As the Marvel Cinematic Universe closes in on its next monumental chapter, directors Joe and Anthony Russo have been pressed once again to address the fate of Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk ahead of the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. Following the re-release of Avengers: Endgame, which introduced a set of new scenes designed to tie directly into the sequel, the Russos confirmed that Dr. Bruce Banner remains “certainly involved” in the story surrounding Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, even as they stubbornly declined to confirm whether Ruffalo himself will appear on screen. The comments came in a new interview with Empire Online, arriving amid months of fan speculation over whether the beloved gamma-powered hero would return for the film.
The renewed interest in Banner’s fate traces back to a tradition that has become almost customary for the MCU’s biggest films: fans routinely decode major twists long before a movie’s release, forcing cast and crew to play coy for weeks or months. The most recent example involved Sadie Sink’s role as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a reveal that remained officially unconfirmed until the film hit theaters despite being widely understood by audiences. Now the Russos are navigating the same gauntlet in the lead-up to Avengers: Doomsday.
A New Endgame Scene Stirs the Mystery
Marvel has already revealed dozens of actors returning for Avengers: Doomsday, but one prominent name has conspicuously been left unconfirmed: Mark Ruffalo. That ambiguity left fans wondering whether Hulk would appear at all. Everything shifted with the re-release of Avengers: Endgame, which added a handful of new scenes crafted to connect directly to Doomsday. One such scene, which appears to take place after the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, depicts Dr. Banner in self-imposed confinement that is rudely interrupted by an off-screen voice declaring he has “come to collect Banner.” A flash of light erupts, Banner vanishes, and green runes are left glowing in the empty cell. The mysterious figure who breaks him out is, of course, Doctor Doom.
“There’s really no way to step around that. You know us. We’re just fighting ourselves to save the presents for Christmas morning.”
Anthony Russo, Director
When Empire Online directly asked the Russos to confirm Banner’s involvement, the directors dodged a direct answer as deftly as possible. Anthony Russo opened with the holiday-season remark above, before adding a more substantive tease. “Banner is certainly involved in the story that revolves around Doom,” he said. “We will not confirm or deny his appearance in Doomsday.” Anthony Russo then reminded audiences that many characters and actors have yet to be announced for the film, a remark that feels like the closest thing to a confirmation fans are likely to receive. Of course, the possibility remains that Ruffalo never appears in Doomsday and that the Endgame Encore scene instead sets up his debut in 2028’s Secret Wars. Only time will tell.
Why Would Doctor Doom Want Bruce Banner?
The Endgame Encore scene naturally raises a pressing question: why would Doom go to such lengths to collect Banner in the first place? The Russos offered only a cryptic hint on the matter, suggesting that “his interest may extend beyond just Banner.” This could point to Doom’s fascination with Banner’s research on gamma suppression, a concept Peter Parker expanded upon with his own mutation inhibitor device. Gaining access to technology capable of negating the powers of numerous heroes would prove a formidable asset in Doom’s anticipated confrontation with the Avengers.
Alternatively, there may be a more thematic motivation behind Doom’s desire to gather Banner. Doomsday appears poised to heavily emphasize the fact that Robert Downey Jr.—who previously portrayed Tony Stark—now plays Doctor Doom, with footage in the Endgame Encore scene drawing a direct parallel between the two characters. Stark and Banner have shared a close relationship since the very first Avengers movie, the two genius scientists finding a strange camaraderie together. Forcing Banner to aid Doom, and offering the chance to explore a twisted inversion of Stark and Banner’s dynamic, could yield a powerful new plot thread for the film.
Looking Ahead
With the Russo Brothers having confirmed Banner’s involvement in the broader narrative while withholding specifics on Ruffalo’s physical appearance, anticipation continues to build for Avengers: Doomsday. The film remains the next major milestone in the MCU’s ambitious saga, with Secret Wars slated for 2028 should the Endgame Encore scene prove to be a setup for Banner’s fuller return. As more cast announcements and footage are released, the true nature of Doom’s interest in Bruce Banner—and whether the Hulk will finally reappear—will hopefully come into focus.
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