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The Incredible Hulk has smashed his way through Marvel comics, movies, and shows for decades — here’s every Hulk actor who played the green rage monster and his alter ego Bruce Banner in live-action. In most instances, the Hulk’s origin story is that he is born after gamma radiation experiments conducted by brilliant scientist Bruce Banner end up unleashing his inner beast, leading to a transformation from human to rampaging monster. Thankfully, the Hulk’s fury is most often directed at villains, but any Marvel Comics and MCU veteran knows that the creature sometimes snaps and decimates anyone in its path too.
In the live-action adaptations of the Incredible Hulk character made so far, the uglier side of the Hulk is only rarely seen, though this could change if the MCU finally decides to adapt storylines like Marvel Comics’ World War Hulk — a real possibility in MCU Phase 6. The real let-down for Hulk fans is that due to a rights divide between Disney/Marvel Studios and Universal Pictures, it seems unlikely another Incredible Hulk solo movie will ever be released. In addition to this, many wondered after Norton’s movie: why did they replace the original Hulk? That said, despite Ed Norton’s Hulk being replaced, Mark Ruffalo’s now-definitive take on the character has kept Bruce Banner alive and smashing, most recently in She-Hulk starring Tatiana Maslany. To date, five actors have played Bruce Banner/Hulk in live-action — here’s every Hulk actor who has been the Hulk.
Bill Bixby (The Incredible Hulk TV Series & TV Movies)
The first introduction that those who didn’t read Marvel Comics got to The Incredible Hulk was his self-titled TV series, which began in 1977, and also spawned several follow-up TV movies that incorporated other Marvel characters like Thor and Daredevil. Two different actors played Dr. Banner — named David Banner instead of Bruce in this version — and the Hulk, with Banner being portrayed by the late Bill Bixby.
Bixby had previously gained fame on shows like My Favorite Martian and The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, and turned out to be an excellent choice to lead The Incredible Hulk. Out of every Hulk actor who has played the mild-mannered scientist, Bixby imbued David Banner with both an affable likability and a solemn sadness, which helped convey his compassion for others and heroic qualities, while also getting across the unwilling nature of his powers. Sadly, Bixby’s Hulk suffered a tragic final fate in the appropriately titled Death of the Incredible Hulk. Curiously, after four decades since the first Hulk TV series, the character’s recent appearances in She-Hulk suggests the MCU could potentially explore the death of the Smart Hulk/Professor Hulk personality.
Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk TV Series & TV Movies)
In the Incredible Hulk TV series and its follow-up TV movies, Lou Ferrigno portrayed the Hulk, while Bixby played Banner. Switching actors was about the only way to accomplish the character realistically on a 1970s budget for the Hulk TV series (there will definitely be a different budget for She-Hulk), as it lacked the advances in CGI effects that modern adaptations have had. Fortunately, Ferrigno is a muscle-bound mountain of a man, and he proved just as perfect a choice for Hulk as Bixby was for Banner, as he’d been a championship-winning professional bodybuilder prior to getting into acting. Notably, Ferrigno later voiced the character in Eric Bana’s movie and Ed Norton’s Hulk movie.
Ferrigno certainly isn’t a Daniel Day-Lewis type, but he brings a brutal physicality to his performance that helps sell the Hulk as an imposing figure that no one should ever want to mess with. When Banner transforms into the Hulk, his foes are usually left both confused and terrified, and that reaction is justified by how ready to rip someone apart Ferrigno’s Hulk looks, even if the lack of CGI doesn’t allow the character to be as towering and enormous as he’s usually depicted.
Eric Bana (Hulk)
Directed by Ang Lee, 2003’s Hulk starred Australian actor Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, with the Hulk being a fully CGI character for the first time, at least visually. Hulk is a complex film that provided strong foundations for Bruce Banner’s live-action cinematic origin, but has quickly been overshadowed in the years since by Hulk’s appearances within the MCU. Critics gave it decent enough reviews at the time, but box office totals weren’t very impressive when accounting for the film’s hefty budget.
As for Bana’s performance, it’s actually pretty good and makes Bruce’s plight easy to sympathize with. If anything, the issues many have with Hulk 2003 are more on the script than the actors, as a common complaint is that Hulk is too much of a talky, introspective drama and doesn’t feature nearly enough smashing things. Still, it’s unquestionable that Bana pulled off being the first live-action Bruce Banner of the 21st century.
Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk)
When Marvel Studios decided to make The Incredible Hulk early in phase 1 of the MCU, they cast Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. That was a sensible move from an acting standpoint, as Norton’s work has been widely acclaimed. Norton played the Hulk with a raging fire compared to his later Hulk replacement Mark Ruffalo, who took on a slow-burn approach. Many have come to the conclusion that Norton did it best out of all the different Hulk actors.
Unfortunately, he also has a reputation in Hollywood for being a bit of a control freak, whether deserved or not. Norton was reported to have engaged in multiple disputes with Kevin Feige and other Marvel producers over the final cut, although he’s disputed the validity of those claims. In any case, it would’ve been understandable for Norton, a highly versatile actor, to impose more control over the development of Bruce Banner, whose multiple identities would’ve given the actor the opportunity to stretch the limits of his skills.
Mark Ruffalo (The MCU)
Mark Ruffalo replaced Edward Norton’s Hulk beginning in 2012’s The Avengers and has gone on to appear in sequels Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. He also played a vital role in Thor: Ragnarok, leading to the closest thing to another Hulk-focused movie that fans have gotten since 2008. Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner also made post-credits cameos in Iron Man 3, Captain Marvel, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
It’s doubtful that Ruffalo will star in his own Incredible Hulk movie, as for whatever reason the character hasn’t had the most successful run when featured without the other Avengers. However, one should always take a “never say never” attitude when it comes to the Marvel franchise — especially during the Multiverse Saga, in which any previous Hulk actor could make their MCU debut. After Ed Norton’s stunning performance in the role, many wondered why Marvel replaced the original MCU Hulk with Mark Ruffalo, even though Ruffalo continues to give justice to the character.
Tatiana Maslany (The MCU She-Hulk)
In addition to every Hulk actor who’s taken on the role of Bruce Banner, the Disney+ series She-Hulk introduced a new type of live-action Hulk — She-Hulk, played by Tatiana Maslany. Jennifer Walters (a.k.a. She-Hulk) is Bruce’s cousin, who winds up possessing similar Hulk powers but with more flexibility and control. Jennifer can transform between her regular and giant green self at will, all while retaining her intelligence – especially useful as she’s also a talented lawyer, and regularly practices law while in Hulk form.
Tatiana Maslany is best known for starring in the sci-fi drama Orphan Black, in which she played 14 different clones during the course of the show’s five seasons, which came in handy for capturing Jen’s normal and Hulk personalities. Maslany is a solid addition to the ranks of every Hulk actor who has brought The Incredible Hulk characters to life onscreen. After the revelations regarding She-Hulk‘s Intelligencia, Maslany is bound to have a larger role in the MCU.
Why Did Mark Ruffalo Replace Edward Norton As Bruce Banner And Hulk?
Norton’s performance is his usual quality work, and it certainly would’ve been interesting to see him perform alongside Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and the rest of the gang in The Avengers. Alas, that wasn’t to be, as Ed Norton’s Hulk was replaced and the actor wasn’t brought back for any further MCU films, reportedly due to claims that he was hard to work with. Given the star vehicle that The Avengers franchise is, there are enough well-known actors that Norton’s on-set behavior wouldn’t be tolerated well. Resultingly, Ed Norton’s Hulk was replaced with Mark Ruffalo’s version.
Ruffalo has come to be seen as the definitive screen Hulk and Banner, which makes sense, as he’s a part of one of the biggest movie franchises ever made. Ruffalo changes Hulk/Banner, making the character less intense and more socially awkward. Still, he also gets across Banner’s brilliance, even if said brilliance doesn’t extend to operating the Hulkbuster armor. Ruffalo’s performance also extended to playing Hulk himself in Avengers: Endgame, with the birth of Smart Hulk.
Harrison Ford (The MCU Red Hulk?)
Every Hulk actor is about to get unfairly compared to a legendary film veteran who could soon play the most badass version of Hulk in movie history: Harrison Ford. To be clear, it hasn’t been confirmed by Marvel Studios that Harrison Ford will be playing the first live-action version of Red Hulk. However, Ford will be making his MCU debut in Captain America: New World Order as the new General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, replacing the deceased actor William Hurt who previously played the long-time Hulk nemesis in earlier MCU films. As Marvel Comics readers will know, General Ross eventually becomes The Red Hulk.
Nothing’s been set in stone, but it’s unlikely Marvel would cast Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross if he’s a minor MCU character, and using such an iconic star to finally adapt Thunderbolt Ross’ Red Hulk story arc would certainly justify what must be a massive paycheck for the Indiana Jones/Han Solo actor. This is further supported by how Captain America: New World Order comes right before Marvel’s anti-hero team-up Thunderbolts. Although Ford hasn’t been confirmed to be in Thunderbolts, Ross did lead his own version of the Thunderbolts in the comics, which could get adapted for the MCU Phase 5 finale. If this is the case, Harrison Ford would doubtless serve as a great addition to the MCU’s growing roster of Hulk characters.
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