Mark Ruffalo Hints at Possible Hulk Role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Mark Ruffalo has once again stirred up Marvel fans by admitting he still hasn’t received a script for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, despite persistent rumors that he will reprise his role as Bruce Banner, better known as the Hulk.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of his new HBO series Task, Ruffalo explained that while he hasn’t been officially confirmed, he’s thrilled about the possibility of working alongside Jon Bernthal, who is returning as Frank Castle, aka the Punisher.

“If I’m doing that – which, honestly, I’ll only know once I actually see a script – then I can’t wait to work with Jon,” Ruffalo said. “I’ve heard so many great things about him, and Lena Dunham, who’s a mutual friend, adores him. He’s hilarious, he’s intense, and no one else embodies that character quite like him. I’ve never even met him in person yet, so it would be a real honor.”

Ruffalo hasn’t appeared in the MCU since his 2022 stint in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which left fans divided but kept Banner in the spotlight. His potential return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day could mark another crossover moment that has become a hallmark of Marvel’s interconnected universe – a move some fans love, while others argue Spider-Man deserves to stand on his own without the Avengers constantly dropping in.

The new Spider-Man film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton of Shang-Chi fame, is currently filming in the UK. Rumors suggest the story will scale back to a more street-level narrative, with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker facing off against grounded villains like Michael Mando’s Scorpion. The cast also includes newcomers Sadie Sink, Tramell Tillman, and Liza Colón-Zayas in undisclosed roles, alongside franchise regulars Zendaya (MJ) and Jacob Batalon (Ned).

While Ruffalo’s role remains uncertain, the speculation underscores Marvel’s ongoing balancing act between fan service and storytelling. A Hulk cameo could raise the stakes but also risks overshadowing Spider-Man’s own journey. Still, if Bernthal’s Punisher and Ruffalo’s Banner share the screen, it could offer a gritty, unpredictable dynamic not yet seen in the MCU. Whether Ruffalo ends up smashing his way into the film or not, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter for Holland’s web-slinger.