Mark Ruffalo has played many great characters over the years but the one he is most recognized for remains to be the MCU superhero Dr. Bruce Banner aka Hulk. Despite his initial hesitation to star in the franchise, he decided to go for it because he liked the humor and the way the Green Goliath’s introduction was written by writer/director Joss Whedon in the 2012 Marvel movie The Avengers.

Mark Ruffalo went on to reprise his role as Hulk in several other Marvel movies and shows. Hulk is one of the six original Avengers so naturally, the actors who appeared in the MCU alongside Ruffalo formed a close bond with each other. As a memorabilia of their friendship, five of the six original Avengers got matching tattoos but Ruffalo opted out of it which made Robert Downey Jr. a little upset.
Mark Ruffalo Mark Ruffalo

Robert Downey Jr.’s Reaction To Mark Ruffalo’s Refusal To Getting Tattooed

Robert Downey Jr.’s 2008 movie Iron Man laid the foundations of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although the universe has expanded quite a lot since then, Downey Jr.’s contributions to the franchise cannot be ignored as he not only convinced Chris Evans to take up the role of Captain America but also cajoled Mark Ruffalo into playing Hulk.

Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo

During his appearance on Wired’s Autocorrect interview alongside Christopher Nolan to promote the biographical drama, Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. recounted the backstory about the tattoo, saying:

“That happened the evening of the premiere of Infinity War. Scarlett got it first, then CE got it, then I got it, then JR got it, then Chris Hemsworth got it — even though he was a little tentative about it, and seemed to overreact to the pain. And then MR said I’m not getting that tattoo — I don’t want to be part of your Hollywood inside game, to which I applauded.”
Read More: “She was a mean girl”: Hulk Actor Mark Ruffalo Didn’t Realize Starring With Brie Larson in $97M Movie Before Working With The Marvels Star in the MCU

The Chaplin star then proceeded to mouth “F*ck you, Mark” to the camera on the set of Wired’s Autocorrect interview. Ruffalo’s fear of needles has landed him in this predicament.

Mark Ruffalo Had Clarified The Rumors About Him Not Getting The Tatto

Mark Ruffalo designed the tattoo that the other five original Avengers got. Hilariously, the actor himself did not get it. Apparently, Robert Downey Jr. is still trying to convince the Poor Things actor to give in to peer pressure and get the tattoo.

During his appearance in an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Mark Ruffalo said:
“I didn’t get a tattoo. I opted out of the tattoo. It’s not over yet. There’s still another movie. First of all, I am afraid of needles. But also, I’ve kind of got a punk rock soul, and I felt like, ‘Dude, everyone has tattoos’. I’m going to be punk rock and not get the tattoo! Honestly, I feel left out, and I’m working up the courage to get needled.”
The tattoo, styled by Ruffalo, is an ‘A’ from Avengers intercrossed with a ‘6’ which denotes the number of original Avengers. Hopefully, the Spotlight actor will be brave enough to get the tattoo someday.