3 Marvel Heroes The Hulk Can't Stand That He Still Needs To Face In The MCU

Published Sep 12, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT

Nicholas Raymond is an author and journalist based out of Alabama, where he proudly roots for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, he has a degree in mass communication with a concentration in journalism.

Despite having more movie appearances than the vast majority of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's heroes, the Incredible Hulk is still missing so many important parts of the lore surrounding his comic book counterpart. Having only been afforded one solo movie, there's naturally some limitations on what it can do with the Jade Giant, but when it comes to team-ups and clashes with his fellow superheroes, opportunities are plentiful. And that's thanks to the MCU's willingness to put the Hulk in team-up movies like the Avengers series and other characters' solo outings.

That said, the MCU has done its own take on a handful of major superhero battles involving the Hulk. In the comic books, he's had memorable encounters with the likes of Thor, Spider-Man, and Iron Man, the latter of which he has a storied adversarial relationship with. Over the years, the MCU has dove into all three of these match-ups, having most recently pitted the Hulk against Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Yet, there's plenty left to do, as the Hulk has contentious dynamics and rivalries with other heroes as well. His beef with Iron Man only accounts for one of them. There are heroes out there in the MCU whom the Hulk would undoubtedly come to blows with if they ever met, but the MCU has yet to arrange a meeting.

3 Wolverine

Chief among these characters is, of course, Wolverine. Now that Deadpool & Wolverine has evidently put Hugh Jackman's character on the table for future MCU appearances, the MCU has a chance to honor his roots in a way that no previous Wolverine or X-Men film has been able to do, which is throw him into a fight with his original enemy in Marvel Comics - the Hulk. Before becoming an X-Men character, Wolverine debuted as a super-powered adversary to the Hulk in the iconic issue, The Incredible Hulk #181.

In the comic, Wolverine had a now-legendary standoff with the Hulk in the snow, with his adamantium frame enabling him to stand up to the force of Hulk's blows. If Marvel finds a project where both would fit into the story, it wouldn't be difficult to set up a battle. Whereas most superheroes may try to reason with or calm the Hulk down, Wolverine has no reputation for patience and is more likely to solve problems with his claws.

2 Namor the Sub-Mariner

One of Hulk's biggest rivals in Marvel Comics is Namor the Sub-Mariner - or, as Hulk calls him, "Fish Man." When fully hydrated, Namor is one of the strongest forces on the planet and among the few heroes capable of going toe-to-toe with the Hulk. In Marvel Comics, Namor's overwhelming power often translates to a swell of confidence, to a point where Namor scoffs at other characters thinking they're his equal. He's been quick to look down at the Hulk, which has unsurprisingly led to some epic brawls in the Silver Age.

Namor eventually grew to respect Hulk's prowess, but that didn't stop the two from quarreling, nor did their joint membership in the Defenders. Due to his childlike intellect and the ease in which he could find offense, Hulk was not a great team player, which had a tendency to put him at odds with Namor. In many instances, it was up to Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and Doctor Strange to keep their conflict from boiling over.

If Marvel ever makes a proper Defenders movie focused on the original team - as opposed to Daredevil's street-level squad of the same name - a Hulk vs. Namor showdown would feel like an inevitability.

1 The Thing

Arguably Hulk's favorite sparring partner in Marvel Comics, The Thing has a long and violent history with the Hulk that dates all the way back to 1963's Fantastic Four #12. When the Fantastic Four and the Hulk would butt heads, it was ultimately the Thing that would take on the brunt of the battle, relishing the challenge of fighting the Hulk himself. At the heart of their conflict is their clashing egos, as both view themselves as the strongest characters on Earth.

It being one of Marvel's most famous superhero rivalries, it would be disappointing if the MCU never finds room for a Hulk vs. The Thing grudge match. But there are scenarios where it work, such as the Incredible Hulk appearing in a potential sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps or Avengers: Secret Wars.