Mark Ruffalo took on the mantle of Hulk in the first Avengers movie, succeeding Edward Norton in portraying the iconic character. Despite ultimately delivering a stellar performance that showcased his prowess as one of Hollywood’s finest actors, Ruffalo initially hesitated when Marvel Studios extended the offer to play Bruce Banner. It was only through a persuasive call from Robert Downey Jr. that Ruffalo was convinced to take on the role.
The Incredible Hulk
In a candid conversation with Jimmy Fallon, the actor shared the fears he had about stepping into the shoes of The Incredible Hulk, especially given Edward Norton’s commendable portrayal in the 2008 film. “I was scared,” Ruffalo admitted, expressing uncertainty about how he could contribute to a character that he believed had already been portrayed exceptionally well.
Joss Whedon, the movie director
Joss Whedon, the movie director, played a crucial role in convincing Ruffalo to accept the challenge. Despite the director’s reassurances that Ruffalo was indeed the right fit, the actor remained hesitant. It was then that Robert Downey Jr., Ruffalo’s future co-star, intervened. Downey Jr. reached out to Ruffalo and, in true Iron Man fashion, simply said, “Ruffalo, let’s go. We got this.” Encouraged by Downey Jr.’s confidence, Ruffalo decided to embrace the role.
Ruffalo agreeing to play Hulk
The process of Ruffalo agreeing to play Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was not without its unique twists. In a departure from Marvel’s typically secretive nature regarding its projects, Ruffalo managed to obtain a few pages of the Avengers script. Reading these pages solidified his interest and commitment to portraying the superhero.
Decision-making Process
Reflecting on his decision-making process, Ruffalo explained, “I wanted to read a script, and they don’t give you scripts. I made a promise when I was a young actor that I would never do another movie without reading a script beforehand because it’s a recipe for disaster, and then you get stuck in something — our only power as young actors is our ability to say ‘no’ sometimes.”
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