Mark Ruffalo Confirmed For THOR: RAGNAROK

It’s a rumor that has been circulating for the past couple of days, but Deadline has now confirmed that Mark Ruffalo is in final talks to appear in Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok.

This will mark the first time that Ruffalo’s interpretation of haunted scientist Bruce Banner and his alter ego, the incredible Hulk, will have a substantial appearance outside of one of Marvel’s Avengers movies. He had a small cameo at the end of 2013’s Iron Man 3. Ruffalo had previously been rumored to be part of the cast for next spring’s Captain America: Civil War though that proved false. Edward Norton played the role in 2008’s Incredible Hulk.

Ruffalo’s inclusion adds a number of possibilities for story elements in the third Thor film. When last seen at the end of last summer’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron, the Hulk was speeding away in one of the Avengers’ quinjets, looking to escape to isolation where he would not be able to hurt anyone. It should be interesting to see how Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost’s screenplay manages to get the character into a story which, from its title, hints at some fairly apocalyptic action for Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his fellow Norse gods.

Taika Waititi is set to direct Thor: Ragnarok, which has a November 3, 2017, release date.