Mark Ruffalo Responds to Rumors He Was Dropped From Marvel
Speculation that Mark Ruffalo had parted ways with Marvel Studios spread quickly across social media in early 2026, prompting the actor to address the claims head on. Ruffalo has played Bruce Banner and the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2012, and any suggestion of a split naturally drew attention from fans.
The actor’s own comments, made during a press tour for an unrelated project, have since put much of the speculation to rest. Ruffalo has not been fired by Disney and Marvel, despite online rumors suggesting that he has.
Why the Mark Ruffalo Marvel Firing Rumors Started
The rumors trace back to two separate threads that eventually merged into one viral narrative. Following the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, a number of claims trended on social media suggesting that Disney and Marvel Studios had fired Mark Ruffalo after political comments he made during the event. Some posts even claimed Marvel planned to reshoot or recast his Hulk character in upcoming projects.
At that same ceremony, Ruffalo wore a gold pin in tribute to Renee Good, a 37 year old American citizen who was shot and killed during an encounter with immigration authorities. When asked about the pin, Ruffalo openly criticized Donald Trump, calling him the worst human being in the world and saying that staying silent no longer felt right. Those comments spread quickly and sparked online debate about whether Disney would take action against him.
A second, older thread also fed the confusion. The story actually dates back to 2018, when Ruffalo joked on The Tonight Show and appeared to spoil an ‘Avengers’ movie title, prompting directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo to post a joking message online. Screenshots of that old joke later resurfaced without context and were mistaken for current news. Marvel itself had previously leaned into the bit, referencing it in interviews and press events over the years, which made it easy for the joke to be misread as fact once it reappeared.
As of late January 2026, there had been no official announcement from Disney or Marvel Studios confirming that Ruffalo’s contract had been terminated or that a new actor would be cast as ‘Hulk.’
Ruffalo Addresses the Rumors Directly
Ruffalo eventually responded to the chatter while promoting his new film. While doing press for ‘Crime 101,’ in which he stars alongside Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry, Ruffalo and his co-stars sat down with an interviewer who asked him the question directly. Asked whether he had gotten the pink slip, Ruffalo laughed and said, “Not that I know of.”
He added that he would remain with the studio as long as they wanted him, noting that he has a good relationship with Marvel and hinted there might already be projects he is quietly involved in. That comment, more than any denial, is what fueled a fresh round of fan theories about a future role.
Ruffalo was not alone in dismissing the story. His ‘Crime 101’ co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry backed him up, calling the firing rumors nonsense, with Berry joking that she would stage a protest if Ruffalo were ever forced out. The lighthearted exchange underscored how little credibility the rumor actually carried among people who work with him.
Part of what kept the speculation alive is that Ruffalo has not appeared in a major live action MCU role since ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ in 2022, aside from voice work on ‘What If…?’ A long gap between screen appearances, paired with a politically charged moment, was enough to make the rumor feel plausible to some fans even without any evidence behind it.
His Absence From ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Explained
A separate but related piece of the story involves Ruffalo’s status in Marvel’s next major ensemble film. Ruffalo confirmed he will not appear as ‘Hulk’ in ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ which is scheduled for release later this year, and that news itself sent a jolt through fans before the firing rumors fully took hold.
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Despite the absence, Ruffalo made clear there was no falling out behind it. He indicated there was no bad blood between himself and Marvel Studios and said he remained open to returning to the franchise down the line. His absence from ‘Doomsday’ appears to reflect a creative decision tied to the film’s story rather than any punishment or contract termination.
The ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ cast finished principal photography in 2025, though some actors are expected to take part in reshoots this spring, leaving open the possibility that Ruffalo’s Hulk could still factor into the finished film in some capacity. Marvel has not clarified those details publicly.
What’s Next for Ruffalo in the MCU
While ‘Doomsday’ will not feature him, Ruffalo’s Marvel timeline is not empty. He is expected to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in ‘Spider-Man 4,’ also known as ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ which is currently dated for July 31, 2026. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in that film, with a supporting cast that includes Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan, and Marvin Jones III as Lonnie Lincoln.
Beyond that appearance, Ruffalo has stayed intentionally vague about what else might be coming. He suggested there might already be things he is working on within the Marvel world without confirming specifics, adding only that people would have to wait and see. That kind of coy answer has become familiar territory for an actor whose off screen comments have a track record of sparking more speculation than they resolve.
For now, the firing rumors appear to have run their course, undone by Ruffalo’s own words and the backing of the people who worked alongside him. Fans who have followed the back and forth, from the Golden Globes speech to the ‘Doomsday’ casting news to his eventual on camera response, may still have questions about how much of his upcoming Marvel involvement is being kept under wraps, and that seems like exactly the kind of thing worth discussing in the comments below.
