Russo brothers stay quiet on Hulk in Avengers: Doomsday
Joe Russo will not say whether Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner in Avengers: Doomsday. He does say Banner is tied to a story built around Doom.
Russo gave the careful answer in an interview with Empire Online, as reported by Deadline on 29 September 2026. Asked directly about an appearance, he said he would neither confirm nor deny it. In the same interview he said Banner is certainly involved in the story that revolves around Doom.
That distinction matters. It leaves Ruffalo's casting open while placing his scientist character inside the plot's thinking.
Ruffalo has just appeared as Banner in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, according to the same report. The film keeps the character in recent continuity. It does not by itself settle the Doomsday call.
Anthony Russo added another wrinkle. He said there are characters and actors who have not been announced who are part of Avengers: Doomsday, as reported by Deadline. Marvel has form here. Large crossover films often hold back names until late in marketing.
Doomsday is set for release on 18 December as part of Phase 6 of the MCU, the linked series of Marvel films and shows that share characters and storylines. It follows 2019's Avengers: Endgame, which was also directed by Joe and Anthony Russo.
The announced line-up is broad. It brings together the Avengers, the Wakandans introduced in Black Panther, the Thunderbolts group also called the New Avengers from Earth-616, the Fantastic Four from Earth-828, and the original X-Men. Those Earth numbers are Marvel shorthand for separate realities, different versions of the world running side by side.
The directors also said they started filming Doomsday without a finalised script. That is unusual but not unheard of on effects-heavy productions. Schedules, sets and cast availability can force a start while writing continues.
For fans, this means patience. A central role in the Doom story does not equal a confirmed spot on the call sheet, and Marvel is still keeping some names back.
