This is a sad day for all of us Hulk fans. Mark Ruffalo has apparently been quoted, in an interview with an Italian website called Bad Taste, saying that his character will not be appearing in Civil War after all. There was a lot of speculation about whether or not he would appear, until it was reported a few months ago that he was, at the time, on the set and shooting a scene for the movie. The scene was shot, but it has apparently been cut from the movie.
This makes this Hulk fan very sad, because I think Ruffalo has been exceptional in this role and cannot get enough of him personally, but Ruffalo did give us all a glimmer of hope for why this happened. His quote is as follows, “I thought that I would be in the film, but evidently the reveal of what happened to the Hulk is something too big and Marvel wants to hold off on revealing it until later. My character had been inserted into the script, but then it was taken away. Who knows, maybe the Hulk will never return. However, they want to keep the revelation of what happened a secret, because it is something really big.”
I think the “maybe he will never return” comment is just Mark playing some defense, he is contractually obligated for a few more films after all. This does soothe some of my disappointment about this issue, because maybe it means they will do a take on my favorite Hulk story of all time. After Banner lost control of the In Hulk once again and went on a devastating rampage in The Incredible Hulk #300 Dr. Strange banished him to the crossroads, a place where he could wander aimlessly through different worlds where he “could do no harm” and if he wasn’t pleased with the world he was in Dr. Strange had a spell implanted within him that would bring him back to the crossroads to try again over and over, in issues #301-313. This story was amazing to me, and made Bill Mantlo, the writer at the time, a huge hero for me. There is a Dr. Strange movie coming up next year in November, after all. (crosses fingers)
If we could finally get another stand alone Hulk movie, I do realize it’s not on the schedule and chances may still be slim, it would make this fan very happy. Heck, if I’m at least right about my guess for the story line about where we will see him next, I will be over the moon with excitement.
What do you think or hope this “really big” secret for what they have planned for the Hulk is? Let us know in the comments.
