A viral rumor alleging Mark Ruffalo’s departure from the MCU as the Hulk sparked fierce online debate, drawing both backlash and support due to his outspoken anti-Trump and pro-Palestine positions.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As anticipation builds for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ social media recently became flooded with unverified rumors that Disney had dropped Mark Ruffalo from the franchise and was actively casting a replacement for the Hulk.
The false report quickly gained traction, triggering widespread fan speculation and immediate calls for verification.
Claim: Disney dismisses Mark Ruffalo from the Hulk role
According to the widespread post on X, Disney—co-producer of the Marvel films—had supposedly terminated its contract with the veteran actor, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure as the beloved green Avenger.
The speculative post went further, asserting that ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ would serve as his final appearance in the role, explicitly claiming he would be absent from both ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’
Accumulating over two million views rapidly, the post incited strong reactions. While many fans expressed disbelief and anger, critics of the actor welcomed the rumored decision, using the opportunity to attack Ruffalo over his vocal stance on Palestinian advocacy and his vehement opposition to Donald Trump.
Fact Check: The rumor stems from a satirical source
In reality, the claim is entirely fabricated. There is zero credible evidence indicating that Disney has fired Ruffalo or planned to write him out of the MCU.
Neither Disney nor Marvel Studios has released any statements, official announcements, or interview confirmations supporting the rumor.
Furthermore, standard verification checks across major entertainment news outlets turned up no reporting on the matter—a glaring omission given that such high-profile casting changes would instantly be headline news.
Investigations into the origin of the viral post revealed that it stemmed from a parody account known for publishing sensationalized content specifically to drive online engagement.
Mark Ruffalo’s political activism and recent controversies
False rumors surrounding the actor frequently surface, largely fueled by anger over his progressive politics, which have included pro-Palestine advocacy, vocal criticisms of President Donald Trump, and opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards earlier this year, Ruffalo made headlines by sharply criticizing Trump, referring to him bluntly as “the worst human being.”
The 58-year-old Oscar nominee has also utilized social media to advocate for economic reform. In a recent Instagram video pushing for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy, he remarked, “In New York, rent is crushing people. Childcare now costs over $20,000 a year on average. Working families shouldn’t foot the bill for billionaire tax breaks.”