Summary

Ruffalo expresses desire for standalone Hulk movie, citing cost as a major obstacle to its realization.
Evolution of Hulk movies reflects studio challenges, rights issues similar to those faced by Spider-Man.
Limited distribution rights held by Universal could hinder long-awaited Hulk solo project from Marvel Studios.

Mark Ruffalo has shared an updated view on the chances of the Hulk getting his own MCU movie – and it is not looking good for those still holding out hope for the green giant to take center stage. While discussing the state of the MCU right now, Ruffalo continued to enthuse about his dream of being allowed to star as the Hulk in a movie that does not focus on other Avengers, but says that the cost will likely prevent it happening. Speaking to GQ, Ruffalo said:

“I’d love to do a standalone Hulk, I just don’t think that’s ever going to happen. It’s very expensive if you did a whole movie, which is why they use the Hulk so sparingly. I priced myself out!”

However, Ruffalo’s comments maybe don’t quite stack up when considering Marvel did make a 6-hour long series based around She-Hulk, which also included Ruffalo’s Hulk prominently in a few episodes, and also brought back Abomination. So is cost really the issue?

She-Hulk Release Date August 18, 2022 Seasons 1 Studio Marvel Studios Franchise Marvel

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going through a rocky patch in the last few years, and many believe that its best days are behind it. This in part is due to the loss of several major characters fans invested 10 years of their lives in, such as Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, Chris Evans’ Captain America and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. However, one original Avenger who has long been rumored to be due another shot at a solo movie is the Hulk, but over time the chances of it happening have greatly deminished.

Ruffalo took over the dual role of Bruce Banner and the Hulk from Edward Norton, who starred in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. There is no denying that Ruffalo has made Banner his own, appearing in all the Avengers movies to date, as well as Thor: Ragnarok, several short cameos, and the Disney+ series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. But one thing missing from Ruffalo’s resume is a solo movie as the Hulk, and while he has hopes of it happening, the actor recently said that he has been told “not to comment” on the subject.

Speaking to ComicBook.com while attending the premiere of his new movie, Poor Things last year, Ruffalo was asked whether Disney’s buyout of NBCUniversal’s stake in Hulu could open the door on a Hulk solo project. Ruffalo said:

“Not that I know of. I’ve been asked not to comment on it, that specifically. Hopefully one day though they’ll work it out. I think it could be really cool and I’ve been putting a lot into what it could be to be cool, but I don’t know yet.

Why Has Mark Ruffalo Not Had a Solo Hulk Movie?
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

For some reason, the Hulk as a stand-alone character has always struggled to carry a movie. The 2008 movie was criticized for not having much of a story behind it, but still brought in a 65-70% approval rating. By recent standards, this range would be considered a huge success.

When it comes to the Hulk getting another solo movie, well, that falls into the same category of messed-up and complex rights-bound Marvel characters that Spider-Man is part of. Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have an often tenuous agreement over the continued use of the character within the MCU. In the case of the Hulk, things are a little more tricky.

Related The MCU Does Not Need Another Hulk Movie While there’s a complicated reason that Marvel Studios hasn’t produced a Hulk movie since 2008, the MCU doesn’t really need a new Hulk movie anymore.

Universal’s original deal with Marvel Studios allowed them to retain the rights to the 2008 movie for 15 years. This expired in 2023, giving many fans hope that Marvel Studios would be able to press on with solo Hulk projects. In March this year, Marvel Studios confirmed that rights to the character of the Hulk, are still held by Universal when it comes to distribution of any solo Hulk movie. In short, any Hulk movie would need to be distributed by Universal, who has the right to refuse the creation of any Hulk project as part of their contract.

With Ruffalo’s comments suggesting that something is happening in the background that could lead to that long-awaited World War Hulk adaptation, fans can only watch and wait to see whether the not-so-jolly green giant could be allowed to take center stage again in the near future.

Mark Ruffalo’s previous appearances as the Hulk in the MCU can be found in the
Avengers
movies,
Thor: Ragnarok
and more on Disney+.