Saikiran Uppuluri
Saikiran Uppuluri
Mark Ruffalo recently shared his updated view on the possibility of the Hulk getting his own standalone movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s not looking promising for fans hoping to see the green giant take center stage. While discussing the current state of the MCU, Ruffalo expressed his enthusiasm for starring in a Hulk movie that doesn’t focus on other Avengers but noted that the cost would likely prevent it from happening.
Ruffalo mentioned to GQ that he would love to do a standalone Hulk movie, but he doesn’t think it will ever happen due to the high cost associated with such a production. He humorously added, “I priced myself out!” However, some fans may find Ruffalo’s comments puzzling, considering Marvel produced a 6-hour series based on She-Hulk, prominently featuring Ruffalo’s Hulk in several episodes, along with the return of Abomination. This raises questions about whether cost is truly the main obstacle.
The Hulk, portrayed by Ruffalo, has been a significant character in the MCU, appearing in multiple Avengers movies, “Thor: Ragnarok,” several short cameos, and the Disney+ series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” Despite this, Ruffalo has yet to star in a solo Hulk movie, a fact that has disappointed many fans.
Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner and the Hulk from Edward Norton, who starred in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk.” While Ruffalo has expressed hopes for a standalone Hulk movie, he has also been told “not to comment” on the subject, suggesting that there may be ongoing discussions or plans behind the scenes.
One of the reasons cited for the lack of a solo Hulk movie is the character’s struggle to carry a standalone film. The 2008 movie was criticized for its thin storyline but still garnered a respectable approval rating. Additionally, the complex rights situation surrounding the character, similar to that of Spider-Man, has made it difficult for Marvel Studios to produce a new Hulk movie.
Universal Studios, which retained distribution rights to the 2008 Hulk movie for 15 years, held the distribution rights until 2023, potentially hindering Marvel Studios’ ability to move forward with solo Hulk projects. As of March, Marvel Studios confirmed that the rights to the Hulk character are still held by Universal for any solo Hulk movie distribution, giving Universal the right to refuse the creation of any Hulk project as part of their contract.
Despite these challenges, Ruffalo’s comments suggest that there may be developments behind the scenes that could lead to a long-awaited adaptation of “World War Hulk.” Fans will have to wait and see if the not-so-jolly green giant will be allowed to take center stage again in the near future.
