The six Avengers that assembled to fight Loki’s invasion in the first Avengers film have become some of the most iconic characters of modern Hollywood. The actors who essayed the roles of the original six Avengers have become a big part of the MCU, and it is difficult to imagine anyone else taking up the mantle of the characters (despite one of them being recast between their solo film and The Avengers.)
Mark Ruffalo took up the role of Bruce Banner, the mild-mannered scientist who transforms into the raging monster, The Hulk, who is a core member of the Avengers. Mark Ruffalo is an accomplished actor, but there was one piece of advice that he received from another actor that made sure that the Begin Again actor crushed the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Sean Penn gave Mark Ruffalo the boost he needed to get the role right
Sean Penn was on set for the first Avengers film, where Mark Ruffalo was making his debut as Bruce Banner in the MCU, taking over from Edward Norton who played the character in The Incredible Hulk. Ruffalo had never done something like the Avengers, which prompted the actor to ask Penn for advice, who was also looking at a comic book film, one that eventually got shelved. Ruffalo, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, revealed:
“I haven’t done anything like this yet, so it’s a whole new kind of world for me. Sean Penn came one day to visit, he watched a scene and I was like, ‘Oh, no…’ because I admire him so much.
I was like, ‘Any insights?’ and he was like, ‘I think what really works about these movies is when they see the actors really enjoying themselves. I think that’s really what you should be going for’. And I took that to heart. I think he was really smart. If he’s like, enjoy yourself, then you know you have license to enjoy yourself.”
Mark Ruffalo would go ahead to become the definitive version of The Hulk in the MCU, appearing in subsequent films and streaming shows, and even being rumored to be a part of the new Avengers that Sam Wilson will look to assemble in, or after the events of Captain America: Brave New World.
Mark Ruffalo also opened up about taking over the character from Edward Norton
Mark Ruffalo talked about taking over the role from Edward Norton, which was a sensitive matter for Marvel Studios. Edward Norton reportedly had a much darker story in mind of the Hulk and Bruce Banner, one that Marvel was not comfortable going ahead with for Bruce Banner. The Poor Things alum said:
“Norton and I are actually friends. I called him, he was like, ‘You’ve gotta do it, buddy.’ He basically bequeathed it to me. It was very cool and very generous of him. I have a deep loyalty to actors, so I wanted to get his blessing before I moved forward on it. I don’t know the whole history or presume to know; obviously there were many different clashes.”
Mark Ruffalo took over the role of The Hulk and seems to be holding onto it for the foreseeable future.
As most of the original Avengers have been permanently benched in the MCU in one form or another, Thor and Hulk seem to be the only characters that are actively in the MCU any longer, and are set to make more appearances if rumors are to be believed.
The Avengers can be streamed on Disney+.
