No one was prepared for the popularity spike for the Hulk in the wake of 'The Avengers.' After 2003's instantly infamous 'Hulk' and 2008's forgettable 'The Incredible Hulk,' audiences simply weren't displaying any kind of affinity for Dr. Bruce Banner and his smash-happy alter ego. But, actor Mark Ruffalo and writer/director Joss Whedon finally got it right and the not-so-jolly green giant practically stole the film from the likes of Iron Man.

And now, according to Ruffalo, Marvel is finally considering giving the big guy a third shot at a solo act.

Ruffalo drops the news in an interview with Digital Spy, saying that there have been discussions, but nothing definitive has been put into the works:

I think they are, for the first time, entertaining the idea of it.  When we did The Avengers it was basically 'No!', and now there is some consideration for it. But there's still nothing definitive, not even a skeletal version of what it would be. I look forward to going down that road, if we could crack that nut.

Okay, here's the thing about a solo Hulk movie. Everyone has been talking about it since 2012 and everyone always mentions that it's being considered but hasn't been officially put into the works. There hasn't been a real update about this potential project in years. So, one of two things is happening. Either Marvel Studios is truly dragging their feet on a new film for one of their breakout stars or something has been long-in-the-works and everyone involved is lying through their teeth. Knowing Marvel's slippery track record, the latter wouldn't surprise us at all.

Besides, we want there to be another Hulk movie, perhaps in time for Marvel's Phase Three. Who wouldn't want to see a summer blockbuster starring the shaggy and lovable Mark Ruffalo, let alone a summer blockbuster where the shaggy and lovable Mark Ruffalo smashes things to smithereens?

In the meantime, Ruffalo is hard at work shooting 'Avengers 2,' which will arrive in theaters on May 1, 2015.

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