8 Actors Who Nearly Played The Hulk (Or Bruce Banner)

The Hulk is one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, both as a rampaging green monster and as his tortured human counterpart, Bruce Banner, and as such, has nearly been played by some very famous faces. Over the years, several actors have the Hulk across TV and film, including Eric Bana, Edward Norton, and most famously, Mark Ruffalo in the MCU timeline. Yet the path to casting the perfect Hulk has never been simple. Numerous actors were considered, offered the role, or even lobbied for it – only to be turned down or replaced at the last minute.

Since his comic book debut in 1962, the Hulk has gone through countless transformations – both literally and in terms of media portrayals. From Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno’s classic 1970s TV show to the CGI-heavy blockbusters of the 21st century, each new iteration of Bruce Banner has reflected the era’s take on the tortured genius. Casting the Hulk has always required a delicate balance – actors must channel the internal anguish of Banner while also fitting into an effects-heavy cinematic world where their green alter ego does much of the smashing.

8

Mark Ruffalo Was The Original First Choice For The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

While Edward Norton eventually played Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (2008), director Louis Leterrier initially wanted Mark Ruffalo in the role. In an interview with The Huffington Post, Leterrier revealed that Ruffalo was his original top choice before Norton became involved. He explained: “They are the ones who wanted Edward — and I was thrilled to meet him and work with him. I wanted Mark Ruffalo.” However, Marvel wasn’t ready to bet on Ruffalo yet, since he lacked the box office clout Norton had at the time.

Leterrier ultimately agreed to go with Norton, who brought significant creative input to the script and character. Ironically, after Norton’s departure due to disagreements with Marvel Studios, Ruffalo was brought in for The Avengers (2012), becoming the definitive Banner for a generation. It’s a classic case of Hollywood full circle – Ruffalo was right there from the beginning, but it took a few years (and a major studio rift) for Marvel to embrace the actor they’d initially pᴀssed over.

7

Matthew McConaughey Was Told “No Thank You”

The Incredible Hulk

Matthew McConaughey expressed interest in playing the Hulk during the casting process for The Incredible Hulk (2008), but Marvel flat-out rejected him. Speaking in an interview on *The Happy Sad Confused* podcast, McConaughey revealed that he “wanted it” but Marvel said, “No, thank you” (via Business Insider). It’s unclear how far his name went up the casting chain, but his rejection seems unusually definitive.

At the time, McConaughey was still largely known for rom-coms and hadn’t yet undergone his career-redefining “McConaissance” with roles in Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective. Marvel’s decision likely stemmed from a mismatch in tone; McConaughey’s charming Southern drawl didn’t quite align with the tortured scientific persona of Bruce Banner. Still, it’s fascinating to imagine an alternate timeline where McConaughey brought his laid-back charisma to the Hulk, delivering lines like “Alright, alright, alright” before hulking out.

6

David Duchovny Auditioned To Play The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

Before Edward Norton was officially cast, David Duchovny was among the actors who were considered for Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (2008). Known primarily for his roles in The X-Files and Californication, Duchovny had the brooding intellectual edge that Marvel was initially seeking. In a 2006 Variety article, Duchovny was the top contender for the role, though it’s unclear how far he advanced in the audition process.

Duchovny’s cerebral demeanor and restrained performance style could have offered a very different take on Banner – one more subdued and introspective, perhaps leaning more into the psychological aspects of the character. While Duchovny never donned the purple pants, his consideration reflects Marvel’s early intent to cast a thoughtful, internalized version of Banner. Interestingly, unconfirmed reports also claim that Duchovny was in the running to play Banner in Ang Lee’s Hulk too.

5

Arnold Schwarzenegger Was Deemed Too Short

The Incredible Hulk (1977)

Long before he was the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger nearly played the Hulk. During casting for the 1970s The Incredible Hulk TV series, Schwarzenegger was considered for the role, thanks to his rising fame as Mr Universe and other bodybuilding compeтιтions. However, according to American Comic Book Chronicles, producers felt Schwarzenegger wasn’t tall enough to portray the Hulk as an overwhelming, monstrous figure (via Looper).

While Schwarzenegger stood at 6’2″ and certainly had the muscles to play the Hulk, he lacked the intimidating height that producers believed would better sell the illusion on screen. The role ultimately went to Schwarzenegger’s co-star from Pumping Iron, Lou Ferrigno. In hindsight, this casting decision worked out for both men – Ferrigno made the role his own and became one of the most iconic Hulks ever. Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger found stardom soon after in Conan and The Terminator.

4

Richard Kiel Began Filming As The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (1977)

After determining that Arnold Schwarzenegger was too short to play the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk, Richard Kiel was cast. The actor, best known for playing Jaws in the James Bond movies, has a towering 7’2″ stature, a full foot taller than Schwarzenegger. Kiel even began filming the pilot episode, before a child visiting the set criticized the casting. In an interview with The Guardian, Lou Ferrigno claimed that a young comic fan suggested that Hulk needed to have bigger muscles to match the comic book counterpart.

While extraordinarily tall, Kiel had a relatively slim frame – at least compared to the Hulk. The producers agreed and recast the character once again. This is when Lou Ferrigno was brought in for a screen test, whose dense muscular build and silent intensity brought a more believable and primal energy to the character. Some clips of Kiel’s brief Hulk scenes still survive, with one sH๏τ to extant in the original TV pilot.

3

Jeff Goldblum Auditioned For The Hulk

Hulk

Jeff Goldblum, best known for his quirky charisma and cerebral roles, once auditioned to play Bruce Banner in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003). According to The Cinema of Ang Lee: The Other Side of the Screen by Whitney Crothers Dilley, Goldblum was tested for the role before Lee ultimately chose Eric Bana (via Uproxx). It’s not hard to imagine him in the role – his distinct speech pattern and neurotic energy would have brought a unique spin to Banner’s emotional struggle.

Ironically, Goldblum would go on to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe years later, playing the eccentric Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Goldblum’s previous history with Marvel was even humorously referenced when Grandmaster claimed he felt a strange affinity with the Hulk. Nevertheless, it’s hard not to wonder what Goldblum could have brought to the role, with his idiosyncratic style and history in transformative, monstrous roles, such as The Fly.

2

Ed Norton Nearly Starred In Ang Lee’s Hulk

Hulk

Years before he joined the MCU in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Edward Norton was in early talks to play Bruce Banner in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003). Screenwriter Zak Penn confirmed that Norton was among the top choices for the role during the early development phase (via Super Hero Hype). However, Norton didn’t pursue it further at the time, stating later to Total Film (via CBR):

“When the phone rings and someone says, ‘Hey, would you be interested in the big green guy?’ there’s that part of all of us that doesn’t want to look like an idiot… There’s the wince factor or the defensive part of you that recoils at what the bad version of what that would be. And I did that, basically. I said ‘no’ to it a couple of times.

Norton, known for his cerebral and intense acting style, would have been a fitting choice for Lee’s vision. Ironically, Norton would get his chance to play the character five years later – only to exit after a single movie due to reported creative differences with Marvel Studios. Ang Lee’s brooding interpretation is much closer to Norton’s own vision for the character and might have ended on a better note than The Incredible Hulk.

1

Tom Cruise Turned Down The Hulk

Hulk

Tom Cruise was offered the role of Bruce Banner in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003), but he turned it down. According to The Cinema of Ang Lee: The Other Side of the Screen, Lee and the producers initially considered Cruise for the lead role, likely attracted by his global star power and intense screen presence. However, Cruise declined the offer.

At the time, Cruise was busy with major blockbusters like Minority Report and The Last Samurai, and may have seen a brooding, psychological superhero film as too much of a tonal shift. Given the introspective nature of Hulk, Cruise’s high-energy, action-oriented persona may not have meshed well with the somber mood Lee was aiming for. This is an especially tantalizing piece of Hulk trivia as Cruise is repeatedly fan-cast as an Iron Man variant for the MCU, marking the second Marvel character he might have come close to playing.

Sources: The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Variety, Looper, The Guardian, Uproxx, Super Hero Hype, CBR,