While Norton Was A Solid Bruce Banner, But Mark Ruffalo Made The Hulk A True Avenger

As much as I really do appreciate Norton’s take, I'll also admit I like it...to a point. When we start thinking about the Hulk's future in the MCU after his debut movie and becoming an Avenger, I do believe Mark Ruffalo stepping into the role a few years later in 2012’s The Avengers was the right call for the franchise.

Note: Bruce Banner's Hulk was recast with Ruffalo for 2012's The Avengers, following various creative differences between Edward Norton and Marvel Studios.

Overall, Ruffalo's Bruce Banner brings a far more collaborative energy and chemistry that meshes perfectly with the ensemble of heroes we see in the rest of the MCU, chemistry I struggle to imagine Norton having, had he remained as the MCU's Banner (at least not on the same level).

Regardless, it's no secret that the Hulk's full MCU journey has been undeniably strange. Rights issues have long prevented a direct Hulk solo sequel, explaining why we've only seen Banner in the Avengers movies or paired with other heroes like Thor, She-Hulk, and soon with Spider-Man.

Likewise, the character's evolution into Smart Hulk with Banner and his greener half merging in Avengers: Endgame has proven quite divisive since 2019. Last year's 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World was also a struggle for some Hulk fans, as it very much functioned as a quasi-Hulk sequel 17 years later...without Banner starring in the movie at all.

This was despite Brave New World featuring returns of Betty Ross, Samuel Sterns' The Leader, and Thaddeus Ross, now the MCU's US President, and finally Red Hulk (played by Harrison Ford who took over from the late William Hurt). Even so, 2008's The Incredible Hulk remains a strong launch point for the character overall, as the MCU's Hulk debuted as the true force of nature he's long been on the page.

With recent reports suggesting that the Hulk will soon revert to his more classic Savage Hulk depiction over Smart Hulk in July's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it should be exciting to see the character returning to his original raw intensity, especially with the next two Avengers films on the way.

Let us know your thoughts about The Incredible Hulk (2008) in the comments, and be on the lookout next week.