Ed Norton played Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk, but creative differences with Marvel Studios meant that the actor had parted ways with Kevin Feige and company by the time The Avengers rolled around in 2012. Mark Ruffalo was revealed as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's new Jade Giant in 2010, and has played the character ever since.
During an interview with Variety, Ruffalo was asked about whether he ever pictured himself playing a character like The Hulk on the big screen, and he admitted that it wasn't something he saw coming.
"Never. We had this little theater and that was my dream come true," the actor said, reflecting on his career. "We were doing, like, 10 plays a year on Santa Monica Boulevard. I was bartending, but as shitty as the day could be, when I walked in the theater, I was in heaven. It’s when I met Sunrise [Ruffalo’s wife] and she was like, “I think you might be shooting a little bit low. I think you can probably expand what you think you’re capable of."
Asked if he ever pinches himself on the set of these Marvel Studios movies, Ruffalo acknowledged that he's all too aware that he "shouldn't even be there."
"Yeah. Every time I’m whining like, 'God damn, how long are we waiting for the set up?' I’m like, 'Hey, Remember you’re not even supposed to be here.' Right. I just remember to be grateful because I still can’t believe it. I still keep thinking, 'They’re going to throw me out of the club. I never belonged here in the first place and they’re all going to find out.'"
Ruffalo's journey in the MCU has been pretty incredible, and following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Green Goliath is now expected to return as the character in Disney+ series, She-Hulk.
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