Update: Deadline reports that the deal is done and Mark Ruffalo has signed on to play the Hulk in “The Avengers”
So will Mark Ruffalo make a red-eye flight tonight out to San Diego?
The Wrap is reporting that a deal is close to being finalized for Ruffalo to play The Hulk for Marvel, not only in “The Avengers,” but in some unspecified future films as well. And that appears to be the sticking point preventing the deal from being inked. The site reports that payment and the number of films Marvel wants Ruffalo to commit to — between four and six — still needs to be ironed out. Marvel is notoriously stingy on pay and we’re sure Ruffalo (and his agent) want to make sure he isn’t stuck like Samuel L. Jackson having to walk on to the set of every Marvel movie in production just to fill out his contract obligations.
Marvel and co. want the deal to close soon (ie. today) so Ruffalo can fly out to San Diego to hang with the rest of the cast of “The Avengers” and answer the question, “So what made you interested in The Hulk?” about 75 times. So if Ruffalo doesn’t show up, it means the deal isn’t done.