Mark Ruffalo says he'll 'Hulk out' if Trump restricts voting

Mark Ruffalo told a New York crowd he will "Hulk out" if U.S. President Donald Trump tries to restrict voting in the coming midterm elections, Variety reported.

The actor made the remark during a speech on Sunday night, October 4, at "Hands Off Our Vote!" in New York City. The gathering is listed as a voter mobilisation event held in the city on that date by Reuters Connect.

Ruffalo was blunt in his criticism of Trump throughout the address. He told the crowd, "Trump we're not letting ya," and then led chants of "hands off," according to The Hill.

The speech leaned directly on his best-known screen role. Ruffalo plays scientist Bruce Banner, who turns into the giant green Hulk, in Marvel's Avengers films. "I'm still here... I'm still playing the Hulk," he told the audience.

Someone in the crowd shouted back, "You tell 'em, Hulk!" Ruffalo answered, "I'm gonna Hulk out. You won't like me when I'm angry." He shouted the line. The warning comes from the old Hulk television series, where Banner used it before changing into the Hulk.

He linked the catchphrase to the midterm elections, the votes held halfway through a U.S. president's four-year term to elect members of Congress. Ruffalo said he would "Hulk out" if Trump attempts to restrict voting in those races.

Much of the rest of the speech focused on voting systems. Ruffalo urged voters to join Free Speech for People, a campaign group working on voting access, to challenge insecure voting systems. In that section he raised concerns about the cybersecurity of voting and named Elon Musk in that context.

Ruffalo was not the only familiar face on the programme. The rally also featured speeches from actor Robert De Niro and comedian Mo Amer.

For fans in the crowd, the mix of film reference and direct appeal was the point. Short lines. A loud delivery. And a Marvel catchphrase turned into a promise about the ballot box.