Marvel star Mark Ruffalo has said he’s still keen for a solo Hulk movie — though isn’t sure if it will ever happen.
Ruffalo has a string of appearances as Bruce Banner under his alter ego’s oversized belt, but has never starred in his own solo Hulk film. 2008’s The Incredible Hulk is considered part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but featured Edward Norton in the title role.
Still, after appearing in everything from The Avengers to Captain Marvel, Thor: Ragnarok to Shang-Chi, isn’t it time Ruffalo finally got the spotlight all to himself?
“I’d love to have a solo Hulk movie,” Ruffalo told GQ, launching into an explanation of why it’s been a contractually difficult prospect in the past. “I don’t know if you know the story of that, but [The Hulk’s movie rights are] not really owned by Marvel. It’s a Universal property.”
Fans have long known of this fact, which is believed to have complicated ideas for a new Hulk solo project while at the same time still allowing the character to co-star in other heroes’ films, as well as The Avengers team-up movies. However, Ruffalo continued by saying this situation hasn’t stopped Marvel discussing solo ideas.
“We keep talking about it, what it would be,” he continued. “There’s been so many Hulk movies already, it’s like, does anyone really want another one? But I’d love one, and I do think the audiences would be into it if we could crack the nut of it.”
The last time viewers saw The Hulk was in Disney+ show She-Hulk, which follows the exploits of Banner’s lawyer-turned-Hulk cousin, Jennifer Walters. Its season finale featured Banner revealing that he had fathered a son, a younger-looking Hulk named Skaar — a plot thread that the MCU is yet to return to.
Since then, Captain America: Brave New World also featured Harrison Ford as Red Hulk, meaning there are now at least four Hulks running around somewhere (or stuck in prison, until the MCU ever revisits their plotlines again). Could this end up leading to something? Fans have long hoped for an adaptation of the World War Hulk comics plotline, though to date nothing more than rumors have ever materialized.
For now, Ruffalo is set to return as the original Hulk in next year’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day — though isn’t yet confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday. This week, Ruffalo was spotted on the Spider-Man: Brand New Day set for the first time, alongside Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, who’s been cast in a mystery role.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
