COMIC-CON 2010: Will Mark Ruffalo make Hulking news Saturday?

Let the paparazzi and pap media fret over Brad Pitt's Comic-Con no-show. The actor -- make that Actor -- we most hope makes an appearance this weekend is: Mark Ruffalo.

Because if Ruffalo shows, that all but guarantees that the rumors are true and that the "Kids Are All Right" star is indeed our new Hulk.

Deadline has been fomenting the rumors all this month, and on Friday was reporting that it was a done deal between Marvel and Mark. And midmonth, Nikki Finke said the two parties were in "late-stage discussions" for Ruffalo to play Bruce Banner in "The Avengers."

All the rumors have frothed to the top rather rapidly since Ed Norton was unceremoniously dumped by Marvel -- prompting the Oscar-nominated actor to try to save face via Facebook.

If the deal can be quickly hammered out (and talk about a job for Thor), Ruffalo could be ushered to the Con just in time to be presented with the rest of the "Avengers" cast and newly confirmed director Joss Whedon -- to the certain roar of great Hall H.

Talk about your Banner days.