Summary

Fan art depicts a potential battle between Wolverine and Hulk, a clash that fans have been eagerly anticipating in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hugh Jackman’s retirement as Wolverine hasn’t stopped fans from speculating on the character’s future interactions, including a possible face-off with the Hulk. While Jackman’s return as Wolverine is confirmed for Deadpool 3, Mark Ruffalo’s future as the Hulk remains uncertain, due to legal ownership issues and distribution rights.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly expanding, and with decades of untapped Marvel Comics story arcs to be inspired by, it is unlikely to stop anytime soon. Of course, there are some people who just cannot wait to see certain characters come together on screen, and, therefore, fan art becomes the place to go to in order to see those clashes and confrontations that have not yet played out in cinemas or on Disney+.

With Deadpool 3 bringing Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the MCU cooking pot, one fan has served up a treat by sharing the sight of savage fan art depicting a battle between Wolverine and his occasional comic book adversary the Hulk, something that we can only hope will one day happen in the Marvel Studios franchise. If it does happen, chances are it will be without Jackman as the Adamantium-infused icon, so this fan art could be as close as we get to seeing him and Mark Ruffalo’s Green Giant smashing it out. Check out the images shared by Esheffects on Instagram below:

Related:Ryan Reynolds Blames Hugh Jackman for X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trash Fire

Wolverine and Hulk’s Futures in the MCU

Hugh Jackman had previously retired from the role of Wolverine after Logan in 2017 having played the character in Fox’s X-Men Universe from 2000’s X-Men through six other movies. However, thanks to the fully-fledged bromance between Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, it seemly did not take too much to persuade the Aussie song-and-dance man to get his chops out once again. While this seems to be Jackman’s epilogue as Wolverine, that hasn’t stopped many fans speculating on if and when the character could come face to face with the Hulk on screen as he has previously in the comic books.

Over time, Wolverine has grown to be one of the few foes that Hulk has been seen to have a certain fear of. First meeting in The Incredible Hulk #180-181, their appearances together may not have been frequent, but they have certainly stirred a lot of interest in a possible clash similar to that seen in this fan art.

While Jackman’s immediate future in the Marvel franchise has been set, that of Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is a little less clear. Having most recently appeared in the form of Bruce Banner and Smart Hulk in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, the character’s legal ownership has constantly caused a headache for Marvel Studios, with distribution rights of any solo Hulk projects only allowed with the express consent and backing of Universal Pictures. Although Ruffalo has recently shared his hopes, and ideas, for what could come the Hulk’s way in future, a World War Hulk movie looks to be the ultimate goal, but as yet those murky rights issues have yet to be clarified and resolved to allow that to happen.

In the meantime, fans can always rely on a bit of fan art to give them something to chomp on while they wait for whatever the MCU brings next for both Wolverine and Hulk, whether that’s apart or together, as friend or foe. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine will appear in Deadpool 3, which is set to be released in cinemas worldwide on July 26, 2024.

Deadpool 3 Release Date July 26, 2024 Studio Marvel Studios