'Avengers': Mark Ruffalo's childlike inspiration for the Hulk

‘Avengers’: Mark Ruffalo’s childlike inspiration for the Hulk

April 12, 2012 | 3:00 p.m.

The Hulk in "The Avengers." Credit: Marvel.

Mark Ruffalo’s ripped Hulk appears fearsome on the surface, but “The Avengers” star says his inspiration for the character came from a far more meek place: His 10-year-old son.

“I literally based the entire character on [him],” the actor told Hero Complex at the film’s premiere in Hollywood on Wednesday night, where the red carpet was filled with stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson. The film opens nationwide May 4.

“[He's] in this most horrible place as a young person where you have the force of nature streaming through your body, but the rest of the world is expecting you to behave, and I think that’s a little bit like the Hulk and Bruce Banner. I think that character was written for that 10-year-old child inside of us that is trying to fit into a very complex and rule-oriented world.”

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So does Ruffalo’s son, Keane, know he provided source material for his dad?

“Kind of,” the actor smirked. “I’m bringing it out tonight. I’m introducing that to him. I’m dedicating my performance to him.”