In a recent chat with Mehdi Hasan for Zeteo, Mark Ruffalo didn’t hold back when asked one of comic culture’s biggest “what if” questions. Who would win: Marvel’s Hulk or DC’s Superman? “Hulk,” he answered right away. Mehdi pushed further: Hulk or Red Hulk? “Hulk.” Ruffalo didn’t budge: No one can beat the Hulk. Not even the Red Hulk.
The questions kept coming. Would Ruffalo rather vanish in the Snap or live through it? He said, “Survive the snap.” Wolverine or Deadpool for a hangout? “Wolverine.” Each answer was quick, confident, and delivered like someone who has played Bruce Banner long enough to know before the question ends. The timing of Ruffalo’s comments is striking.
David Corenswet has already taken on the role of Superman in James Gunn’s Superman (2025), a movie that pulled in $615.7 million worldwide and landed as the eighth-biggest film of the year (see Box Office Mojo). The reboot also got mostly good reviews.
Now, with the sequel Man of Tomorrow set for release on July 9, 2027, the Marvel vs. DC rivalry has new fire, and Ruffalo added more sparks. His answers may have come with a smile, but his point was clear: Hulk doesn’t lose. Not to Superman. Not to anyone! Earlier this year, reports came out that Mark Ruffalo would appear as Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, part of Marvel’s Phase 6.
The film is now in production with Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) directing and Tom Holland back as Spider-Man. But when ET Online asked him directly, Ruffalo didn’t give a clear answer: 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. That’s classic Marvel style.
But Ruffalo’s vague response is actually making rumors louder. He might not have seen the script, but that doesn’t mean he’s out. With Marvel’s heavy secrecy, actors often don’t get their parts until right before filming. So far, Jon Bernthal and Michael Mando are confirmed to appear, along with Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Tramell Tillman.
Marvel and Sony are likely hiding something major. If Hulk shows up in Brand New Day, it would be his first full MCU role in over 2 years. At Emerald City Comic-Con in 2023 (via The Direct), Mark Ruffalo was asked about James Gunn’s move to DC Studios, where he now co-leads with Peter Safran. Unlike many actors who avoid talking about rival studios,
Ruffalo was direct: I would say, hire James Gunn, cause nobody does it better. And Marvel should be sweating because James Gunn is a really gifted filmmaker and I think he’s going to be amazing for that franchise. That’s big praise from one of Marvel’s longest-serving stars. Gunn, who directed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, left Marvel on a high before being handed control of DC’s new reboot. His Superman, starring David Corenswet, is set to reset the DCU’s style from the ground up.
So now we ask you: is Mark Ruffalo right? Can Hulk really defeat Superman, even with Corenswet giving the role a new start? And do you believe Ruffalo truly doesn’t know what’s happening with Spider-Man: Brand New Day?
Source: ZeteoNews