The Fox-Marvel Universe definitely favored one mutant over the rest. Wolverine was the lead in their original X-Men trilogy as well as the star of his own spin-off movies. In their latest X-Men films, however, Fox began to focus on the other X-Men (primarily Magneto and Professor X) and even gave Wolverine a fantastic send-off in LOGAN. One aspect to Wolverine’s character that Fox never touched on, however, were the times when Wolverine was less than heroic. In fact, the first time we were introduced to Wolverine in the comics was in THE INCREDIBLE HULK #181 and he wasn’t introduced as the hero we know him as today, Wolverine was introduced as a villain.

Since Disney now has the rights to all of the X-Men, they have an opportunity to introduce Wolverine in the MCU as he was introduced to the world in THE INCREDIBLE HULK comic. And perhaps one man who has hated the Hulk from the beginning has a little something to do with it. Let’s investigate how Thaddeus Ross could be the key to Wolverine’s introduction into the MCU as an adversary to the Hulk.

1. Heck of a Career Boost

The last time we saw Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in the MCU before CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR was in THE INCREDIBLE HULK. By the end of THE INCREDIBLE HULK, Ross had stolen super soldier serum, illegally experimented on one of his men (who became the Abomination), and was responsible for the destruction of half of Harlem. In the post credit scene of that same movie, we see him drinking himself to death in a bar. I mean, after everything he was responsible for in THE INCREDIBLE HULK, not to mention the fact that after all that he wasn’t even able to capture the Hulk, things could not have looked good for his career.

Jump forward a few years to CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. After not seeing Ross for years, we are met with him once again. Only this time he’s not a General, and definitely not a disgraced General (which would have been more than likely). We are met with Ross in the position of Secretary of State. What a promotion! Maybe the United States just saw past his highly illegal activity and obsessive nature? Or maybe he just had a little bit of help.

2. Influence of Weapon X

It makes sense that Ross would get the attention of The Weapon X Program because of what Ross did and was willing to do in THE INCREDIBLE HULK regarding experimentation on soldiers to form weapons. How cool would it be if, after the events of THE INCREDIBLE HULK, Ross was approached by The Weapon X Program? They could give him a little boost in his political career in exchange for the U.S. turning a blind eye to what illegal experimentation they would plan on doing. Seeing no other options, Ross could accept this offer. The Weapon X Program could work quickly after this, making Ross Secretary of State in less than ten years. And once Ross took that seat, The Weapon X Program would begin producing mutant kill-machines without any worry of persecution by the government.

3. Vendetta Against the Hulk

Now let’s take a jump together, to the future of the MCU. Mutants are a known phenomenon. Ross has been Secretary of State for a number of years now. And in this theory, the Weapon X Program would have also been up and running for a number of years. At this point in the MCU, The Weapon X Program could be ready to unleash its greatest weapon yet: Wolverine.

Also, since Ross has proven to be a key asset for them within the government, the Weapon X Program could decide to knock out two birds with one stone. They would need a powerful foe to test out their new weapon and there’s almost no one more powerful than the Hulk. Not to mention the Hulk is Ross’s greatest enemy. They would use the Hulk’s death as a gift for Ross, showing their appreciation for a job well done. They would also see the Hulk’s death as a victory for their program. So the Weapon X Program would track the Hulk and drop Wolverine right on top of him.

4. Tying It All Together

It is also important to include Ross with the behind the scenes aspect of this fight. His inclusion ties the future of the MCU to it’s past. It would also be a really cool way to explain his rise to political power, and Ross’s connection with the Hulk needs to be addressed again. What better way than in a Hulk vs Wolverine movie! Who knows, maybe Ross’s conscience could come through and he could expose the Weapon X program altogether? Maybe Ross sees the horrors of the Weapon X Program as the key to bringing it down? Or maybe Ross gets even more involved in their experimentation and we could have a potential Red Hulk scenario?

This Could Be The Coolest ‘VS.’ Movie Yet

The problem with ‘VS’ movies is that the movie makers have two heroes battling each other over weak disagreements or situations that the heroes could easily work around. Why a potential Hulk vs Wolverine movie would be awesome is because the heroes themselves are not the ones pulling the strings in their own minds. Wolverine could be seen as an operative with the Weapon X Program and has been under their control for years. A systematic wiping of Wolverine’s mind after a mission then sending him on another mission.

We could see Wolverine for the first time in the MCU right after his adamantium surgery. So when we would first see Wolverine, it would be after years of mind wipes and extreme mutilation. And the Hulk, well, Hulk Smash. Especially anyone who challenges him. I mean he fought Thor in THOR: RAGNAROK for almost no reason at all! And they were friends from work!

The Importance Of This Film In The MCU

Wolverine’s introduction into the MCU in this way would be satisfying to fans because they would see a comic accurate adaptation of Wolverine to film and an awesome fight between two absolute powerhouses. And most importantly, their fight would be believable. We know Wolverine, but the Hulk wouldn’t. So when Wolverine would approach him aggressively, their fight would be incredible.

Also, Wolverine wouldn’t be the only thing introduced into the MCU through this movie. We would also be introduced to the Weapon X Program, which would definitely pop up again in the MCU. Overall, this movie would be awesome and I would love to see it be made!