Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk Sidelined: Shocking Twist in Spider-Man 4
Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner won’t join the Avengers: Doomsday lineup, as new reports reveal a dramatic turn for the Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Find out what’s keeping him away and what it means for the future of the MCU.
Fans hoping to see Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner in the next Avengers team-up are in for a surprise. Recent updates indicate that Ruffalo’s Hulk won’t be part of the Avengers: Doomsday roster. According to insider James Mack, a major event in Spider- Man: Brand New Day will force Bruce Banner into isolation, keeping him out of the action in the upcoming Avengers installment.
Hulk’s Fate in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Speculation about Ruffalo’s return as Banner has been swirling for years, but confirmation finally arrived that he’ll appear in Spider-Man 4. However, this comeback comes with a dark twist. Mack revealed that something devastating happens to Bruce in Brand New Day, pushing him away from society and preventing his involvement in Doomsday. The scoop suggests that the heroes of Earth want nothing to do with Bruce after he crosses a line.
Bruce/Hulk was in the initial plans for Avengers Doomsday, but I heard that something very terrible happens to Bruce in BND to keep him away from humans, which ends up leaving him absent from the events of Doomsday.
But… obviously, he returns in Avengers Secret Wars
Reports claim that Banner’s actions in Spider-Man 4 are so severe that the other heroes, including Yelena’s Avengers, decide to keep him away from humanity. The reference draws parallels to the Illuminati saga, but with a new spin for the MCU.
Banner’s Downward Spiral and the MCU’s Response
Additional details from Mack and other insiders suggest that Hulk’s rampage in Brand New Day results in casualties, leading to his forced exile. The New York-based heroes are said to be deeply unsettled by his actions, prompting a plan to keep him isolated.
He adds that HULK ends up killing people in Spider-Man Brand New Day, and the New York heroes (Yelena’s Avengers) don’t like that, which leads to a plan to keep him away from humans
Alex Perez from The Cosmic Circus echoed these sentiments, noting that both Peter Parker and Bruce Banner will confront their own trauma and guilt in the film. While Peter wrestles with emotional scars, Bruce’s anger reaches new heights, unleashing a version of Hulk more dangerous than ever before.
For Hulk, it ’s similar, except it unleashes a big green monster on the rampage, angrier than he’s ever been before.
Unlike previous appearances where Hulk was held back, Brand New Day may push him to a breaking point, with the possibility of him taking a life for the first time in the MCU.
Looking Ahead: Secret Wars and World War Hulk Hints
Despite his absence from Doomsday, Ruffalo is expected to reprise his role in Avengers: Secret Wars. Multiple reports point to his return in the 2027 film, fueling excitement for a potential reunion with other original Avengers and the chance to see a full-fledged World War Hulk storyline.
Fans have taken to social media to express their hopes for Banner’s comeback, with many eager to see him unleashed in Secret Wars. The anticipation for a more intense, unrestrained Hulk is at an all-time high.
Ruffalo himself has hinted at big things to come, stating,
“Well, it’s gonna be hard to top Endgame, but if I know Kevin [Feige] and if I know Marvel, it’s gonna be pretty amazing. It’ll be a big bang, we’ll go out with a big bang.”
He’s also expressed interest in exploring a World War Hulk arc or even a solo film, saying he’s ready whenever Marvel is.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday are set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026, and December 18, 2026, respectively.