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Mark Ruffalo Opens Up About Taking on Hulk in The Avengers

by Alex Billington
July 29, 2010
Source: PopWatch

We've heard from just about everyone so far - Joss Whedon, Robert Downey Jr. - on the recent confirmed casting of Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / The Hulk in Marvel's The Avengers movie. One person we haven't heard much from yet is Ruffalo himself, but Entertainment Weekly got the chance to ask him a few questions and they made damn sure to ask about the Hulk. Given that his deal was literally just signed that night, Ruffalo hasn't had much time to dwell on the role, but he's got Edward Norton's blessing and is quite excited to take on the big green guy in Avengers. "I was very, very nervous. I didn't know what to expect."

I've heard from others saying that they thought Ruffalo looked nervous, and he definitely was. "It was very exciting — and I realized I had some pretty big shoes to fill. Those were my heroes up there! I was a comic book fan growing up. I loved The Hulk and The Avengers — it's just strange to be entering that world as an actor. I never would have imagined that before." As for his inspirations/connections to the role, he adds:

"He's a guy struggling with two sides of himself — the dark and the light — and everything he does in his life is filtered through issues of control. I grew up on the Bill Bixby TV series, which I thought was a really nuanced and real human way to look at The Hulk. I like that the part has those qualities.

I'm a friend of Ed's, and yeah, that wasn't a great way for all that to go down. But the way I see it is that Ed has bequeathed this part to me. I look at it as my generation's Hamlet."

In fact, Ruffalo's deal for Hulk is so fresh he doesn't even know when they're shooting it yet. "Sometime in the winter. I'm not sure," he says. That gels with what we've heard recently about Marvel gearing up to start shooting The Avengers early next year after things wrap up with production on Captain America and Thor. That's all Ruffalo had to say before topics switched to The Kids Are All Right (which is highly worth seeing) but I will say it's great to hear him talk so enthusiastically about the character, especially after the negativity surrounding Norton's replacement. Of course, there will still be some backlash especially once we see him in character, but I'm happy with Ruffalo and I'm looking forward to seeing The Avengers with him in the cast.

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Boris

Ruffalo FTW!!
Al

I've always liked the Ruffster. Seems like a chill guy. I wasn't that thrilled with Norton, and despite Ang Lee's film totally blowing, I really did like Bana's acting.
http://www.cine-escape.com Sakyo

uhmm...Rufallo is a good actor-...but ...he doesnt seem slim and pathetic like Dr banner...maybe if he lost some weight like bale..maybe.. i just waiting for some footage about it..
DRM

Y'know...I love comics, I'm very positive about the Hulk, but even as a comic book guy I have to say that Bruce Banner isn't really that big of a deal. Especially in a story like the "Avengers", where each individual's story lines take a back seat to the greater plot that weaves them together. They could have cast "Nameless Extra#23" for the role of Bruce Banner and it wouldn't really matter. People want to see the Hulk. Now, if they ever make another Hulk solo movie, THEN it might make a difference who they cast.
Xerxex

Ruffalo will do Banner justice.
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

I love Ruffalo, but he hasn't done anything in his acting career that even comes close to a super hero or action film for that matter. This might be a good thing though seeing as Banner is such a dramatic character and The Hulk will be CG anyways. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but I'm willing to give him a shot. I like what he said about Hulk being our generation's Hamlet, that's definitely true, but I'd say he's more like our generations James Bond to con-temporize it a bit. ...I'm getting a Heath Ledger as the joker kind of vibe from this situation so I think he might surprise us. By the way Alex, why haven't you premiered the Thor trailer yet? It's up over on geeksofdoom.com and I think it's the first time they've ever beat you to the punch on something so huge. The trailer was phenomenal if you ask me, all my doubts which surfaced after seeing the costumes are now gone.
ek

Sorry, had to spam this on here as most readers im sure, would appreciate some footage.. http://gizmodo.com/5599556/check-out-the-full-thor-trailer-and-get-hammered not sure how it hasnt made it on here yet... Alex - you might wana find some better quality one?
Tormentous

Man Iam not sure about this whole thing....of the super hero movies, i just saw the full Thor trailer and it looks like its going to be a complete failure and waiste of time and money.....everything on the trailer seem fake.....and the guy that plays Thor talks straight english not like the original that speaks like in an old aspect, well anyways also his custome makes him look more like a human size toy of Thor than the real one....well if this is how this movie would be (Thor) then Iam really worry about the avengers....
ek

Sorry that's a THOR trailer..
Alice

I'm really excited for him! I heard he got booed at Comic-Con? CLASSY MOVE. UGH that makes me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
Quad

he looks like he's balding! And i'm not talking about Whedon. Ruffalo is a talented actor that will do well with his bit as Bruce. But it will be minimal exposure at best. I suspect Cap, Thor, obviously Iron Man, and Hawkeye will triple in face time. I believe the Hulk will even double Ruffalo`s face time as Banner... seriously, time it out. Ruffalo = 10 minutes of actual shown footage.
lego

off topic, sry. but since "ek" ^ brought it up, i saw that Thor trailer, it was very interesting, looks like it could be epic, but also looks like some terrible support acting from the Asgard characters. back on topic, i think Quad ^ just nailed it with the amount of time he's gonna get in the movie. but with that little amount of time ruffalo's talent could easily steal the show.
ryderup

Ruffalo has never acted bad. So STOP worrying. The probklem I have is that both Ruffalo and Whedon refer to the televisionshow and not the comic. The guy in the tv-series also was a bit "bulky" and "strong" like Ruffalo. So maybe he was cast due to Whedon having the television show in his mind more than the comic.
Kinks!

He is one of the best actors working today. Loved him ever since The Last Castle. Hes followed it up with some great movies, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Collateral, Zodiac, Shutter Island, etc. He deserves a major breakthrough as a household name and you couldn't get a more humble and talented actor for the Hulk part. Delighted for him.
http://www.firstshowing.net buddhistwisdom7

Ruffalo is a pretty damn good actor, I`d say it was a great choice considering the vast ways they could have picked the worst person.
Christopher Nolan

I'm excited to see what he will do with the character. No character in an ensemble is unimportant. In fact, it's the supporting roles that end up always being more memorable.
http://www.ezerk.com Articles

I think he's a great actor. Can't wait to see him in it.
Mark D

Im so damn happy about where they seem to be taking the story in Avengers, I could almost care less who plays Banner. But this guy seems like a great pick. I liked Bana and Norton fine too. With me, you pretty much just say "Hulk Smash!" and I become a teenager again. Love this character.
Don't Worry About It

Mark D, How can you be happy about the story when nothing has been revealed except the cast and Whedon? Stan.