Mark Ruffalo: ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Will Be A ‘Buddy Picture’


The Hulk has been nothing more than a collaboration character since Mark Ruffalo stepped into the role some years ago, but the actor has spoken out this week about his role in Thor: Ragnarok, and revealed that the Hulk won’t only make an appearance, but the film will also be a “buddy picture.”

Speaking to New York Daily News, whilst promoting his latest film, Spotlight, Ruffalo revealed that the green-eyed monster will make an appearance in the upcoming threequel, and confirms that Thor and The Hulk may lock heads at some point.

“I don’t really know that much about it, but I think it’s going to be a buddy picture with Thor and Bruce Banner. I think they’ll probably fight. There’s no doubt, everyone wants us to fight at one point.”

“I know that it’s about [the Norse legends of] Ragnarok, or the end times in the Marvel universe as it pertains to Thor, which seems to be quite the theme these days in movies.”

Previous conclusions on the plot suggested that the third film will see Thor and Hulk leave Asgard on some sort of interplanetary adventure, although details are still under wraps. The love/hate relationship between the two characters in The Avengers and The Avengers: Age of Ultron has been one of the more hilarious sub-plots in recent Marvel outings, and it seems it will get some time to shine and entertain in Thor: Ragnarok. Ruffalo hinting at a smackdown between the two characters is always music to the fans ears, but will this finally lead to the Hulk — and Mark Ruffalo — having their first solo outing in the modern era?

Mark Ruffalo Reveals The Hulk Will Appear In 'Thor Ragnarok'2
Thor leaps into action in 2017, returning in Thor: Ragnarok. Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures.

Hulk was the scene stealer in the first two Avengers movies, but Mark Ruffalo himself doubts he will ever step in front of the camera in an individual outing as Hulk. After finally portraying the green beast accurately on the screen following two dubious solo movies, this will come as a surprise to the fans. Speaking to Empire in February, Ruffalo explains why, for the time being, a solo outing might not be a great idea.

“[A new feature-length Hulk movie is] a tough nut to crack. Traditionally you’re watching a guy who doesn’t want to do the very thing that you want him to do. It’s hard to take for two hours. I don’t know how many times you can use that same framing for it, but now he’s maturing and there’s a cool dynamic growing between Banner and The Hulk.”

Which explains why having him feature as a co-star in future Marvel projects might be the sensible solution. After all, Hulk is a beloved character, but fans were disappointed at his stand-alone movies — both Ang Lee’s Hulk, in 2003, and Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk, in 2008 — and were relieved when Ruffalo brought Bruce Banner, and his alter-ego, some much needed heart and soul, a dynamic that ushered familiar sympathy on our reluctant hero. There were even rumours that the Hulk might not appear at all after Phase 2 of Marvel’s film releases, which ended in the summer, something hinted at in the finale of The Avengers: Age of Ultron. With this news, fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Mark Ruffalo Reveals The Hulk Will Appear In 'Thor Ragnarok'
The Hulk. Will he appear in any other Marvel movies? Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures.

So, good news for Hulk fans, Marvel isn’t completely forgetting one of the most beloved superheroes on their roster. Going forward, though, there is massive potential for Hulk to appear elsewhere. Since the character now has interplanetary transport, why not have him appear in Guardians of the Galaxy 2? A drastic return in Avengers: Infinity War Part I and Part II could be expected, too, what with his fellow Avengers being in serious trouble. A cameo on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, as Bruce Banner only, would be a nice touch. It could spice up the show a little and keep the fans interested. Putting him in Captain America: Civil War would be overkill with the current, bloated cast, but what about an infamous post-credits sequence? As an outside bet, why not have him pop up in Doctor Strange, which would be a unique way to connect newcomer Stephen Strange to the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Whatever the decision, Marvel certainly has plenty of material to work the Hulk into. Whether they do it or not is yet to be confirmed. Regardless, you can catch the Hulk in Thor: Ragnarok when the film opens on July 28, 2017.

[Feature image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]

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