Mark Ruffalo's Hulk to appear in upcoming 'Thor: Ragnarok'

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Actor Mark Ruffalo is close to finalizing a deal to see him return as researcher Bruce Banner, or the Hulk, in Marvel's next Thor installment.

According to reports, Ruffalo is in final negotiations with Marvel for a role opposite fellow Avenger Chris Hemsworth, or Thor, in hero franchise's third film, Thor: Ragnarok. The flick, directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Kevin Feige, is reportedly on the fast-track in pre-production.

The deal will mark the Hulk character's latest appearance on the big screen since this year's Avengers: Age of Ultron. Due to rights restrictions -- Universal holds the green character's distribution rights and Marvel authority over the character -- filmmakers have not been able to produce a standalone film for Ruffalo's Hulk.

Actors Tom Hiddleston and Jamie Alexander are set to return to Ragnarok, which JoBlo reports will cover a "Norse Apocalypse," on an entirely different planet than Asgard or Earth, is set for release in November 2017.