Full spoilers observe for She-Hulk episode 6.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law episode 6 has arrived on Disney Plus – and the Marvel TV present may need lastly launched us to its major villain, a mysterious group generally known as Intelligencia.
That is not all, although. Based mostly on Marvel comics, Intelligencia’s arrival within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) might tie She-Hulk’s Disney Plus show into some upcoming Marvel Phase 5 motion pictures, comparable to Ant-Man 3 and Captain America 4. We do not know who’s main this villainous group, however that is not going to cease us from speculating on who that could possibly be, what their motives are, and why they need She-Hulk’s blood.
Under, we’ll clarify what Intelligencia is within the comics, the way it’s been tailored for the MCU, and the way they may play a extra lively function in Marvel’s juggernaut franchise shifting ahead. Full spoilers observe for She-Hulk’s sixth episode, so flip again now for those who’re not caught up.
Who’s Intelligencia in She-Hulk episode 6?
Within the context of the MCU, Intelligencia seems to be a Reddit-style web site the place the world’s worst criminals – and the largest She-Hulk haters – put up photographs and demise threats, geared toward She-Hulk, seemingly with out repercussions.
As episode 6’s ending reveals, although, evidently this website is a entrance for a shadowy, science-led group. We see a message from somebody generally known as HulkKing pop up on a pc display – one which asks “Is the subsequent section of the plan able to go?” – that reveals information regarding Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk’s DNA. We additionally see a scientist carrying a damaged needle – the identical one which the Wrecking Crew tried to make use of to extract She-Hulk’s blood in episode 4 – to a desk. The unknown particular person rapidly units it apart in favor of a extra ominous, drill-looking machine, which is bound for use on She-Hulk in subsequent week’s episode.
So, who (or what) is Intelligencia precisely? Within the comics, Intelligencia is the title of a gaggle comprising the best and most sinister minds on earth. It was arrange so the world’s biggest villain might trade info on superheroes, comparable to their weaknesses or to plan plots to carry the world’s greatest defenders down.
The group, which was created by Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier, made its debut in December 2009 within the first problem of the Fall of the Hulks: Alpha storyline. Its most up-to-date look got here in 2017’s Notorious Iron Man #6, however it hasn’t been used since. Anticipate that to vary, with its reputation more likely to soar within the wake of the group’s MCU debut.
How would possibly Intelligencia arrange future Marvel motion pictures?
That’ll be right down to the evil geniuses who’re members of Intelligencia within the comics.
First up is The Chief, aka Samuel Sterns. Within the comics, The Chief is a Hulk villain. Slightly than possessing superhuman power, accelerated therapeutic, and different conventional Hulk-based powers, although, The Chief has a genius mind and, in some instances, telekinesis and telepathy. It is his superhuman intelligence that makes him such a formidable foe; one who’s uniquely positioned as a villainous foil to the Hulk.
Curiously, The Chief is about to be the primary villain in a forthcoming Marvel Part 5 movie. He’ll seem in Captain America: New World Order, with Tim Blake Nelson set to reprise the function of Sterns/The Chief from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.
Nonetheless, it is more and more probably that he’ll reappear within the MCU in She-Hulk’s TV collection first. The Chief is the person who based Intelligencia within the comics, so it is sensible for him to be revealed as the massive dangerous in She-Hulk: Lawyer at Legislation. He might reach buying a pattern of She-Hulk’s blood and, because of his supreme intelligence, would possibly even be capable to crack the Hulk gamma radiation components and create a brand new breed or race of Hulk-like creatures.
If he does so, that might type the idea for Captain America 4’s plot. The New World Order aspect of its title may be a touch in the direction of The Chief’s want for humanity to evolve into Hulks utilizing his new serum. Remember that the Hulk’s authentic serum was based mostly on the supersoldier serum given to Captain America. If The Chief concocts a brand new serum that turns folks into Hulks, it might carry this complete MCU arc full circle, and make for an interesting story the place Sam Wilson’s Cap has to cease The Chief from finishing up an evil masterplan a long time within the making.
If the serum’s results are everlasting, too, She-Hulk and Captain America 4 might arrange a World Struggle Hulk movie. How cool wouldn’t it be to see Mark Ruffalo’s Sensible Hulk go up in opposition to different villainous variations of himself, comparable to Kluh, Rick Jones’ Abomination, or a revised iteration of Purple Hulk? We’ll cut up the earnings from this concept with you, Marvel, for a 50-50 share.
She-Hulk may also arrange parts of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Within the comics, MODOK is one other member of the supervillain group. He is additionally set to make his MCU debut within the subsequent Ant-Man superhero film, so perhaps we’ll get a tease about his potential Intelligencia involvement throughout or after Quantumania. That is so long as he survives the occasions of that film, anyway.
Within the comics, lesser recognized Intelligencia members have ties to the Improbable 4, too, with this superhero group getting their first MCU film in Marvel’s Part 6 slate. The Mad Thinker and Purple Ghost had been a part of Intelligencia’s line-up, with the villainous pair combating Mr Improbable and firm at instances within the comics. We do not anticipate to see both antagonist present up in She-Hulk or future MCU initiatives, however their ties to Intelligencia and the Improbable 4 cannot be ignored.
Talking of the Improbable 4, their most well-known villain – Physician Doom – joined the Intelligencia as effectively. We would be stunned if he is not the first antagonist in Marvel Studios’ Improbable 4 movie when it arrives in November 2024, so might he be teased as a live-action Intelligencia member in She-Hulk’s TV collection? It is unlikely, however an Easter egg or passing reference would not go amiss.
Lastly, the Intelligencia had been the group liable for inflicting the arrival of the Beyonder – a cosmic entity who ushered within the first of Marvel’s two Secret Wars storylines in 1984. On condition that the sixth Avengers film, which lands in theaters in November 2025, is known as Secret Wars, that is one other hyperlink again to the Intelligencia and the doubtless integral function they’re going to play within the MCU.
Depsite its positioning as a authorized comedy, then, She-Hulk may be an important Marvel TV present within the grand scheme of issues. That is if any of the above proves to be true, after all – we’ve got no insider data about future Marvel movies, so take this with a pinch of salt.
Nonetheless, the arrival of Intelligencia within the MCU opens up loads of narrative avenues to discover. And, in our opinion, all the above would make for compelling viewing if Marvel decides to go down all or any of these storyline-based routes in Part 5 and past.
For extra Marvel-based content material, take a look at our Marvel movies in order information. Alternatively, discover out how we’ve ranked every MCU film to date, or take a look at our rankings of the MCU villains from worst to best.