Given the tight timelines and large financial investments, most superhero flicks adhere to a script. But sometimes, a unique opportunity for actors to improvise their own lines may occur during the most expensive blockbusters. Take, for example, the iconic duo of Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, who, armed with their stellar improvisational skills, breathed unscripted life into one of our favorite scenes in The Avengers.
Indeed, we witnessed a powerful blend of humor & camaraderie after the ‘final battle’ in the flick, not because of scripted words but rather because of the natural chemistry between these actors. Who could have forgotten the scene in Joss Whedon’s 2012 movie where, after Iron Man’s near-fatal descent, the Hulk’s spontaneous roar revived him?
The Impromptu Brilliance of Robert Downey Jr. & Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers
The Avengers, helmed by Joss Whedon, is arguably one of the most iconic superhero films of all time, and part of what made it so memorable was the chemistry between the cast members. Sure, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, in particular, brought a dynamic energy to their characters that helped elevate the film to new heights.
One of the most unforgettable moments in the 2012 Marvel movie came towards the end of the film after the climactic battle had been won. Iron Man, played by Downey Jr., was lying motionless on the ground, when the Hulk, donned by Ruffalo, had to approach him. In a moment of pure improvisation, the latter decided to roar loudly in Downey Jr.’s face to wake him up.
Iron Man, quick on his feet as always, responded with his trademark wit and charm, creating a moment that fans still talk about to this day. Then, as the Avengers surrounded our beloved Tony Stark, he opened his eyes and asked, “What just happened?” followed by, “Please tell me nobody kissed me”.
The fact that such a pivotal scene in one of the biggest blockbusters of all time was improvised speaks volumes about the talent and chemistry of the actors involved. It’s not often that actors are given the freedom to go off script in a film of this magnitude, but in this case, they were rewarded handsomely.
With a global box office receipt of over $1.5 billion, The Avengers broke multiple records and was the highest-grossing movie of 2012 (Box Office Mojo).
How Robert Downey Jr. Swayed Mark Ruffalo to Play The Hulk
Since Mark Ruffalo assumed the role of Hulk, it is hard to imagine anyone else playing Bruce Banner. However, did you know that the 56-year-old actor needed to be convinced to accept the role?
The I Know This Much Is True actor admitted in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that he was “scared” to enter the Marvel cinematic universe as the Hulk in Joss Whedon’s 2012 film The Avengers:
I was scared. I didn’t know what I could add to what I already thought had been done so well before me.
Ruffalo explained to Fallon that he had “only been doing indie movies up ’til that point”, which was one of the reasons behind his reluctance. The former added:
So I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m the right person for this.’ And Joss Whedon’s like, yeah, ‘you are the right person’.
Not only did the director attempt to convince Ruffalo that the actor would make a terrific Bruce Banner but his co-star, Robert Downey Jr., also contributed equally. Iron Man star called Ruffalo to offer some encouragement, as the latter admitted:
And then I got a call from Downey, it must’ve made it to him that I was hemming and hawing, and he just simply said, ‘Ruffalo, let’s go. We got this.’ In true Iron Man fashion. And then after that, I was like, ‘I guess I have to do it’.
The Avengers will forever be remembered as a groundbreaking film in the superhero genre, and moments like the improvised scene between Downey Jr. and Ruffalo are a big reason why. It just goes to show that sometimes the best moments on screen are the ones that are completely unplanned.
The Avengers is streaming on Disney+.
