A new rumor about Avengers: Doomsday suggests that one of Marvel Comics’ oldest rivalries could finally play out on the big screen. According to social media scooper James Mack, as reported by Murphy’s Multiverse, the upcoming film will feature a hand-to-hand battle between The Hulk and The Thing in Latveria, the home turf of Doctor Doom.
The reported scene involves a group of Avengers sneaking into Latveria, only to run into Doombots and Latverian witches. Just when things look bad, the Hulk appears wearing a Doom mask, and Ben Grimm charges at him with his famous catchphrase. This would mark the first time the two heavyweights have traded punches in live-action.
Why This Hulk vs. The Thing Rumor Makes Sense
The rumor lines up with a mid-credits scene from Avengers: Endgame Encore. That scene showed Bruce Banner hiding in an underground military base after his rampage in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Doctor Doom then appeared, told Banner he was there to “collect” him, and teleported them both away after Banner transformed into the Hulk.
If Doom is controlling the Hulk, then sending him against the Avengers — and specifically against The Thing — fits the classic comic book dynamic. The Thing and The Hulk have fought more than 60 times in Marvel Comics since their first encounter in Fantastic Four #12 in 1963. That first fight was also the first crossover in Marvel Universe history, making it a landmark moment for the publisher.
In those comic battles, the Hulk has generally come out on top. One count puts the Hulk at 10 victories against The Thing’s 6 across their 60-plus meetings. Even so, Ben Grimm has scored notable wins, including a story where he beat a gray-skinned Hulk in Fantastic Four #320.
What We Know About Avengers: Doomsday So Far
Avengers: Doomsday is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, who previously helmed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom, a major shift from his long-running role as Tony Stark and Iron Man.
The cast also includes Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Letitia Wright, and Channing Tatum, among many others.
The film brings together heroes from the Avengers, Wakandans, the New Avengers (formerly the Thunderbolts), the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men to face Doom. According to Anthony Russo, Steve Rogers’ decision to stay with Peggy Carter is important to the story. He said during a recent Q&A:
“You know, we sort of play one beat past where Steve Rogers’ story ended with Peggy Carter, and in that moment, that’s where Doomsday is born.”
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to release in theaters on December 18, 2026, in the United States. The film will open earlier in some markets, including the UK on December 16 and Australia on December 17.
Rumors have also pointed to an Avengers vs. X-Men battle in the film, with the mutant team reportedly wearing comic-accurate costumes during the shoot. Another rumor suggests the movie could open with a fight between Spider-Man and Wolverine.
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A Fight Fans Have Waited Decades For
The Thing and the Hulk are two of Marvel’s most recognizable powerhouses, and their rivalry dates back to the earliest days of the Marvel Universe. Bringing that fight to the MCU would be a genuine payoff for longtime comic readers. Murphy’s Multiverse noted that while Ben Grimm can expect to be on the wrong side of clobbering time based on their comic history, the Russos will capitalize on that legacy in Doomsday.
Whether the rumor turns out to be true remains to be seen. Marvel has not confirmed any details about the Hulk vs. The Thing scene. But if it does happen, it would be one of the most direct comic-to-screen translations in the Multiverse Saga so far.
Also Read: Avengers Endgame Encore: 4 New Scenes Explained and What They Mean for Doomsday
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on Avengers: Doomsday and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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