Mark Ruffalo Appears on the Set of ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ as the Re-Release Sets Up Doctor Doom
Marvel has found a clever way to keep fans busy before its next big event. Instead of a normal teaser, it re-released an entire blockbuster and slipped in brand-new scenes. A behind-the-scenes photo of Mark Ruffalo on the set of ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ has now added fuel to the conversation.
The image, shared Instagram user named anthonyleonardi3, shows a smiling Ruffalo posing with a man in a cap while both point playfully toward each other. The setting is a bare concrete, tunnel-like room. It looks a lot like the underground bunker at the center of one of the new scenes.
Marvel re-released ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in theaters on September 25 as ‘Avengers Endgame: Encore.’ The slightly longer cut adds about 4 minutes of new footage that connects directly to ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ Characters like Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner appear in the additions.
The new material includes an altered ending for Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter, a Loki appearance, a Banner scene in the credits, and a TVA moment. Anthony Russo has said the new ending is where ‘Doomsday’ begins. He has also said the directors did not want to alter what the original movie is.
Ruffalo’s contribution is one of the most talked-about. After the credits begin, Banner appears in an underground military facility, recording a video message about what happened after ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ In that film, he loses control and becomes the Hulk after his mind is controlled by Jean Grey, and he is detained.
He appears grey-haired and bearded, and he explains that he is two miles underground so the Hulk cannot escape and no one can break him out. He is also working on a gamma treatment or serum to suppress his alter ego. That confidence does not last.
As Banner talks, the facility’s lights and computers begin to malfunction. Doctor Doom appears off-screen, tells him he has come to collect him, and green magic fills the room. Banner transforms into the Hulk, and the scene ends with only a glowing sigil left on the floor.
It is a chilling moment that shows how powerful Doom is. It also solves a puzzle. Ruffalo was left out of the original ‘Doomsday’ cast announcement, but the scene confirms he is in the film. His character list now shows ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ in post-production.
The strategy is working at the box office. ‘Encore’ earned an estimated $86 million worldwide in its opening weekend, with $26 million domestically and $60 million overseas. Disney called it the second-highest global debut ever for a re-release.
Reassemble the team & relive the experience as Avengers Endgame: Encore returns to theaters September 25.
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 25, 2026
Tickets now available for IMAX and Infinity Vision screens: https://t.co/pZZ4PiOyQb pic.twitter.com/2wKSVG4FLz
The film played in more than 3,000 theaters, including over 1,300 Infinity Vision screens that delivered about 52% of the opening weekend. It opened at No. 1 in China with $13.5 million. Marvel Studios also crossed $35 billion globally across 38 films.
The results have reopened a familiar race. ‘Endgame’ now stands at about $2.885 billion worldwide, behind ‘Avatar’s $2.92 billion. That means the original could reclaim the all-time top spot before its run ends.
Audiences have responded warmly too. The film holds a 96% Verified Moviegoer rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and PostTrak polling gives it five out of five stars. The strong numbers are a good sign for December.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ opens December 18, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, with Downey playing Doom. The film brings together characters from across the multiverse, and ‘Encore’ has made it clear that Banner will be part of the story. What happens to him after that struggle remains a mystery.
For fans, the behind-the-scenes photo is a small but fun reminder of how the additions came together. It also gives a face to a scene that ends with just a scream and a symbol.
What do you think happened to Bruce Banner after Doctor Doom took him?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.
