Disney Reportedly Fires Marvel Superstar After Controversial Trump Speech, Eliminated from Avengers

Mark Ruffalo went hard at the 2026 Golden Globes, called President Trump “the worst human being in the world,” spoke out against military aggression, and basically said everything your conservative uncle hates hearing at Thanksgiving dinner.

Within hours, social media exploded with claims that Disney and Marvel Studios had severed ties with the actor, pointing to his political speech as the reason behind his alleged firing. Videos started circulating, posts went viral, and Marvel fans collectively panicked about losing their beloved Hulk over some red carpet comments.

The rumors spread so fast that people started treating them as confirmed fact, sharing articles and hot takes about Disney’s supposed decision to cut Ruffalo loose. Here’s the problem though: none of it is actually true.

There’s zero official confirmation from Disney, Marvel Studios, or any legitimate entertainment trade publication that Ruffalo has been fired or dropped from future MCU projects.

The whole thing appears to be a perfect storm of political tension, old jokes taken out of context, existing confusion about the Hulk’s MCU future, and maybe a dash of wishful thinking from people who’ve wanted Ruffalo canceled for years. Let’s break down what actually happened versus what the internet decided happened.

The Golden Globes Speech That Started It All

Ruffalo didn’t hold back on the Golden Globes red carpet. He spoke against military aggression and interventionism, pushing for humane action and global peace over conflict and violence.

Then he went directly at Trump, calling him “the worst human being in the world” and accusing him of disregarding international law. Ruffalo said the current political situation didn’t feel like America anymore and that staying silent wasn’t an option he could live with.

Strong words, especially at a high-profile Hollywood event with cameras everywhere. Not exactly surprising coming from Ruffalo though, who’s been vocal about progressive politics for years. He’s never been shy about sharing his views, even when they generate backlash from conservative audiences and right-wing media outlets.

The speech gave his critics fresh ammunition. Within hours, social media lit up with posts claiming Disney had fired him, cut his contract, or completely removed him from future Marvel projects. Some posts linked directly to the Golden Globes speech as the reason. Others suggested Disney was distancing themselves from Ruffalo’s politics to avoid controversy.

Why the Rumors Spread So Fast

According to OtakuKart, these firing claims lack any credible sources or verification. No official statements from Disney or Marvel Studios. No coverage from major entertainment trade publications like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or Deadline. Nothing concrete backing up the allegations at all.

So where did this come from? Partly from people who want it to be true. Ruffalo’s progressive politics and outspoken activism have made him a target for conservatives who’d love to see him canceled. The Golden Globes speech gave them a perfect opportunity to spread firing rumors whether they were real or not.

But there’s also a hilarious element to this that makes the whole situation even messier. The “Mark Ruffalo fired” thing actually traces back to a 2018 joke that’s been haunting the internet ever since. During a Tonight Show appearance with Jimmy Fallon while promoting Avengers: Endgame, Ruffalo jokingly spoiled the film’s title. The Russo Brothers, who directed the movie, responded with a tongue-in-cheek social media post saying “Mark, you’re fired.”

It was obviously a comedy bit. Everyone involved was joking around. But screenshots of that Russo Brothers tweet started circulating without context years later, and people who didn’t know the backstory took it seriously. Now that old joke is getting mixed up with current political rumors, creating this perfect mess of misinformation.

Disney’s History With Political Firings

The reason these rumors gained traction so quickly has everything to do with Gina Carano. Disney absolutely did fire her from The Mandalorian in 2021 over controversial social media posts, most notably one comparing being a Republican in the US to Jews during the Holocaust. Lucasfilm called her posts “abhorrent and unacceptable,” dropped her from the show, and her agency cut ties with her too.

Carano had been posting stuff that drew criticism for months. Mocking mask mandates during COVID, spreading election fraud claims, the Holocaust comparison that finally got her axed. Disney’s then-CEO Bob Chapek said she didn’t align with company values. She was completely done with Disney and Lucasfilm.

Carano sued Disney for wrongful termination with funding from Elon Musk, claiming discrimination based on sex and political views. She pointed out male co-stars made similar posts without consequences. Disney and Carano settled the lawsuit in 2025, terms undisclosed, but she never came back to The Mandalorian or any Disney projects.

So yeah, Disney has proven they’ll fire people over political posts and controversial statements. That precedent is exactly why the Ruffalo firing rumors seemed plausible to so many people. If they did it to Carano, why not Ruffalo after his Trump comments?

The Hulk’s Actual MCU Status

Here’s where things get legitimately confusing and probably fed into the firing rumors. Ruffalo confirmed to Empire that he will not appear in Avengers: Doomsday. The Hulk is sitting out the next big ensemble movie while Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Robert Downey Jr. are all returning to the franchise.

That’s weird, right? The Hulk has been part of the Avengers since 2012, and suddenly he’s benched for the next major team-up film. Fans are understandably confused about why one of the core Avengers isn’t showing up while others are making comebacks.

Ruffalo explained that he’s open to returning for future projects as long as Marvel keeps finding interesting things to do with the character. He noted that playing the Hulk gave him opportunities for other roles, mentioning that he probably wouldn’t be in Crime 101 without The Avengers success. His comments suggest he’s not done with the role, just not involved in Doomsday specifically.

The Hulk will still appear in the MCU during 2026 though. Ruffalo is confirmed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day alongside Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, and Sadie Sink, releasing July 31. So he’s not gone from Marvel, just absent from one particular Avengers film.

This absence from Doomsday probably contributed to firing rumors. People heard “Ruffalo not in next Avengers movie,” saw the Golden Globes speech backlash, and connected dots that don’t actually connect. Creative decisions about which characters appear in which films got interpreted as political consequences.

Why Ruffalo Draws Constant Backlash

Ruffalo’s progressive activism has made him a lightning rod for criticism from conservative audiences. He’s been vocal about political and social issues for years, never shying away from controversial topics or potentially alienating portions of his fanbase.

He’s also caught heat for his involvement in Marvel projects focused on female superheroes. She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel both faced “woke” accusations from certain audience segments who objected to diversity and representation initiatives in the MCU. Ruffalo’s support for these projects and his general progressive stance on representation issues has fueled ongoing debates.

These factors create an environment where firing rumors gain traction quickly. Conservative critics want to believe Disney would drop him, progressive supporters worry Disney might actually do it given the Carano precedent, and everyone’s on edge about political speech consequences in Hollywood.

What’s Actually Happening Here

Based on available information, absolutely nothing. Mark Ruffalo remains officially associated with Marvel Studios. No credible sources confirm any firing, contract termination, or severing of ties between the actor and Disney. Trade publications that would definitely cover major MCU casting news have reported nothing.

The rumors appear to be a combination of wishful thinking from Ruffalo’s critics, fear from his supporters, old jokes being recycled, and general confusion about his Doomsday absence getting interpreted as something more significant than a creative decision.

Disney and Marvel Studios have made no statements addressing the rumors, which honestly makes sense. Responding to every piece of internet misinformation would be a full-time job. The lack of official denial doesn’t validate the claims though. It just means Disney isn’t bothering to address something that has no basis in reality.

Ruffalo himself hasn’t addressed the firing rumors directly either, probably because giving them attention would legitimize baseless speculation. He’s continuing with his scheduled projects and public appearances as normal.

The Real Story About Ruffalo’s Future

Mark Ruffalo is confirmed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day in 2026. That’s an official casting announcement, not speculation or rumor. He’s working on other projects outside Marvel as well, suggesting his career is moving forward normally without any Disney-related consequences from his Golden Globes speech.

His absence from Avengers: Doomsday appears to be a creative decision related to the film’s story and character lineup rather than any political fallout. Marvel has rotated characters in and out of ensemble films before based on narrative needs. Not every Avenger appears in every Avengers movie.

Ruffalo expressed openness to returning for Avengers: Secret Wars or other future MCU projects, indicating he sees a continued relationship with Marvel Studios rather than any severed ties. His comments suggest ongoing conversations about the character’s role in upcoming phases of the MCU.

The situation with Ruffalo differs significantly from Gina Carano’s firing. Carano faced immediate consequences with official statements from Lucasfilm explaining her removal. Ruffalo has faced no such official action, no public statements addressing his employment status, and no credible reporting suggesting any behind-the-scenes consequences.

Political speech at awards shows isn’t new for Ruffalo, and Marvel has continued working with him throughout previous instances of him sharing progressive views publicly. The Golden Globes speech, while pointed and controversial, doesn’t represent a departure from his established pattern of activism.

Bottom line? The firing rumors are unfounded. Ruffalo’s MCU status appears unchanged despite the viral claims suggesting otherwise.

What do you think about all this? Are you buying the rumors or do you think this is just internet nonsense that got out of hand? Have you seen any actual proof that Disney did anything to Ruffalo or is everyone just assuming based on the Gina Carano situation? Sound off in the comments because honestly, we’re all trying to figure out what’s real anymore with how fast misinformation spreads these days.