8 Actors Who Nearly Played The Hulk: Shocking Casting What-Ifs!

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The Hulk, one of Marvel’s most well-known figures, is portrayed both as a raging green beast and Bruce Banner, his tormented human alter ego. Many renowned actors have taken on this role across TV and movies over the years, such as Eric Bana, Edward Norton, and Mark Ruffalo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, finding the ideal Hulk has never been a straightforward process. Numerous actors have been thought of, given the opportunity, or even advocated for the role, only to be rejected or replaced at the last second.

Over the years, the character of the Hulk has undergone numerous changes, both physically and in the way he’s portrayed on various platforms. From the iconic 70’s TV series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno to the modern-day CGI movies, each version of Bruce Banner has mirrored society’s interpretation of his tormented genius. Acting as the Hulk has always been a challenging task, as actors need to convey Banner’s inner turmoil while also fitting seamlessly into an action-packed cinematic universe where the Hulk is the one doing most of the destruction.

8. Mark Ruffalo Was The Original First Choice For The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

Initially, director Louis Leterrier preferred Mark Ruffalo for the role of Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (2008), but Edward Norton was eventually cast instead due to Marvel’s preference and Ruffalo’s lower box office appeal at the time. Leterrier expressed this preference during an interview with The Huffington Post, stating that Ruffalo was his original top choice before Norton became involved in the project.

Eventually, Leterrier chose Norton, who provided substantial creative ideas for the script and characters. Interestingly, following Norton’s departure due to disagreements with Marvel Studios, Ruffalo was eventually cast in The Avengers (2012), and he became the iconic Banner for many fans. This is a typical example of Hollywood coming full circle – Ruffalo was present right from the start, but it took a few years and a significant studio dispute for Marvel to accept the actor they had initially overlooked.

7. Matthew McConaughey Was Told “No Thank You”

The Incredible Hulk

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but share that Matthew McConaughey had a strong desire to bring the Hulk to life in the 2008 movie, The Incredible Hulk. However, Marvel Studios politely declined his offer, stating “No, thank you,” during casting discussions (as reported by Business Insider). It’s intriguing to note that McConaughey’s rejection seemed quite firm, leaving fans wondering how close he came to the role.

During that period, McConaughey was predominantly recognized for romantic comedies and hadn’t yet undergone his transformative “McConaissance” in projects like Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective. It seems Marvel opted against casting him as Bruce Banner due to a discrepancy in tone; McConaughey’s soothing Southern accent wasn’t quite fitting with the tormented scientist character of the Hulk. However, it’s intriguing to contemplate an alternate scenario where McConaughey lent his easygoing charm to the Hulk, uttering phrases such as “Alright, alright, alright” before transforming into the Hulk.

6. David Duchovny Auditioned To Play The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

Prior to Edward Norton getting the part, David Duchovny was one of the actors under consideration for the character Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (2008). Renowned for his work in The X-Files and Californication, Duchovny had a brooding intellectual quality that Marvel found appealing at first. In a 2006 Variety article, Duchovny was the frontrunner for the role, but it’s uncertain how far he progressed in the audition stage.

David Duchovny’s intellectual demeanor and reserved acting style might have given a unique portrayal of Banner, one that was more thoughtful and introspective, focusing more on the character’s psychological depth. Although Duchovny never put on the purple pants, his consideration shows Marvel’s initial plan to depict a contemplative, internalized version of Banner. It’s intriguing to note that rumors also suggest that Duchovny was once a contender for the role of Banner in Ang Lee’s Hulk as well.

5. Arnold Schwarzenegger Was Deemed Too Short

The Incredible Hulk (1977)

Prior to becoming the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger almost landed the role of the Hulk. During auditions for the 1970s TV series, “The Incredible Hulk”, Schwarzenegger was a strong contender due to his growing popularity as Mr. Universe and bodybuilding titles. However, according to “American Comic Book Chronicles” (via Looper), producers felt that Schwarzenegger was not tall enough to convincingly play the Hulk as a massive, intimidating character.

Although Arnold Schwarzenegger stood at 6’2″ with a muscular physique suitable for the Hulk character, producers felt his height was not imposing enough to effectively sell the on-screen illusion. Instead, the role went to Schwarzenegger’s fellow cast member from “Pumping Iron,” Lou Ferrigno. In retrospect, this casting choice proved beneficial for both men. Ferrigno brought an unforgettable portrayal of the Hulk, cementing himself as one of the most legendary Hulks in history. At the same time, Arnold Schwarzenegger quickly rose to fame with roles in “Conan” and “The Terminator.

4. Richard Kiel Began Filming As The Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (1977)

Following the decision that Arnold Schwarzenegger was not tall enough for the role of the Hulk in “The Incredible Hulk”, Richard Kiel was chosen instead. Known for his iconic role as Jaws in the James Bond films, Kiel stands at an impressive 7’2″, a full foot taller than Schwarzenegger. Filming for the pilot episode had already started when a child on set criticized the casting choice. In an interview with “The Guardian”, Lou Ferrigno stated that it was a young comic book fan who suggested that the Hulk needed to have larger muscles in order to resemble his comic book counterpart more accurately.

Although quite towering, Kiel had a slender physique, particularly when compared to the Hulk. The producers found this fitting and decided to recast the character for a second time. It was during this period that Lou Ferrigno was invited for a screen test. His bulky muscular build and intense silence gave the character a more authentic and primal feel. A few scenes featuring Kiel as the Hulk still exist, with one clip preserved in the original TV pilot.

3. Jeff Goldblum Auditioned For The Hulk

Hulk

In a twist of fate, Jeff Goldblum, renowned for his eccentric charm and intelligent characters, attempted to land the part of Bruce Banner in Ang Lee’s 2003 film, “Hulk.” As detailed by Whitney Crothers Dilley in her book, “The Cinema of Ang Lee: The Other Side of the Screen“, Goldblum was considered for the role before Eric Bana was eventually chosen (as reported by Uproxx). It’s intriguing to ponder how his distinctive speaking style and nervous energy might have brought a fresh perspective to Banner’s emotional turmoil in the film.

Interestingly enough, Goldblum, who had no prior connection to Marvel, would eventually join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking on the quirky role of Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). The amusing fact is that Grandmaster expressed a peculiar bond with the Hulk, echoing Goldblum’s past association with Marvel. One can’t help but speculate about the impact Goldblum could have had in this role, given his unique acting style and experience in portraying transformative, monster-like characters, as seen in The Fly.

2. Ed Norton Nearly Starred In Ang Lee’s Hulk

Hulk

Prior to his appearance in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “The Incredible Hulk” (2008), Edward Norton was among the leading candidates for the role of Bruce Banner in Ang Lee’s “Hulk” (2003). As confirmed by screenwriter Zak Penn, this was during the initial stages of development. However, Norton didn’t push forward with the opportunity at that time, mentioning later to Total Film (via CBR) that he was one of the top picks for the character.

When the phone rings and someone asks, “Are you intrigued by the large green character?”, there’s a reflex in all of us to avoid appearing foolish… There’s a moment of discomfort or self-defense that kicks in when we imagine how it might look if things went wrong. And that’s exactly what I did. I declined it, more than once.

As a film aficionado, I firmly believe that Edward Norton would’ve been an ideal fit for the role Lee had envisioned. Interestingly, fate stepped in five years later, offering Norton the opportunity to embody the character – alas, it was short-lived due to creative clashes with Marvel Studios. Ang Lee’s brooding portrayal of the character seems to be more in line with Norton’s vision for the role, potentially delivering a more satisfying conclusion than The Incredible Hulk.

1. Tom Cruise Turned Down The Hulk

Hulk

In 2003’s Hulk movie directed by Ang Lee, Tom Cruise was given the chance to play Bruce Banner, but he opted not to accept it. Initially, Lee and the producers had Tom Cruise in mind for the main role, possibly drawn to his worldwide fame and powerful on-screen presence. Nevertheless, Cruise chose to pass on the opportunity.

During that period, Cruise was deeply immersed in hit movies such as “Minority Report” and “The Last Samurai.” It’s possible that a brooding, psychological superhero film like “Hulk” seemed too drastic of a change in tone for him. Given the introspective nature of “Hulk,” Cruise’s energetic, action-packed persona might not have blended seamlessly with the somber atmosphere Lee was trying to create. This fascinating bit of “Hulk” history is intriguing because fans often envision Cruise as a potential Iron Man character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, suggesting that he could have played a second Marvel role.

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2025-05-18 22:41