Mark Ruffalo Promises A 'Huge Change' For The Hulk In Avengers 4 — Is He Gonna Smash His Own Teammates?

The Hulk is set to make his glorious return in November when Thor: Ragnarok hits theaters, and MCU fans around the world can't wait to see the Marvel icon again — it's been a long time since Avengers: Age of Ultron, but fortunately Marvel has big things planned for the big guy.

While Mark Ruffalo was in Anaheim for D23 last weekend to promote Avengers: Infinity War with several other Marvel Cinematic Universe co-stars, he had some interesting concepts to share with Fandango about how Thor: Ragnarok is only the beginning of the Hulk's new storyline:

"There's a huge change for Banner and for Hulk. It isn't resolved in the first Infinity War, it sort of culminates into the second Infinity War. Thor 3 is the beginning of a lot of changes for Banner and for Hulk."

Although Ruffalo wouldn't divulge anything else about the future of the character, it does seem that Bruce Banner and #Hulk will quite possibly shape the #MCU moving forward. Even though Ruffalo says that it's impossible for a solo Hulk film to happen, Hulk could still be a pivotal player in the MCU — but will he be a hero or villain?

Does the Hulk go through a major change in 'Thor: Ragnarok'?

Come this November, we'll learn exactly what happens to both Thor and Hulk when they face off in gladiatorial combat — with a winner finally being decided. The two will likely need each other to survive the Grandmaster's plan, and after all this time on Sakaar, the Hulk has probably learned a thing or two.

We know that Bruce Banner left Earth of his own volition at the end of Age of Ultron. Through a series of events, he finds himself on the planet Sakaar, and the only way to survive is to channel his rage in combat. We can imagine that Hulk grows stronger due to the powerful radiation — and when that's mixed with Bruce's intellect, we could finally see The Hulk in a form where he's completely in control of his anger, becoming the dark horse in the war against Thanos.

Will we see Hulk as a villain post-'Infinity War'?

Although there was no footage of Hulk in the D23 teaser for Avengers: Infinity War, we have seen Bruce pop up in set photos with Doctor Strange and Tony Stark over the past few weeks. So, we know that Bruce will return to Earth in Infinity War.

This opens up some major possibilities. Many fans are still holding out for a #WorldWarHulk adaptation, especially when we already know that Ragnarok is partially adapting the famous Planet Hulk storyline, which sees Bruce form a truce with his enraged counterpart to survive on Sakaar before returning to New York to call out his former comrades.

Yet, as wonderful as "World War Hulk" would be, something major would need to happen in either Ragnarok or Infinity War for Hulk to turn on his comrades as he does in the comics. Perhaps Thanos will play a role in this change, which could mean that Avengers 4 adapts "World War Hulk."