In a 2024 interview with GQ, Ruffalo stated that it's financially tricky for Marvel Studios to make a Hulk movie, saying that "it's very expensive if you did a whole movie, which is why they use the Hulk so sparingly." As valid and accurate as that statement is, there is also the matter of the Hulk distribution rights.
Ruffalo has continued to appear as Bruce Banner / The Hulk in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2020) and in the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022).
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Are they making another Hulk?
Mark Ruffalo says another standalone Hulk movie would be too expensive. “I'd love to do a standalone Hulk, I just don't think that's ever going to happen,” the actor said, going on to add that bringing the Hulk to life is a costly endeavor.
"Tony Stark's story is far from over," Downey said. "Iron Man 4 will explore new dimensions of the character and his legacy through the eyes of Morgan.
A similar incident turns Jen into the titular superhero in She-Hulk, which not only sees Roth's Abomination return for a much larger role, but also introduces Bruce Banner/Hulk's son Skaar into the MCU. She-Hulk: Attorney At Law brought the total number of MCU Hulks to four: Bruce, She-Hulk, Abomination, and Skaar.
“The Incredible Hulk” only grossed $264 million worldwide, a sharp decline from “Iron Man's” $585 million. It's well known by now that Marvel scrapped all the follow-up plans it had for Norton continuing as Hulk. He was later replaced by Mark Ruffalo.
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk. Ruffalo first appeared as Bruce Banner in 2012's The Avengers (taking over the role from Edward Norton), followed by supporting performances in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
Enraged, Hulk absorbed the whole radiation of the planet and also gained the so-called Old Power, powerful energy flowing through Sakaar, and it literally transformed him into a living, breathing cosmic bomb capable of completely destroying entire planets from releasing the huge amounts of gamma energy..."The World ...
At the height of Hulk's all-out war against Earth's superheroes, when he was at the apex of his rage and strength, he was struck down by Iron Man's orbiting satellite weapons.
America and Thor during the World War Hulk Event? Cap had been shot by Sharon Carter (under the direction of Doctor Faustus), and Thor was dead via the events of the most recent Ragnarok. Both would come back, of course, but it was important, nay, crucial that these two characters were benched during the events of WWH.
After the mixed reception to Universal's 2003 film Hulk, Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the character, though Universal retained distribution rights.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Hulk quit the Avengers as a form of self-sacrifice. He believed himself a threat to everyone, including Black Widow, and he left the team, and Earth. However, in the comics, he made no sacrifice, leaving the team in disgust.
With the introduction of Smart Hulk in Endgame, it seems like anger is no longer a factor in the Hulk's journey in the MCU. As he explained in the movie, he "put the brain and the brawn together." And in a strange way, it's a shame that the Hulk may never be able to go back to his iconic, angry self.
Back in 2014, Edward Norton said that the reason he didn't return to play The Hulk is because he'd “experimented and experienced” everything he'd wanted to from that kind of movie, and didn't want to be tied down to the “obligations” that came with starring in a superhero franchise.
Since then, there have been talks about The Incredible Hulk sequel, but nothing really materialized. Leterrier told Comicbook in August 2023 that the sequel would have featured different versions of the Hulk.
While Ruffalo has starred as Hulk in Marvel movies, the rights to the character are actually owned by Universal Pictures, predating Disney's 2009 acquisition of Marvel Studios, which means Universal has the right of first refusal to distribute any stand-alone Hulk movies.
