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Marvel fans around the world were buzzing with anticipation for 'Avengers: Doomsday,' the next major installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But the excitement turned into surprise when Mark Ruffalo, the actor beloved for bringing Bruce Banner and the Hulk to life since 2012, revealed that the Incredible Hulk will not appear in the film. While the news is disappointing for many who hoped to see the green powerhouse smash alongside the Avengers, Ruffalo's comments also leaves the door open for future Hulk appearances.
A Giant Film Without the Hulk: What 'Avengers: Doomsday' Is All About
One of the largest crossover movies in Marvel history is expected to be 'Avengers: Doomsday.' The film, which is written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely and directed by the Russo brothers, unites legendary characters from the MCU and beyond in an epic battle against Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Doctor Doom, one of the series' most dangerous villains. The cast, which spans the Marvel world, includes returning favorites like Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Chris Evans' Steve Rogers, Paul Rudd's Ant-Man, Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, and members of the Fantastic Four and the X-Men.
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Doomsday, which is scheduled for release on 18th December, 2026, is a part of the MCU's Phase Six and is expected to build directly into 'Avengers: Secret Wars' in December 2027. The tale takes place 14 months after the events of 'Thunderbolts' (2025), with the fate of several universes at stake. Production started in April 2025 at Pinewood Studios in England and ended later that year. Fans have already viewed over a billion teaser trailers, so even in the absence of the Hulk, excitement is still quite strong.
Why Hulk Is Missing: Mark Ruffalo's Confirmation and the Future of Banner
Mark Ruffalo revealed that his version of the Hulk will not feature in 'Avengers: Doomsday,' despite being a founding Avenger and a mainstay of the MCU for many years. Ruffalo stated in an interview with Empire magazine that even if he isn't in the movie, he is willing to come back as long as Marvel keeps coming up with "cool things to do with Hulk." The 58-year-old actor has played Bruce Banner/The Hulk since 'The Avengers' (2012), including appearances in 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law' and other ensemble films, highlighting his long and storied legacy in the franchise.
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One likely reason for Hulk's absence is story placement—Hulk is confirmed to appear in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' releasing in July 2026, which could leave Banner in a narrative space that doesn't easily connect to Doomsday's massive team-up story. Marvel decided to concentrate on other powerful characters for Doomsday, despite some fans speculating that Hulk's story arc may be saved for Secret Wars, where his great power and legacy could play a bigger part.
Ruffalo's gentle reminder that the Hulk's journey in the MCU isn't entirely over gives fans hope that the green giant may yet return, perhaps in an even grander way, even though it's heartbreaking for them not to see the green monster burst into combat against Doom.
