Mark Ruffalo Breaks Silence on His Next Hulk Comeback—What It Means for the MCU

Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo is urging Disney to rethink its late-night strategy after ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week, a move he claims is already hurting the company’s bottom line. In a post on Meta’s Threads platform dated 20 September, the three-time Oscar nominee re-shared a report noting a drop of roughly 7 percent in Disney’s share price following the pre-emption of Kimmel’s show and warned that the slide “will go down even further” if the network makes the suspension permanent. Ruffalo’s message quickly went viral among his 23 million social-media followers and sparked an online debate over corporate censorship and the political leanings of late-night programming. “They do not want to be the ones that broke America,” the “Avengers” star wrote, suggesting that Disney’s brand image could be irreparably damaged if it bows to pressure from conservative groups angry about Kimmel’s on-air remarks. Disney has not commented publicly on the stock-price fluctuation, which financial analysts say may reflect broader market volatility as well as investor unease about the company’s ongoing contract talks with cable providers. Still, Ruffalo’s warning adds a high-profile voice to the growing chorus of Marvel alumni—including Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle and Chris Evans—who have defended Kimmel as a “vital late-night satirist” and criticized ABC for what they see as a capitulation to “outrage politics.” The actor also linked the controversy to larger cultural stakes. In a separate interview on Fox News Digital, Ruffalo claimed that recent moves by right-wing lawmakers to restrict reproductive rights and curriculum choices could leave Americans “living under Taliban-like conditions” if left unchecked. Critics on social media blasted the analogy as inflammatory, while supporters applauded him for “telling hard truths” about creeping authoritarianism. Financial experts note that Disney shares closed at $112.08 on Wednesday, down from a weekly average of $116.32, before rebounding slightly in after-hours trading. Although a single star’s social-media post is unlikely to move markets, Ruffalo’s comments amplify a narrative that could influence consumer attitudes. “Investors pay attention to public sentiment, particularly when it comes from culturally influential figures,” says Wedbush Securities media analyst Alicia Reese. “If the perception takes hold that Disney is suppressing creative voices, that can translate into lower subscriber growth for Disney+, reduced theme-park visits, or boycotts of upcoming releases.” For Ruffalo, the dispute dovetails with his long-standing advocacy for progressive causes, including climate action and campaign-finance reform. He previously urged fans to “Vote Climate” during the 2024 midterms and has appeared at rallies supporting Hollywood labor unions. Close associates say the actor is weighing whether to speak at next month’s Writers Guild benefit gala in Los Angeles, where Kimmel is scheduled to receive a First Amendment award. Meanwhile, production on Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Secret Wars” remains on track for its May 2026 release, though industry insiders caution that ongoing SAG-AFTRA negotiations could introduce new delays. Ruffalo’s Hulk is rumored to have a pivotal role in the ensemble film, making his relationship with Disney even more consequential. What happens next may hinge on whether ABC reinstates Kimmel before the end of the crucial fall advertising window. Roughly $60 million in primetime ad inventory is at stake, according to Magna Global estimates, and Ruffalo argues that advertisers “don’t want to be seen supporting censorship.” Disney executives are reportedly exploring a compromise that would bring Kimmel back with a brief on-air apology, but no decision has been announced. For now, Ruffalo shows no sign of backing down: “When we silence comedians, we silence ourselves,” he wrote in a follow-up Threads post on Sunday. “Disney can be on the right side of history—or the wrong side of its own balance sheet.”