Former Hulk Actor Comments On Potential Future MCU Multiverse Appearance

Following Spider-Man: No Way Home and other MCU films using the multiverse, a previous Hulk actor comments on whether he would return as Bruce Banner.

Former Hulk actor Eric Bana has opened up about a possible return as the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Bana played Bruce Banner and his destructive alter ego in 2003’s Hulk, with the actor giving life to the first CGI version of the Hulk in live-action. Bana was then succeeded by Edward Norton, who played the MCU’s Bruce Banner in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and Mark Ruffalo, who took over after Norton and Marvel Studios had issues and plays the Hulk to this day.

Speaking on The Fox Melbourne’s Fifi, Fev & Nick for Breakfast, Bana revealed that a multiverse return as the Hulk for a new MCU movie is likely not in the cards for him. The actor was direct in his response, saying, “I can’t see it. I can’t see it.” Based on how sure Bana seems about his time as the Hulk being over, Ruffalo is likely going to be the only version of the Hulk in upcoming Marvel movies for the foreseeable future. Check out the full exchange below:

“Interviewer: In the Marvel Universe, that sort of world. Like Spider-Man, there’s movies now where all of the Spider-Mans have come back together… Would you ever play the Hulk again? You, Edward Norton, Mark Ruffalo. Three Hulks kicking about.

Bana: I can’t see it. I can’t see it. No…”

Why Eric Bana Won’t Return As The Hulk In A Future MCU Movie

Ruffalo’s Hulk Is Unlikely To Unite With A Past Actor’s Version Of The Character

While Spider-Man: No Way Home was brought up in the interview, Bana’s possible return as the Hulk would not be on the same level as the MCU movie. Spider-Man: No Way Home was a tremendous success not due to it bringing back multiverse versions of Spider-Man, but because Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men are fan-favorites. Bana’s Hulk movie and performance as Banner are simply not as beloved as that of the live-action Spider-Men.

The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has focused on bringing back actors who were popular in their roles. While that can come in the form of highly successful stars like the Spider-Men or Hugh Jackman’s impending return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3, actors who were beloved in their roles but were not given their time to shine in the past, such as Kelsey Grammer as Beast. Bana’s Hulk, sadly, does not fit the two categories, making his possible return as the Hulk unlikely.

Besides, from the way the actor talked, it seems like Bana has moved on from the Hulk. Since 2003’s Hulk, Bana has never made a return to the superhero genre, instead focusing his acting efforts on a wide range of roles across dramas, comedies, and more. Given how Norton’s Hulk is more popular than Bana’s, and due to Marvel’s issues with the actor Norton being out of the cards for the Multiverse Saga, it would make little sense for Bana to be the one to return as the Hulk.