As we all know by now, Mark Ruffalo will become Bruce Banner/Hulk in Marvel’s The Avengers. He will be replacing Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk). Here’s an interview with the actor, after he was introduced at his first ever Comic-Con adventure.
What was it like appearing en masse at Comic-Con last weekend and being introduced to 6,500 screaming comic book fans?
It was very exciting — and I realized I had some pretty big shoes to fill. Those were my heroes up there! I was a comic book fan growing up. I loved The Hulk and The Avengers — it’s just strange to be entering that world as an actor. I never would have imagined that before.
You had never been to Comic-Con before?
No, I had not. I was very, very nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. That’s as close you’re going to get to being a rock star as an actor. The fans — they have very strong feelings toward their comic book heroes.
You’ll be playing Bruce Banner, The Hulk’s human alter ego. What are your thoughts on the character?
He’s a guy struggling with two sides of himself — the dark and the light — and everything he does in his life is filtered through issues of control. I grew up on the Bill Bixby TV series, which I thought was a really nuanced and real human way to look at The Hulk. I like that the part has those qualities.
Did you have any trepidation taking the role, given the very public way Marvel split with Edward Norton?
I’m a friend of Ed’s, and yeah, that wasn’t a great way for all that to go down. But the way I see it is that Ed has bequeathed this part to me. I look at it as my generation’s Hamlet.
When do you start shooting?
Sometime in the winter. I’m not sure.
Mark Ruffalo is a class act. Like I stated before, he’s one of the best actors in Hollywood for quite some time now. He’s by far, one of the most underrated. I have no doubt that he will give us a great Bruce Banner; even if it’s just little screen time, or a lot.
What do you guys think of Ruffalo?
I would have liked to have seen Norton in the role just for continuity’s sake but I think Ruffalo will do fine. How much is Banner even going to be in the film anyways? Five minute?
If Bill Bixby is the style they are going for, out of Bana, Norton, and Ruffalo, Ruffalo or Bana best man for the job. so I’m happy with the choice.
I’m very happy with Ruffalo, I think he’s gonna do great.
As far as Hulk’s design. That is the biggest problem with adapting Hulk from the page to the big screen. In efforts to stay true to the comic book they’ve made him so large that the illusion is spoiled, and you lose all connection to banner in the hulk.
There’s a reason Wolverine doesn’t wear yellow spandex in the movies. As long as Hulk remains gargantuan the hulk movies will continue to not resonate with people.
I like Mark Ruffalo, but sometimes I see him and think about David Cross in Scary Movie 2 (especially the part where he has the ‘human liquid’ on his face.)
not really a Ruffalo fan… and since i really liked the Ed Norton rendition, guess ill reserve final judgement till the film comes out.
I’m very happy that Ruffalo has stepped in. I just saw The Kids Are All Right and he was great in it. He can definitely play the Banner part well. While I wouldn’t say he’s underrated completely I would say that he just flies under the radar…if there is a difference. My only question is how is the Hulk going to look? Has there been any news in regards to that? Are they staying with the version from Norton’s or going to re-do it completely. I’ve said it before, I hope they stick with the 2008 version.
I think they’re gonna stick with the design from TIH.
Still woulda liked Jouquin in this role….something about this guy screams Vanilla to me.. he’s just kinda invisible in the roles I’ve seen him in.