At this stage in the game, there’s no question that Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron will be a defining moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Heck, we brought you the news earlier today that Robert Downey Jr. views the sequel as both “a beginning and an end” in the company’s ever-evolving roster of films.
But for Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Age of Ultron may just be the beginning of a larger role for the character of Bruce Banner. In a recent interview with Empire, Ruffalo touched upon the dynamic between his two on-screen personas, and how the line between budding scientist and rampaging rage monster will only continue to blur.
“Who knows where these things will go,” says Rufallo, “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… It’ll be interesting to see if that ends up being what would be the next Hulk movie.”
But what of Hulk’s future in the Marvel cinematic space? History has taught us that a standalone film is a tricky butterfly to pin, just ask Edward Norton and Eric Bana. That said, Ruffalo didn’t rule out the prospect entirely.
“[A new feaure-length Hulk movie is] a tough nut to crack,” Ruffalo confesses. “Traditionally you’re watching a guy who doesn’t want to do the very thing that you want him to do. It’s hard to take for two hours. I don’t know how many times you can use that same framing for it, but now he’s maturing and there’s a cool dynamic growing between Banner and The Hulk.”
Avengers: Age of Ultron will hopefully bring word about Hulk’s future when it debuts in theaters on May 1, 2015. Until then, you can share your own thoughts on Ruffalo’s statement down below.