Close up: Hulk's a smash hit

The big story In case you hadn't noticed, the Avengers movie was released last Friday . Leaving aside the bellyaching about its retitling for the UK , one thing most people agree on is that the chunky green fella, otherwise known as the Hulk, steals the show. Hence the chorus of delight, ecstasy and merriment (especially among those who manufacture those amazing non-split trousers) when Marvel announced they had signed actor Mark Ruffalo to a six-movie deal. Even allowing for two Avengers sequels and a prequel, that still leaves room for a potential three standalone Hulk movies. And that certainly had Stuart Heritage slavering . As Stuart points out, Marvel have previously tried and (largely) failed to insert Hulk into the public consciousness as a single lead character. (Students of the Peter Bradshaw One-Star Review really ought to take a look at his legendary kicking of the Edward Norton attempt in 2008. Now there's a good chance it may actually happen; Marvel seem to have finally, at the third time of asking, found the right actor who is both melancholy and bash-happy. Not before time. In the news A-ha! Alan Partridge movie set for 2013 Robert Pattinson to star in thriller about Saddam Hussein Abraham van Helsing: Tom Cruise's new mission? Peter Jackson stands by new film format despite Hobbit preview doubts Woody Allen singles out Sally Hawkins for lead role Mel Gibson responds to Joe Eszterhas recording: 'I have a little bit of a temper' Oscars to stay in Hollywood for next 20 years at Dolby theatre Eli Roth to spook Las Vegas with his haunted house On the blog The rise of the zomcom: how zombie films have taken over the world Pirates! adventure can't quite sink Think Like a Man Inspirational films: a Universal concern? Clip joint: Imaginary friends Jason Solomons' Trailer Trash Cine-files: Vue, Cambridge Avengers Assemble blows Battleship out of the water Watch and listen The Guardian Film Show: Xan Brooks and Peter Bradshaw discuss Avengers Assemble and Albert Nobbs Barack Obama's introduces To Kill A Mockingbird New Dark Knight Rises trailer hits home Prometheus trailer: a spoiler, or sneaky marketing? Ill Manors: watch the trailer for Plan B's first film - world exclusive Denzel Washington and Judd Apatow pick their most inspirational Universal studios movies - video Further reading Jason Statham, he's an unpreposterous action hero Q&A: Joss Whedon Reel history: Reds wins votes left, right and centre Buck: the real-life horse whisperer A room of my own: Olivia Williams She Monkeys director wanted coming-of-age movie to be 'like a western' In the paper In G2 Film & Music on Friday, Charles Gant discusses the US/UK blockbuster divide, Ryan Gilbey looks at Marcel Carné's Le Quai des Brumes , and there's an interview with mumblecore writer-director-producer brothers Mark and Jay Duplass . In Saturday's Guide there's a look at The Raid , an Indonesian action movie made by a Welshman, and John Patterson writing on Mel Gibson, while in Sunday's Observer New Review Philip French chooses his 10 best film credit sequences. And finally • Follow @guardianfilm on Twitter • ... and like us on Facebook