A new rumor making the rounds today has Marvel fans buzzing — and it centers on none other than everyone’s favorite green goliath.
According to a new report, sources claim that Mark Ruffalo is being lined up to join Chris Hemsworth in Marvel’s third Thor installment, Thor: Ragnarok. While Marvel Studios has yet to confirm the casting news, the site suggests that Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner — and, by extension, the Hulk — could play a significant role in the cosmic sequel.
What’s perhaps most intriguing about this rumor from JoBlo is the reported setting. The rumor states that part of the film will take place on a “distant planet that is not Asgard and not Earth.” That detail alone is enough to send longtime comic readers into speculation mode. A remote world? Hulk involved? It’s hard not to immediately think of the beloved Planet Hulk storyline, which saw the jade giant exiled from Earth and forced to survive — and ultimately rule — on a brutal alien world.
While this wouldn’t necessarily mean a direct adaptation of Planet Hulk, Marvel has shown a knack for weaving elements of major comic arcs into its films without fully committing to one storyline. Even a loose inspiration could offer the opportunity for massive gladiatorial battles, cosmic-scale action, and a version of Hulk we haven’t fully seen on the big screen yet.
The timing would also make narrative sense. At the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Hulk famously vanished in a Quinjet after the devastating events in Sokovia. Choosing isolation over potential harm to those around him, Banner’s alter ego seemingly disappeared without a clear destination. A detour to a distant planet would provide a compelling explanation for where he ended up — and why Thor might cross paths with him there.
As for Thor, Ragnarok promises major upheaval in the God of Thunder’s world. With Asgard facing potential destruction and cosmic threats looming, it wouldn’t be surprising if Thor found himself in desperate need of backup. And when you’re staring down the end of the world, there are few allies more formidable than the Hulk.
For now, it remains firmly in rumor territory. But if there’s even a shred of truth to it, Thor: Ragnarok could be shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious — and explosive — chapters yet.