Mark Ruffalo Teases Hulk Vs. Banner In Thor: Ragnarok

While doing press for Now You See Me 2, three-time Oscar-nominee Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight, The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher) teased a conflict between Bruce Banner and his alter ego, The Hulk, in the upcoming Marvel film Thor: Ragnarok.

“I think the arc that he is ultimately making in his relationship with The Hulk and how that’s gonna resolve itself, that’s really where … nobody has gone to that place,” Ruffalo told Collider. “He’s always been running from him or trying to deny it but they are coming for a collision course with each other and i think that could be pretty exciting if we can figure out a way, how to do it — multi-dimensionally.” Ruffalo then turns to his Now You See Me 2 co-star Woody Harrelson and enthusiastically says to him, “Hulk versus Banner! Yeah, baby!” They then give each other a high-five. Ruffalo concludes, “The only person in the world that The Hulk is scared of, or thing, is Banner.”

In the comics, from time to time, Banner and The Hulk have been separated. The consequences of it is usually disastrous as Banner’s psyche is paramount in keeping the big green, mean monster somewhat in check. Adding to the possibility is that the Thor: Ragnarok screenwriters, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost wrote the 2009 animated film, Hulk vs. Thor, which featured Loki separating the two, sending The Hulk raging upon Asgard.

The cast features returning stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role for the fifth time; Tom Hiddleston as Thor’s adversarial, adopted brother, Loki; Idris Elba as the Asgardian sentry, Heimdall; and Sir Anthony Hopkins again portraying Odin, Ruler of Asgard. Newcomers to the franchise include Cate Blanchett as the mysterious and powerful new villain Hela, Jeff Goldblum as the eccentric Grandmaster, Tessa Thompsonas the classic hero Valkyrie, Karl Urban as Skurge, and Mark Ruffalo reprising his role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

Thor: Ragnarok, the third installment of Marvel’s popular Norse Super Hero, is directed by filmmaker Taika Waititi. Kevin Feige will produce the film, joined by executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee.

Thor: Ragnarok will be released on November 3, 2017.