Hulk Returns To Spider-Man After 14 Years

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day is swinging into production with a major green addition.

Mark Ruffalo is officially returning as Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, in the upcoming Spider-Man 4 entry starring Tom Holland. The fan-favorite Avenger will join the ensemble cast just as cameras begin rolling this month in England. Though his involvement had been whispered about for some time, the deal only locked in as the script came together.

But Ruffalo’s not the only familiar face returning.

Michael Mando, best known for Better Call Saul, is also stepping back into the Spider-Verse as Mac Gargan, a.k.a. Scorpion—the villain he first portrayed in Spider-Man: Homecoming back in 2017.

A Marvel Tradition Continues
In keeping with tradition, each of Holland’s Spider-Man films has featured a mentor-like presence from across the Marvel Universe. First came Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man (Homecoming), followed by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury (Far From Home), and then Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange (No Way Home). The formula echoes the spirit of Marvel Team-Up, a beloved comic series that regularly paired Spider-Man with other Marvel heroes for shared adventures.

But this time, Marvel and Sony are raising the stakes.

Not only are Hulk and Scorpion in the mix, but Jon Bernthal is also confirmed to reprise his fan-favorite role as the Punisher, marking his first appearance on the big screen in the MCU—and his first film outing since 2008’s Punisher: War Zone.

The Plot? Still Under Wraps
Story details for Brand New Day are tightly under wraps, but in classic Marvel fashion, you can expect misunderstandings, epic clashes between heroes, and a larger threat looming in the shadows. In other words, expect to see Spider-Man, Punisher, and Hulk throw punches before joining forces.

Marvel and Sony are keeping quiet for now—no official statements have been made.

Behind the Scenes
Destin Daniel Cretton (known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is directing, with franchise regulars Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers back on scripting duties. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is slated to hit theaters July 31, 2026.

Hulk’s MCU Legacy
Ruffalo has been a Marvel mainstay since 2012’s The Avengers, appearing in Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Infinity War, Endgame, and the Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. He also made a brief cameo in Shang-Chi, connecting him directly to Cretton’s creative world.

Mando’s Return
Mando earned critical acclaim as Nacho Varga in all six seasons of Better Call Saul, and previously starred in Orphan Black and various genre fare. His return as Scorpion suggests deeper connections to Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery are in play.

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