattering twists and fan service, but arguably the most consequential development is the introduction of the Hulk's son, Skaar.

A key character from the Hulk mythos, Skaar has been both friend and foe to his father in Marvel lore, as the two of them have a strained relationship due to the tragic circumstances of his childhood.

You can find a full breakdown of the dramatic Skaar origin story below, as well as everything we know so far about the character's MCU incarnation.

Who is Skaar? World War Hulk backstory explained

Skaar as he appears in Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of SMASH
Skaar as he appears in Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of SMASH Disney XD via Getty Images

Skaar was born out of Planet Hulk, the storyline that inspired Thor: Ragnarok, in which Hulk was expelled from Earth to the farthest regions of space after being deemed too dangerous by the scheming illuminati. After winding up on Sakaar, just as he does in the film, Hulk becomes a champion of gladiatorial combat, rising through the ranks to challenge the oppressive leadership of the planet.

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Not seen in the film, he also falls in love with a Sakaaran woman named Caiera the Oldstrong, with the two ultimately becoming king and queen after toppling the cruel former regime. However, their rule would not last long, as when the ship that Hulk was banished on unexpectedly explodes, it claims the lives of millions and leaves Sakaar utterly ravaged.

Among the fatalities is Caiera, who had been pregnant with Hulk's child at the time. In his grief and fury, he returns to Earth for revenge on those who cast him away in a storyline titled World War Hulk. Later, he learns that Caiera's final act had been to save the life of her son, who rapidly grew among the ruins of Sakaar (likely due to the gamma radiation in his DNA).

The spirit of Caiera remained long after her death and was a guiding voice through Skaar's early years, but ultimately, she denounced him after his reckless actions led to Sakaar's destruction and the deaths of its remaining inhabitants. Using her powers, she expelled him from the planet (like father like son), sending him to Earth.

To say that Skaar and Hulk have a rocky relationship to begin with would be an understatement – of course, they have their obligatory scrap upon first meeting – but things do ease between them over time. That said, Skaar remains firmly an antihero, and primarily keeps to himself in the Savage Lands; a region of the Marvel Universe where prehistoric animals still reign.

Is Skaar joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Mark Ruffalo as Smart Hulk / Bruce Banner in Marvel Studios' She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, exclusively on Disney+.
Mark Ruffalo as Smart Hulk / Bruce Banner in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios.

Yes! Skaar officially joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law season finale.

Earlier in episode 9, it seemed that plans to introduce the character could be postponed by She-Hulk herself, who removes the return of Bruce Banner from her final confrontation to the chagrin of artificial intelligence KEVIN (a parody of Kevin Feige).

However, the cyborg ultimately gets his way, as Bruce and Skaar suddenly appear in the final moments at a barbecue attended by the Walters family and Jen's new love interest Matt Murdock (AKA Daredevil).

This latest addition to the MCU continues an ongoing trend of the franchise setting up younger characters poised to inherit popular roles, as the existing roster of actors will eventually have a desire to step back.

Yelena Belova is already firmly in place as the new Black Widow, while Kate Bishop is primed and ready to step into Hawkeye's boots when Clint Barton begins his long-threatened retirement.

On the mystic side of the universe, Wanda Maximoff's children Billy and Tommy – also known as Wiccan and Speed – have been introduced, known to comic book readers as key players in the Young Avengers.

Most recently, Thor took on an adoptive daughter called Love (see Thor: Love and Thunder) – the resurrected offspring of his fearsome former adversary Gorr the God Butcher – who could become a powerful hero when she grows up.

Such was the case with Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott (Paul Rudd), who was aged up for Avengers: Endgame and has been once again for her next appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where she'll finally get involved in the action.

Who plays Skaar in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Skaar is played by actor Wil Deusner in the final episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Comic book fans may recognise the up and coming actor from his role in DC's Stargirl, where he played high school student Joey Zarick across the first two seasons.

Deusner has little to do in this episode as Skaar's appearance is brief and does not feature any dialogue, so it's possible the actor could be swapped out for a bigger star down the line.

Marvel has previously done this with the role of Cassie Lang, dropping Avengers: Endgame actor Emma Fuhrmann in favour of Kathryn Newton for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a year. Check out more of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.

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