Picture this: Mark Ruffalo, the guy who's brought Bruce Banner and his monstrous alter ego to life in countless Marvel adventures, finally getting his own blockbuster spotlight. But here's where it gets controversial – despite his iconic role, Ruffalo is the only original Avenger who hasn't starred in a dedicated solo film yet. Fans are buzzing with excitement, yet hurdles like tangled rights make it a tricky proposition. Dive in with us as we unpack this Hulk-sized dilemma and explore why a new movie might (or might not) smash its way into theaters!
Among the founding Avengers, Mark Ruffalo stands out for not having led a solo vehicle for his character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The franchise's single standalone Hulk movie, The Incredible Hulk, cast Edward Norton as the green behemoth. Ruffalo took over for The Avengers and has returned repeatedly in ensemble flicks or supporting spots, like his memorable cameo in Thor: Ragnarok. With his upcoming role in next summer's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, fan curiosity about a fresh solo outing for Hulk remains high. As Ruffalo himself revealed, it's a frequent topic of discussion.
In a chat with GQ, Ruffalo opened up about his desire for a Hulk-centric film. 'Yeah, I'd love to have a solo Hulk movie. I don’t know if you know the story of that, but it’s not really owned by Marvel; it’s a Universal property,' he explained, shedding light on the complex rights situation. For beginners, this means that the rights to produce new Hulk movies are held by Universal Pictures, not Disney-owned Marvel Studios – a relic from old Hollywood deals that can complicate things. 'I don’t know if it’ll ever really come to be, honestly. We keep talking about it, what it would be. 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,' Ruffalo added, hinting at both optimism and realism.
And this is the part most people miss – could there truly be a new Hulk flick in the MCU? To make it happen, Disney and Marvel Studios would need to negotiate with Universal, which still controls distribution rights for new films featuring the character. Think of it like this: They struck a similar deal with Sony to integrate Spider-Man into the MCU, a move that broadened the universe and delighted fans. But here's a controversial twist – is that negotiation really necessary? Unlike Spider-Man, who was absent from Marvel films before the Sony pact, Hulk can already appear in Avengers movies or crossovers. So, Marvel could sidestep the drama by simply opting out of solo Hulk projects, avoiding potential headaches.
This approach has paid off handsomely. Ruffalo's Bruce Banner has become a beloved figure among fans, even without a dedicated series like Iron Man or Captain America. His journey has unfolded across MCU appearances, giving him a solid character arc, though perhaps not as deeply explored as his teammates'. Marvel has cleverly woven in comic book elements from Hulk storylines into other films, maximizing the situation. For instance, Hulk's internal struggles and transformations have added emotional depth to ensemble stories, showing how versatility can compensate for the lack of a solo spotlight.
That said, don't get us wrong – a new solo movie could offer real perks. Centering the film on Hulk would let creators delve deeply into his psyche, which is harder to achieve in group adventures or someone else's movie. Imagine exploring the raw power, the inner turmoil, and the heroism in ways that Avengers films only touch upon. Plus, the She-Hulk finale dropped a bombshell by introducing Bruce's son, Skaar – a massive plot point from the comics that's ripe for development. With so many Multiverse Saga reveals fizzling out (for those new to this, the Multiverse Saga is Marvel's ongoing storyline involving parallel universes and epic crossovers), it would be refreshing to see Skaar evolve into a full character. A solo film could spotlight Bruce's paternal challenges, throwing him into uncharted emotional territory and family dynamics that could resonate widely.
Yet, here's another layer of debate – timing might be everything, and it could already be too late. The Multiverse Saga is ramping up for its grand finale with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, setting the stage for a 'soft reset' of the MCU, as confirmed by Kevin Feige. This means some elements or characters might fade away or change, making room for new stories. With whispers of the X-Men taking center stage in the next phase (dubbed the Mutant Saga), legacy heroes like Hulk might get meaningful farewells in the upcoming Avengers epics. Ruffalo isn't confirmed for those yet, but it would feel off if such a cornerstone Avenger skipped the showdown against Doctor Doom.
What do you think, fellow fans? Should Marvel push for a solo Hulk movie despite the rights hurdles, or is the current setup good enough? Is Ruffalo's take on Hulk's overabundance of films a fair point, or do audiences still crave more green-skinned action? Share your hot takes below and jump into the debate on the ComicBook Forum – let's hear if you're team 'Solo Hulk Now' or 'Stick to the Ensembles'!
