Hulk Hypes Up Punisher’s Arrival in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Mark Ruffalo teases possible return as Banner without having seen a script—yet can’t wait to meet Jon Bernthal’s Punisher in the MCU’s highly anticipated 2026 blockbuster.

Mark Ruffalo, best known for playing Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the MCU, has expressed his excitement about potentially joining Spider-Man: Brand New Day—especially alongside Jon Bernthal’s Punisher.

Although Ruffalo admitted he hasn’t received a script yet, he hinted that once he does, the rumors of his return will become real. The actor praised Bernthal, calling him both hilarious and an outstanding performer. “He plays that character like nobody else. I can’t wait to work with him—I’ve never even met him!” Ruffalo shared during a recent red carpet interview.

Bernthal’s return as Frank Castle marks his first big-screen appearance in the MCU. He originally portrayed the Punisher in two seasons of Netflix’s The Punisher before its cancellation in 2019, and more recently reprised the role in Daredevil: Born Again. He is also set to star in a solo special for Disney+ in 2026.

Meanwhile, Ruffalo’s potential appearance in Brand New Day would be his first time in a Spider-Man film, though he has previously teamed up with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in past Avengers outings. His last MCU appearance was in the 2022 Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently filming in Glasgow. Alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, the film features returning stars Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Michael Mando, as well as newcomers Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Tramell Tillman.

Set for release on July 31, 2026, the movie will be part of Marvel’s Phase 6 slate. Unlike the massive intergalactic storylines of recent MCU entries, this film is described as a “street-level” Spider-Man tale focusing on New York crime and vigilante justice—with Hulk and Punisher possibly adding a powerful new dimension to Spidey’s world.