2026 is finally here, which means we're one step closer to witnessing the biggest and most ambitious superhero event ever made for the big screen. It isn't a secret that fans all around the world have their eyes set on Avengers: Doomsday. The movie's cast reveal clocked 275 million views, while the latest teaser trailers have earned a combined total of over one billion views. Expectations are at an all-time high, and with good reason. Countless characters from every corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will come together to fight for the multiverse's fate in the biggest superhero face-off yet. However, some fan-favorites will unfortunately miss the party.
From the get-go, it was clear that not every MCU character would be able to participate in the upcoming crossover. This notion was only reaffirmed when multiple actors began to deny their involvement in the movie. Oscar Isaac confirmed that Moon Knight won't join Earth's Mightiest Heroes just yet, and Charlie Cox revealed that Daredevil won't appear on the big screen this year. Now, a new name has been added to the list of missing characters, and it is perhaps the most shocking absence yet.
Mark Ruffalo confirms he won't be back as The Hulk in Avengers: Doomsday
So far, audiences have watched four Avengers movies, and Bruce Banner's Hulk has appeared in every single one of them. That's why it was quite surprising to learn that Avengers: Doomsday will finally break the pattern. In the latest issue of Empire Magazine (via Screen Rant), Mark Ruffalo confirmed that he won't be back as Hulk in the upcoming MCU crossover, but added that he would be happy to return "as long as they keep finding cool things to do with Hulk".
Interestingly enough, it has been reported that Tom Holland's Spider-Man won't show up in Avengers: Doomsday either. This is important because both Peter Parker and Bruce Banner are set to share the screen in this year's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that the wall-crawler's solo movie will focus on "street-level crime, as opposed to world-ending events." With that in mind, it would seem that Spidey and Hulk's arc won't deal with the multiverse in any shape or form, explaining their absence in Avengers: Doomsday. However, there's also evidence to suggest that the Green Goliath isn't done with the Avengers movies just yet.
While it's always important to take any rumors with a grain of salt, renowned and reliable insider Alex Perez claimed that Hulk will have a role in the two upcoming MCU crossovers. Furthermore, leaked Avengers: Doomsday concept art showcases Hulk, She-Hulk, and presumably Skaar in what appears to be a medieval town filled with other Hulks. If it weren't for Mark Ruffalo's comments, all signs would suggest that Bruce Banner is set to come back this December.
If Hulk were to truly show up in Avengers: Doomsday, then chances are he would have a different role compared to his most recent appearances. Fans have been vocally upset about Professor Hulk's prolonged stay in the MCU, but things might finally change in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Multiple reports indicate that Savage Hulk—the most relentless and violent version of the anti-hero—will finally be unleashed in the wall-crawler's upcoming adventure. Furthermore, it has been rumored that such an arc would extend into Avengers: Doomsday and even Secret Wars. That means Bruce Banner could act as an antagonist over the next few years.
For the time being, it's best to listen to Mark Ruffalo's comments and assume Hulk won't be in Avengers: Doomsday. However, Marvel actors have a history of lying in interviews to keep some surprises under wraps (looking at you, Andrew Garfield). Only time will tell if this is one of those occasions, but it won't be long before we finally find out the truth.
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on Dec. 18, 2026.