Some intense superhero melees have already played out on screen, the most prominent being Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War (which features a whole slew of heroes fighting, but is ultimately about Iron Man vs. Captain America). Yet aside from animated renditions of their eternal rivalry, Wolverine and the Hulk still haven't exchanged cinematic blows. Originally, this was because the X-Men existed in a separate movie universe than the Hulk, but since Disney's acquisition of Fox and full control over the Hulk franchise, anticipation and expectations have been building for the MCU to stage this battle once and for all.
It's not quite as simple as that. First and foremost, there's the issue of Hugh Jackman not planning to return to the role of Wolverine. He very much enjoyed his time slashing up the screen, but Jackman is more or less committed to sheathing his claws.
That doesn't inherently mean all hope is lost. Both Jackman and Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo have expressed interest in a film exclusively about a conflict between their respective characters. The former speaks purely from the perspective of an outsider, but Ruffalo is still the Hulk; he thinks such a film could both have the long-awaited fight and provide more backstory for the Hulk than he's gotten so far.
Once a new actor for Wolverine is chosen, though, how exactly will the battle come about? There are as many comics storylines from which to draw as there are stars in the sky, so it's a matter of choosing and adapting the ones best suited for an introductory bout. The Incredible Hulk #181 certainly works, though something like Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk would likely require an R rating, which Disney may be reluctant to greenlight. Deadpool knows all about that struggle.
Whenever and however it happens, it seems almost inevitable that it will happen. And who knows? Their rivalry may even be established over a series of multiple films. The MCU's had personalities clash before, and it can certainly be done again.
