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Mark Ruffalo in Discussions to Play the Hulk in The Avengers

by Ethan Anderton
July 14, 2010
Source: Deadline

After the debacle that took Edward Norton away from his role as Hulk for the superhero ensemble The Avengers, aside from the back and forth between Marvel, Norton's agent, and finally Norton himself, there were rumors swirling about potential replacements. Hero Complex mentions names like Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, David Tennant and Joss Whedon favorite Nathan Fillion, but Deadline has a report out of left field that pegs Mark Ruffalo as being in "late-stage discussions" between Marvel and his agency to become the new Incredible Hulk. As crappy as Norton's situation was, Ruffalo is one hell of an amazing replacement.

Just yesterday I was in the middle of a discussion about Norton's potential replacement, and Mark Ruffalo was at the top of my list. He's a great actor that a lot of people probably know by his looks the most, but not necessarily his name. Not only is he currently getting great reviews for his role in The Kids Are All Right, but he's had great turns in films like Shutter Island, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, We Don't Live Here Anymore and of course, The Brothers Bloom. I've sung his praises plenty before, and I'm really glad to see a big role like this coming his way. But I'll tell you who is not going to be happy with this revelation: Marvel.

No doubt, this casting announcement was going to be their big opportunity for a bit of damage control and hopefully the start of a new hype machine at Comic-Con next week, but this kind of leaves them out in the wind (even though it's not official). That's what they get for doing post-production 3-D conversion for Thor and Captain America. So what do you think of Mark Ruffalo as the new Hulk in The Avengers?

Explore tags: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

DoomCanoe

he is a great actor but i don't really think he fits the bill as Bruce Banner although i don't doubt he could pull it off amazingly. So if he is cast I'm down, id just prefer someone else
ryderup

Norton > Bana > Ruffalo Yay! GO GO GO Ruffalo! (But ofc they should not change actor to begion with, so rather Norton just for sake of continuity)
ryderup

Mark Ruffalo can act against RDJR at least, he is a strong actor (Bana and Norton are also strong actors)... the problem is stil Chris Evans. Ruffalo would destroy him actingwise in a scene - even if he was giant and green.
Ryan

Ruffalo is the best actor out there right now, love the guy. Cool cat and fantastic actor. He just really has to nail Bruce Banner, which he could do is his sleep. The guy could play the shark in Jaws.
Eli

yeah. Ruffalo is a good fit for the hulk and for banner. I hope he lands it cause the others mentioned would not do so well. and yeah, he would totally out do chris evans in any scene.
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

Ruffalo is the perfect choice, I like him better than Norton actually so I'm pretty damn pleased with this. I thought Marvel said they were going with an "unknown", but I'm glad they came to their senses and got an excellent dramatic actor.
harm

I'd rather Adrien Brody rather than Ruffalo. I like the guy as an Actor but I see him more as Hank Pym not Bruce Banner...
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

#2 - You really don't like Ruffalo that much?! He's definitely a talented actor, one of my favorites too, not sure about him as Hulk... But I definitely don't agree with your ranking against Norton/Bana.
Xerxex

hey he actually looks like the hulk. Would have preferred Norton, but Ruffalo is a top actor in my opinion so yeah I'm down for this. The only think I am worried about is Hemsworth as Thor after that pic I'm extremely worried. Evans will be fine as Captn, RDJ will be fantastic no matter what, and Ruffalo will do just fine.
Will

I love the Ruff.
ryderup

#8 Ales. I wrote it all wrong. I meant: Norton < Bana < Ruffalo Read post nr3, also mine explaining that Ruffalo is great.
graffiti bandit

The damage is already done Marvel.
John

GOOD CHOICE!
Kris

I hope this is a bad pic, he's looks quite old in this pic.
Jaf

I like the guy, but I think he's soft spoken. A soft spoken Bruce Banner?
S

I just don't see him as Banner. The feel is all wrong. Nathan Fillion for Pym all the way, though.
Cinephile

I'm down for Ruffalo! He is quite a fantastic actor. But I saw in that list of potentials that David Tennant was on there......THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I love Tennant and he would be a fantastic Banner as well. But all in all it is still quite sad to think that Norton won't be around anymore. Ah well... By the by, Nathan Fillion should totally be Hank Pym. Just sayin'.
DB

Ruffalo ROCKS! Love his work (i.e. Zodiac) and hope he gets the role!
RICH

Mark Ruffalo is a great actor, (Shutter Island, Collateral, ) I forgive him for being is stupid movies example (13 going on 30). but he will be a good choice for Hulk, I kind of wanted to have Edward Norton just for continuity of the character but oh well.
Chris H.

Ruffalo may be a good actor but he's far from a name. I promise you that to the masses he's still very much an unknown. You're going to hear a lot of people asking, "Who is this guy?"
Fat Baby

I agree with #1
Left hook

hey you know who would be a great fit for The Hulk and Banner.... Edward fucking Norton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FTW!
http://www.valeriewriter.com valerie Atherton

I like Mark Ruffalo ever since I saw him in The Shutter Island. I thought he did a really good job and made it so that I'd heard of him. He has a big enough build to pull of the monster, so I think it'll be a good movie.
LINKFX

Hey Ruffalo is a great choice. Albiet, they should have kept the continuity and btw you forgot to mention one of his best roles in ZODIAC!!!!
Fat Baby

I like Ruffalo I just don't think he's right for this part and I would not be surprised if this story turns out to be BS
dac_fan

I am so freeked out by all this, I am a super hulk fan and I just hope they do the big green guy justice. Also just for the record I thought Norton was great.
cheezy c

I think he would do really well with RDJ because they did work together in "Zodiac"
Spencer

he was amazing in shutter island...but i would LOVE for it to be adrain brody...he is just awesome.
Tim_Dahill

He is solid choice best one i've heard so far
Colt

id rather not see this happen..
lamar

Eh. I don't object. P.S. -I didn't think Bana was a bad Banner, but Norton fit the bill more since he is kinda scrawny and Bruce Banner is a bit of a wimp before he turns green.
sb

Despite the Norton confrontation.. Why couldn't the show "just go on"? Its not about what happens behind the scenes.. fans should be put first. ! Ruffalo should decline so Norton could be in.. I mean jeez// what if in every star wars film... Han solo was played by someone else??. It would be just awkward dont you think?
Craig

I heard a rumor that Paul Rudd was being considered, and that just seemed like an inspired idea to me. I don't think I've ever seen him in a serious role so I'm not sure if he could handle it, but to me he just looks and feels the part. As for Mark Ruffalo, his appearance and demeanor doesn't really scream Bruce Banner to me, but I've always liked the guy and Shutter Island just proved to me how talented he is. If the part does go to him, I'll be more than satisfied.
Jimmy Love

God you guys jump ship now you all climb back on board. Now I don't wanna see this movie just so I don't have to be associated with this bunch of douche bags. Nortons a prick!
Black Dynamite

Ruffalo a coo cat, but I'm most concerned with how the CGI will change with the absence of Norton. Norton nailed the Hulks CGI, will he look different now?
Roderick

Ruff kind of reminds me of Bill Bixby from the 80s tv show. I right now, have no problem with Ruff, i think Norton is a great actor but the Hulk isn't his property and the studio should have all control at all time. Enough drama, lets see Hulk back on the big screen like yesterday! PS: big question i have is... Will there be a redesign of the Hulk or will the Hulk look the same.
zubzwank

# 23, you say Mark Ruffalo, a fine actor, has a "big enough build to pull off the monster." What do you mean? No human being, not even Lou Ferrigno, can really "pull off the monster" as presented in the comics. I've seen various Hulk stats over the years, but I remember something about the Hulk being 8 feet tall and weighing 1000 pounds. Nobody on this planet could have those dimensions and walk around doing strenuous activities. The Hulk will be played not by a human being, but by an aggregation of pixels created on computers. Bruce Banner is another matter. I always saw BB as a smaller if not scrawny guy who transforms into a brutish green giant. He's not a muscular guy who gets more muscular. That kinda goes against the Hulk mythology. Even so, Ruffalo, who can play confounded characters quite well, would be OK as BB.
napoleonblownapart

Thought Bana was good as Hulk
Akirakorn

I've never really cared for Ruffalo, felt all his performances were the same dull, dry character. Of course I doubt I've seen half his work so my opinion means almost nothing. So I've decided to derail all OMG-Norton-Hulk flame wars by starting a petition. A petition that, should Mark Ruffalo get the role of Bruce Banner, that we, as loyal readers of firstshowing.net, pledge to... whenever Mark Ruffalo is on-screen... in any Marvel film... chant... Rufa-Lo Rufa-Lo RUFA!!! LOOOOOOoooooo!!!!
XXX

I really don't care who will play The Hulk as long as the "Special Effects" are good when he turns into Hulk
ryderup

"I don't think I've ever seen him in a serious role" Halloween6...
Mason

There is a push on FB to get Michael C. Hall considered for the role. Heck of alot better than the Ruff - that's for sure! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-C-Hall-as-Bruce-Banner-Hulk/119077964805337
Clover

I like him as an actor, but this blows dead bears. Mr. Norton or NO ONE!
Jimmy Love

Facebook? that movies gonna suck
Sean

#42 Not bad! I never even considered that but that's an awesome choice!
Benchwarmer

Lame...Lame..Lame...Lame!!!!!! Mark Ruffalo playing a physicist. Can't see it.
Glass

Good actor, not a great one (yet) He has yet to have that breakout performance and he hasn't proven he can carry a movie.