In a shocking shift that has rocked the entertainment industry, Disney and Marvel Studios have officially terminated Mark Ruffalo’s long-term contract – reportedly worth up to $500 million – following his controversial remarks at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards.
This decision, confirmed by multiple unnamed senior studio sources, comes just days after Ruffalo used the red carpet interview to deliver a scathing critique of the state of the country, calling for “truth over comfort” and expressing deep disappointment with the direction America is heading politically and culturally.
In a live pre-show interview with E!, Ruffalo – clearly emotional – told reporters: “It’s hard to pretend anymore… I and millions of others have suffered enough, and I can’t stay silent any longer.”
When asked why he felt the need to speak out amidst such a high-profile event, Ruffalo reflected:
“I’ve spent years playing a character who represents truth, sacrifice, and protecting people. I can’t continue doing that on screen while remaining silent about what’s happening in real life. I’m sorry about how this might affect my work and my roles, but the truth must be the truth. I’m saying these things in the hope that the country will be better – not to attack anyone.”
These comments – delivered in front of flashing cameras and glittering crowds – immediately went viral, garnering tens of millions of views in just hours. While some praised Ruffalo for his bravery, others accused him of politicizing a night that should have been a celebration, with conservative commentators calling the remarks “divisive” and “Hollywood elitism at its worst.”
Disney and Marvel, already embroiled in internal debates about the future direction of the MCU, reportedly acted swiftly. Sources said the decision to terminate Ruffalo’s contract — including provisions for further Hulk appearances, including in Avengers films — was finalized within 48 hours of the Golden Globes broadcast.
A Marvel Studios spokesperson issued a brief statement this afternoon: “We have agreed to terminate Mark Ruffalo’s contract. We thank him for his incredible contributions to the MCU over the past 15 years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. The Hulk character remains an important part of our plans, and we are actively exploring the next steps, including reshooting some scenes if necessary.”
Industry sources have confirmed that reshooting some scenes for upcoming projects — including parts of Avengers: Doomsday — is planned to replace or reshape the Hulk’s role. No official replacement has been announced, although names like Ryan Reynolds (in a potentially humorous scenario) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II have surfaced in speculation.
Ruffalo has yet to comment publicly on the termination of his contract, but those close to him said he was “not surprised” and viewed the parting as inevitable given his increasingly outspoken stance on social and political issues.
This move marks the second major departure of an actor from the MCU in recent weeks, following earlier reports of creative tension with other actors who have expressed discomfort with the direction of the series. For many fans, the loss of Ruffalo – whose role as Bruce Banner/Hulk has been a cornerstone of the MCU since The Avengers (2012) – feels like the end of an era.
The reaction on social media has been swift and deeply divided. #ThankYouMarkRuffalo and #RuffaloWasRight are trending alongside #GoodRiddanceRuffalo and #MCUWithoutHulk. One viral post summarized the sentiment on one side: “He chose truth over money. That’s real courage.” The other side: “He chose politics over his fans. Goodbye.”
Whatever the motive, the loss of Mark Ruffalo is a major blow to Marvel’s future plans — and a clear signal that the culture war that has divided the country has now spilled over into Hollywood’s most valuable film franchise.
The Hulk may be invincible on screen, but even he wouldn’t survive the real-world consequences if he dared to have free speech in 2026.
