Mark Ruffalo Dismisses Marvel Firing Rumors After Outcry

Marvel fans and social media sleuths were sent into a frenzy in early 2026 when rumors began swirling that Mark Ruffalo, the actor behind Bruce Banner and the Hulk, had been fired by Disney and Marvel Studios. The speculation, which gained momentum after Ruffalo delivered a fiery political speech at the Golden Globes in January, was quickly and repeatedly dismissed by Ruffalo himself, as well as by his Marvel co-stars. Despite the rumors’ persistence, all available evidence points to Ruffalo’s continued involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with no official word of his departure.

The origins of the controversy trace back to the 2026 Golden Globes ceremony. There, Ruffalo, known for his progressive activism, took to the red carpet to sharply criticize then-President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. His comments came in the aftermath of the January 7 death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman shot and killed by an ICE agent during an immigration enforcement operation. Ruffalo did not hold back, telling reporters, “We have a woman, Renee Good, who was murdered last week.” He went on to call ICE agents “literal stormtroopers” and described Trump as “a convicted felon, a convicted rapist. He’s a pedophile. He’s the worst human being.” He didn’t mince words about the country’s leadership, adding, “If we’re relying on this guy’s morality for the most powerful country in the world, then we’re all in a lot of trouble.” (Quotes as reported by Cosmic Book News and other outlets.)

The backlash was swift and predictable, especially online. Social media platforms lit up with claims that Disney had fired Ruffalo in response to his remarks. The rumor mill spun faster when it became apparent that Ruffalo’s name was not on the official cast list for the upcoming MCU tentpole, Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on December 18, 2026. For some, the timing was too coincidental to ignore, and the narrative of a politically motivated firing quickly took hold. Yet, as The News Movement and others pointed out, no reputable entertainment news outlets or trade publications confirmed the rumor—a strong indication that it was unfounded.

Amidst the swirling speculation, Ruffalo took the opportunity to address the rumors head-on during a February 3 promotional interview for his new film, Crime 101, which co-stars fellow MCU actors Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry. When asked directly if he had been fired by Disney, Ruffalo laughed off the suggestion. “Not that I know of. People keep going like, ‘Did you get fired?’ Not that I know of!” he replied with a smile, as reported by Cosmic Book News, Insidethemagic.net, and others. He added, “I’ll be there as long as they’ll have me, but I have a good relationship with them. Who knows, there might be things I’m already doing... [Laughs] I’m around, let me just say that.”

Chris Hemsworth, who has starred alongside Ruffalo in several MCU films, was quick to support his colleague, calling the rumors “nonsense.” Halle Berry, for her part, joked, “We would protest,” underscoring the camaraderie among the actors and their disbelief at the rumors’ persistence. The group’s united front seemed to put the matter to rest, at least for those willing to take their words at face value.

So why did the rumors gain such traction? Part of the answer lies in the intersection of real-world politics, corporate precedent, and the mechanics of online misinformation. Disney’s 2021 firing of Gina Carano from The Mandalorian over controversial social media posts set a precedent in the public’s mind that the company might swiftly sever ties with talent whose statements conflict with its values. Ruffalo’s absence from the Avengers: Doomsday cast list and his outspoken political activism combined to create a plausible—if ultimately false—narrative for many observers.

Adding to the confusion was the resurfacing of an old joke. Back in 2018, Ruffalo had jokingly “revealed” the title of Avengers: Endgame on The Tonight Show, prompting the Russo Brothers to post on social media that he was “fired” in an obvious bit of humor. Screenshots of that years-old joke began circulating again, with some treating it as current news, further muddying the waters.

Yet, as the dust settled, the facts became clear. There has been no official statement from Disney or Marvel Studios regarding Ruffalo’s departure. Trade publications such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline—the usual sources for breaking major casting news—remained silent on the matter. As Insidethemagic.net noted, such silence is telling: major changes in the MCU’s roster are typically reported rapidly and with studio confirmation.

Moreover, Ruffalo’s continued involvement with Marvel is not just a matter of inference. He is confirmed to reprise his role as the Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set for release in July 2026, alongside Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, and Sadie Sink. He is also expected to return for Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 17, 2027. Ruffalo reportedly holds a $500 million contract with Marvel/Disney, making an abrupt, unannounced firing all the more unlikely.

For his part, Ruffalo has long been one of Hollywood’s most outspoken progressive voices, supporting environmental causes, representation initiatives, and various political campaigns. While this has occasionally drawn criticism from conservative audiences, Marvel and Disney have continued to feature him prominently in their projects. His Golden Globes comments, while undeniably controversial, fit within a pattern of political speech that is far from unprecedented in the entertainment industry.

The episode serves as a case study in how misinformation can spread rapidly when real-world events, creative decisions, and social media echo chambers collide. It also highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for audiences to distinguish between official news and internet speculation. As Ruffalo himself put it, he remains “around” and intends to stay with Marvel “as long as they’ll have me.” For now, fans can rest assured: there’s no new Hulk on the horizon.

Ultimately, this saga underscores the volatility of online rumor mills and the enduring appeal of the MCU’s core cast. Mark Ruffalo, it seems, isn’t going anywhere—unless he decides to leave on his own terms.