Mark Ruffalo Teases The Tug Of War Between 'Banner' & 'Hulk' In AVENGERS: AOU
We heard from Robert Downey Jr. yesterday, and next to be interviewed in Empire's series of Avengers: Age Of Ultron exclusives is Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Click on to find out what he says about the amount of control the human side has over the monster, and vice versa.
When the release of a massive movie like Avengers: Age Of Ultron draws near, it's inevitable that the multitude of interviews conducted with those involved are going to lead to some old ground being covered. For the most part, that's the case with Empire's latest chat with Mark Ruffalo... though there are some very interesting new details about the relationship between Bruce Banner and his slightly grouchier alter ego.
Ruffalo describes the Hulk as the "atom bomb" of the team, and though it seemed that Banner was able to assert a modicum of control over the Green Goliath towards the end of the first Avengers movie, it actually becomes more of a two-way battle in the sequel, with Hulk always seeking to become the dominant personality. He says the group had prepared for this eventuality (which seems obvious given the fact that Tony Stark built himself some Hulkbuster armor), but that it was actually Banner who came up with the "contingency plan". The actor also mentions a scene in the sequel which will see the Hulk willingly transform back into Banner, though he doesn't reveal why!
"There’s a battle going on between these two opposing egos that live inside him. He’s definitely worried that the day is going to come when the Hulk gets the best of him, and maybe won’t release him, maybe won’t give him back. The Hulk knows this too. There’s a moment in here where he, begrudgingly, decides to go back to Banner. Who knows where these things will go, but as Bruce is able to impress his will on the Hulk, going into The Hulk and being inside the Hulk when he’s raging, The Hulk’s will is also growing and able to impress upon Bruce. That makes for some wild things. We’re laying the groundwork for that here. It’ll be interesting to see if that ends up being what would be the next Hulk movie."
And what about that solo Hulk outing? Ruffalo still doesn't know much more about it unfortunately, but though nobody at Marvel has spoken to him yet, it sounds like he's definitely on board if they decide to make it. "I can make The Hulk as real as any other character I’ve ever played and in ways more nuanced, more interesting. It’s boundless." Ruffalo also talks about working with green screen and motion capture, which animals influenced his take on the Hulk, fan-reactions to his casting and more -- so be sure to click on the link below to check it out.