Hold onto your gamma-irradiated hats, because the internet has been buzzing with rumors that Mark Ruffalo, the beloved Hulk of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has been fired. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the chatter, Ruffalo himself has finally addressed the speculation, and his response might just surprise you. Let’s break it all down.
Since stepping into the role of Bruce Banner/Hulk in 2012’s The Avengers, Mark Ruffalo has become a fan-favorite, seamlessly replacing Edward Norton and leaving an indelible mark on the franchise. While he never headlined a solo Hulk movie—thanks to complicated rights issues with Universal—his performances in multiple Avengers films and Thor: Ragnarok solidified his place in the MCU. Fans last saw Ruffalo in the MCU in 2022’s She-Hulk, and aside from a voice role in What If…?, he’s been notably absent. That’s set to change this summer with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but what lies beyond that has sparked wild rumors of his departure.
In a recent interview with The News Movement while promoting his new film Crime 101, Ruffalo was asked point-blank about the firing rumors. His response? “Not that I know of. People keep going, ‘Did you get fired?’ I’m like, ‘Not that I know of.’” And this is the part most people miss: his co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry swiftly dismissed the rumors as “nonsense,” even joking they’d “protest” if there was any truth to them. Ruffalo added, “I’ll be there as long as they have me. I have a good relationship with them. You know, who knows? There might be things I’m already doing that are… I’m around. Let me just say that.”
This raises the question: will Ruffalo’s Hulk smash his way into Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars? If he had been fired, it would’ve made headlines—just like the James Gunn situation during Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. For now, fans can breathe easy knowing he’s still part of the MCU. But Ruffalo’s cryptic comments hint at something bigger. Brand New Day wrapped production in December, so if he’s teasing “things in motion,” could he be referring to the upcoming Avengers films? Marvel is notorious for keeping secrets, as seen with Chris Evans’ surprise reveal in the Doomsday teaser trailer despite not being announced during the cast livestream.
Here’s where it gets tricky. Doomsday is already juggling multiple superhero teams, different realities, and the introduction of Doctor Doom. Squeezing in a character as significant as Hulk might be a stretch, even for directors Joe and Anthony Russo. A more plausible scenario? Bringing Hulk back for Secret Wars, where he could play a more meaningful role. With rumors of key characters meeting their end in Doomsday, Hulk could fill the void left by a fallen hero. Plus, with Tom Holland reportedly absent from Doomsday, perhaps Brand New Day sets the stage for Spider-Man and Hulk’s team-up in Secret Wars.
Bold statement alert: it would feel incomplete if Hulk wasn’t part of the battle against Doctor Doom. As one of the few original Avengers still active, his strength and Banner’s intellect would be invaluable. While some MCU characters might sit out Doomsday or Secret Wars, Hulk feels like a safe bet—a fan favorite whose legacy Marvel would want to honor. And with a soft reset on the horizon, this could be Ruffalo’s chance for a proper send-off, on his own terms, not because of a firing.
But what do you think? Is Hulk’s future in the MCU secure, or is there more to these rumors than meets the eye? Controversial question: Could Marvel be intentionally fueling speculation to build hype for a surprise return? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!
