6 MCU Characters Hercules Could Fight If His Thor Battle Doesn’t Happen

If it were necessary, multiple MCU characters could stand in for Thor when Hercules returns to the MCU. Arguably the biggest promise attached to Hercules’ MCU debut involves a showdown with the God of Thunder. Thor: Love and Thunder’s post-credits scene made it abundantly clear that the two MCU gods are on a collision course.

Zeus sending Hercules on a mission to take down Thor contrasts a bit with the comics, but the characters being at odds with each other is not an invention of the MCU by any means. The two share a storied rivalry, complete with numerous grudge matches. Phase 4 created the expectation that Thor vs. Hercules will happen in the MCU, but uncertainties regarding Chris Hemsworth’s future in Marvel’s movies open the door to the possibility that the two won’t actually fight. But since Hercules is MCU canon now, it’s likely that his role won’t depend solely on Hemsworth’s tenure as Thor. After all, there are other MCU characters capable of going toe-to-toe with him.

6 She-Hulk

With Hercules and She-Hulk both being counted as candidates for Avengers membership in MCU Phase 6, a situation where the two fight shouldn’t be ruled out. Adding credence to this notion is the fact that She-Hulk and Hercules boast a deep connection in Marvel Comics. The two were teammates – and occasional lovers – in the pages of The Avengers, with the majority of their shared adventures stemming from the 1980s. If Marvel adapted their relationship, there’s a good chance that at least one on-screen fight would be in the cards, especially since they’re both MCU powerhouses.

5 Abomination

On top of being known as the Hulk’s archenemy, Abomination has a reputation for fighting other Marvel Comics superheroes. She-Hulk, Wonder Man, and even Hawkeye have been his opponents at some point or another. He also engaged in a brief fight with Hercules in 2005’s Hercules #3. In a modern-day take on his seventh of 12 labors from Greek mythology, Hercules fought Abomination and disposed of him with a lamppost. It’s possible that the MCU’s Abomination would put up a better fight, though. His battle with the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk proves he can be a force to be reckoned with. If handled correctly, Abomination could be a fitting adversary for him in a Hercules Disney+ series or a World War Hulk crossover movie.

4 Captain Marvel

Once described as the strongest hero in the MCU, Captain Marvel wouldn’t be the obvious favorite in a fight with Hercules. Thor fighting Carol to a tie in Marvel’s What If…? is a sign of the struggles she’d face battling Hercules, who has long been considered Thor’s equal in combat. Hercules is certainly strong enough to challenge her – if not beat her outright. In the Civil War II crossover event, an entire team of Avengers tried and failed to rein in a rampaging Hercules. Carol herself even admitted that Hercules was “pretty much unstoppable.”

Not being able to fly could put Hercules at a disadvantage, but he can compensate for it with sheer, raw power. With Hercules’ strength, he and Captain Marvel have the potential to deliver an exciting MCU throwdown. And since Hercules has yet to become a full-fledged superhero, his character coming to blows with an Avenger isn’t out of the question. Their fight could be a precursor to Hercules joining the Avengers and helping Earth’s Mightiest Heroes beat the Council of Kangs in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

3 Adam Warlock

A lesser-known Marvel Comics battle from the 1990s could easily play out in live-action after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Thor: Love and Thunder. In Adam Warlock and the Infinity Watch #27, a mind-controlled Hercules got into a no-holds-barred fight with Adam Warlock, a hero who rarely loses fights. But against the Lion of Olympus, Adam was hard-pressed to win. He held his own long enough to make for a thrilling battle, but was ultimately worn down by Hercules’ might. Such a battle could happen in the MCU if both return in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty or Avengers: Secret Wars.

2 Namor the Sub-Mariner

Thanks to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the MCU has a character who could easily substitute for Thor in Hercules’ next MCU appearance. Decades of comic history have yielded dozens of epic Hercules fights, a few of which being against Namor the Sub-Mariner. Facing off for the first time in Avengers #40, Hercules and Namor are nearly evenly matched, hence why their pairing could culminate in a brutal MCU slugfest that could make up for the MCU’s Thor vs. Hercules fight not happening.

If the two appear in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, a fight between Hercules and Namor would seem inevitable. As incredibly powerful characters, both have massive egos that would be sure to cause problems – even if Kang’s presence gives them a common enemy. What’s more, their conflicting personalities would be a boon to their dynamic. Namor has a serious and ruthless demeanor, whereas Hercules, who can be prone to laziness, has a humorous side to him. Leaning on these differences can make Namor vs. Hercules a fun fight for the MCU to explore.

1 Hulk

If Thor doesn’t return and fight Hercules, the MCU should consider turning its attention to the Prince of Power’s second-greatest rival: the Hulk. The comics have seen these two heavyweights clash on multiple occasions, with Hulk and Hercules wreaking havoc wherever they go. Looking at the trouble Thor has given the Green Goliath, it’s no surprise that his Greek counterpart has what it takes to push him to his limit and provide page after page of action. Similar to how Thor: Ragnarok took Thor and Hulk’s comic battles to the big screen, Marvel could do justice to Hercules vs. Hulk if an opportunity were to present itself.

Of course, such a fight wouldn’t be that exciting if it happened now. Traditionally, Hulk’s anger makes him stronger, and it’s those power-ups that give him a chance against Hercules. Smart Hulk, on the other hand, doesn’t benefit from this aspect of the character. With that in mind, Brett Goldstein’s character would probably beat Smart Hulk handily. The only way for a proper version of Hulk vs. Hercules to work in the MCU is if Marvel restores the original Hulk persona. With theories of a World War Hulk movie persisting, that scenario could very well be on the table.