We love Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Marvel’s angry green monster, a.k.a The Incredible Hulk. Despite him making the most of the opportunity to play Banner, Eric Bana will always be the first actor to play the iconic comic book character on the big screen. Though the latest words from Eric Bana – The Hulk actor – confirm that he will not be taking any interest in donning the character of Bruce Banner again in his career. Sorry folks! No Eric Bana’s Hulk in the MCU, it seems!
Recently, the Australian actor and comedian took to the WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, where he discussed his career, including how he first landed on the opportunity to play one of Marvel’s most iconic avengers. Eric Bana donned Hulk’s character in 2003, does not have any interest in playing the character again after the first attempt.
On First Living the Dream of Becoming Eric Bana: The Hulk
Discussing the adaptation, which led to him signing up for the movie, he said, “It wasn’t a quick yes, that’s for sure. It took me a while to get my head around it. I wasn’t privy to the script prior to signing onto the film. It’s one of the only films I have done where that was the case. It just wasn’t the type of film that I saw myself doing.”
Despite the hesitation, Eric Bana’s The Hulk turned out to be one of the highest-grossing films of 2003. But Bana was sure there’s no return in the future.
On Different Kind of Cinema
Taking a step further to prove that his earlier hesitation was not a one-time affair, Eric Bana revealed that superhero films are not his cup of tea. He said, “it’s why I have re-dabbled in that area. They’re not the kind of movie that I race out and see myself, so that conversation is something I have with myself if I want to be a part of it.”
On Mark Ruffalo
Eric Bana then confesses that despite Mark Ruffalo doing full justice to his portrayal of Bruce Banner, he’s yet to see his version. Adding that he was not asked to reprise the role in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, which starred Edward Norton, he praised Ruffalo for doing it how it should be done. He said, “He’s the one who worked it out. He found his stride.”
Sharing a moment from the sets, during the shoots, Eric Bana revealed a funny incident involving Nick Nolte, who played his character’s father, David Banner.
The development for Eric Bana’s The Hulk, directed by Ang Lee, started way before its release in the early 1990s. It is believed a sequel was planned to portray the Hulk’s grey persona, but it was subsequently canceled in 2006.
