Big news in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Mark Ruffalo’s The Hulk is reportedly returning for next year’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
According to a The Hollywood Reporter report, both Sony and Marvel have declined to comment, but Ruffalo is set to reprise his role as Bruce Banner in the highly anticipated 2026 superhero sequel.
Meanwhile, Michael Mando is said to return as the supervillain Mac Gargan, also known as the Scorpion, in Brand New Day. The Scorpion last appeared in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, the first Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland.
Ruffalo last portrayed The Hulk in the 2022 Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, though a follow-up seems unlikely for now. He was not among the cast members officially confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, but Marvel has hinted that more announcements are on the way—leaving open the possibility that The Hulk may appear in the film in some capacity.
With production set to begin, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is beginning to take shape. On August 1, Sony released the film’s first teaser, which only showed Spider-Man’s new suit in close-up—for just eight seconds.
Something brand new is coming… #SpiderManDay pic.twitter.com/hfOxYiYszw
— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) August 1, 2025
The teaser’s release and the Hulk rumors come alongside set leaks revealing an armored truck that appears to confirm the return of a classic Spider-Man villain in Brand New Day.
Warning! Potential spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day follow: