Mark Ruffalo's Hulk Joins Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Hold onto your web-shooters, Spidey fans! A new set video has officially spilled the beans, confirming that none other than Mark Ruffalo, our beloved Bruce Banner/Hulk, is joining Tom Holland in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it looks like things might get wild!

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Bite!

Hulk's Back in Black (Well, Green!): Mark Ruffalo has been spotted on the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, confirming Bruce Banner's return to the MCU's fourth Spidey flick.
Mystery & Mayhem on Set: Set videos show an injured Bruce Banner on a gurney, hinting at a chaotic event and fueling rumors of a "Savage Hulk" rampage in New York.
Swinging into Theaters Soon: Get ready to see Spidey, Hulk, and a whole host of new and returning characters when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits cinemas on July 31, 2026!

The Web's Out: Mark Ruffalo is Officially Filming for Spider-Man's Next Big Adventure!

Alright, Marvel fanatics, prepare for some seriously exciting news! For a while now, whispers have been swirling around the next Spider-Man movie, officially titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But now, thanks to some juicy set videos and photos popping up online, one of the biggest rumors has been undeniably confirmed: Mark Ruffalo, our long-time Bruce Banner, is indeed on set and ready to bring the Hulk back into Peter Parker's world!

This isn't the first time an iconic Avenger has lent a hand (or a whole lot of tech and magic) to Tom Holland's Spidey. We saw Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark/Iron Man take Peter under his wing in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange was absolutely pivotal in the mind-bending events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Now, it looks like it's the Hulk's turn to get tangled in Peter's web-slinging life, and the early glimpses suggest it's going to be a wild ride!

Behind the Scenes: What Mark Ruffalo's Set Videos Are Revealing

The set videos and photos, initially shared by accounts like UnBoxPHD and Marvel Updates on X (formerly Twitter), have given us our very first look at Ruffalo in action. Filming is currently underway in the UK, with some locations like the University of London and Glasgow streets reportedly doubling for New York City. What makes these visuals so intriguing is what they depict: Bruce Banner, in his human form, appearing to be injured or in distress, seen sitting or lying down on a gurney.

One particularly revealing clip shows Ruffalo's Banner on a stretcher, with dust on his face, suggesting he might have just been through something pretty intense – possibly even "Hulk-ing out." The presence of FDNY (Fire Department of New York City) officers in the scene further hints at a chaotic, possibly destructive, event that has just taken place. This is a far cry from the "Smart Hulk" we've mostly seen since Avengers: Endgame, and it's got fans buzzing with theories!

A Hulk-Sized History Lesson and The Return of the Roar

It's been 15 years since Mark Ruffalo first graced our screens as Bruce Banner/Hulk in 2012's The Avengers, and while he's been a consistent presence in the MCU, we haven't actually seen a full, on-screen human-to-Hulk transformation since that very first film! Think about it: after that iconic "I'm always angry" moment, subsequent appearances have shown Hulk already transformed, or Banner attempting to transform without success (like in Infinity War), or simply appearing as Smart Hulk. His last live-action appearance was at the end of the 2022 Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, where he casually dropped the bombshell that he has a son, Skaar.

Fans have often lamented the lack of these visceral transformations, with some speculating it might be due to the immense CGI budget required. But these new set photos, showing an injured, human Bruce, are sparking hope that we might finally see Banner truly "hulk out" again, perhaps in a way we haven't witnessed in over a decade. The fact that he's injured as Bruce suggests his natural defense mechanism might be compromised, or even that he's been separated from his green alter-ego entirely. Remember, he also appeared as human Bruce Banner with a broken arm in the post-credits scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, hinting at these changes already being in motion.

Savage Theories: Is Hulk Spider-Man's New Foe or Friend?

With an injured Bruce Banner and hints of chaos, the rumor mill is spinning wildly. Many theories suggest that Spider-Man: Brand New Day could feature the return of the "Savage Hulk" – the character's aggressive, less-controlled alter-ego. Some reports even hint that this transformation could be triggered by emotional distress, possibly involving appearances by She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) and Red Hulk, pushing Bruce to his limits and unleashing his primal side.

Even more intriguing, previous rumors, including a leaked moodboard from cinematographer Brett Pawlak, have depicted visuals of Spider-Man and Savage Hulk actually fighting each other! This leads to a truly wild fan theory: could Hulk be a surprise antagonist in this film? One speculative storyline suggests that Peter Parker's parents might have been collateral damage during Hulk's rampage in the Battle of New York from the first Avengers film, creating a deeply personal conflict between the two heroes. Imagine Spider-Man having to stop a rampaging Hulk in the streets of New York! That would be an unprecedented challenge for our friendly neighborhood hero.

Another strong theory, fueled by the injured Banner photos, is that Bruce and the Hulk might have become separated into two distinct beings. If Banner is truly vulnerable without his green protector, it would explain his injuries and open the door for a truly uncontrollable Savage Hulk to wreak havoc. This "Hulk ambulance scene," as some are calling it, could be the aftermath of such a separation or a massive, uncontrolled transformation, with Spider-Man and Punisher possibly trying to contain the fallout. This would certainly set the stage for Peter Parker's "biggest MCU challenge yet," as hinted by a prison break sequence involving an armored vehicle.

"I don't know, I'm still waiting to hear. I haven't read a script yet. Well, if it does happen, it would be [Laughs] incredible. I grew up with this, and it's changed my life in the best ways. Each time, it's a new director, a new world, and it's so exciting. There's nothing else like it. A TV show doesn't change its world from one director to the next, and that's what is exciting."

— Mark Ruffalo, speaking to ET Online on September 4, 2025, playing coy about his involvement.

The Web We Weave: Who Else is Swinging into Action in Brand New Day?

Beyond the huge news of Hulk's appearance, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Tom Holland is, of course, back as our beloved Peter Parker/Spider-Man, leading what's expected to be a more "street-level" and emotionally grounded story. He'll be joined by returning MCU favorites Zendaya as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds.

But the cast list doesn't stop there! We're also getting some exciting new (and returning) faces:

Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher: This marks Punisher's first official movie appearance in the MCU, a huge deal for fans of the gritty vigilante.
Sadie Sink: The Stranger Things star has been spotted on set in a mystery role, causing much speculation among fans.
Liza Colón-Zayas: Known for her work in The Bear, she's also joined the cast in an undisclosed role.
Michael Mando as Mac Gargan/Scorpion: Mando reprises his villainous role from Spider-Man: Homecoming, hinting at more trouble for Peter.
Tramell Tillman: Another newcomer in a mystery role.
Marvin Jones III as Tombstone: Confirmed to be playing the menacing gangster, adding another formidable villain to the mix.

The film is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously helmed Marvel's hit Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, veterans of the previous Spidey trilogy, are back to pen the script. With Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal among the producers, you know it's in good hands!

Where Does This Fit into the Grand Tapestry of the MCU's Phase 6?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day isn't just another standalone film; it's a crucial piece of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe puzzle. It's slated to be the second entry in Phase 6 of The Multiverse Saga, setting the stage for massive upcoming events like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Hulk's inclusion here could be more than just a fun team-up; it could directly inform his role (or absence) in those future Avenger spectacles. While Mark Ruffalo was notably absent from the initial cast announcements for Avengers: Doomsday, his character's journey in Brand New Day might just explain why, or even set up a surprise return in a new, perhaps more savage, form.

This film is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for both Spider-Man and Hulk, offering fresh dynamics and potentially shaking up the status quo for these iconic characters. Get ready for a blend of humor, high-stakes action, and emotional depth when Peter Parker and Bruce Banner's paths collide.

When Can We See This Epic Team-Up?

Mark your calendars, because Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. It's going to be a long wait, but with these exciting set reveals and potential plot twists, the anticipation is only going to build!

Frequently Asked Questions About Spider-Man: Brand New Day

When is Spider-Man: Brand New Day releasing?

The movie is set to release in theaters on July 31, 2026.

Who is directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

Destin Daniel Cretton, known for directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is at the helm for this film.

Who are the confirmed main cast members for the new Spider-Man movie?

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Zendaya as MJ, and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds. Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk) and Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle/Punisher) are also confirmed, alongside Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Mando (Scorpion), and Marvin Jones III (Tombstone).

Will Hulk be a villain in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

While official plot details are under wraps, leaked moodboards and set photos showing an injured Bruce Banner have fueled fan theories that a "Savage Hulk" might be an antagonist, potentially even fighting Spider-Man. However, this is currently speculation.

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