Now that the Disney and Fox deal has been finalized, Fantastic Four actor Michael Chiklis has expressed an interest in reprising his role as the Thing, but this time as a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The fans who have wanted the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers to co-exist in the same universe may finally get their wish now that Fox has sold its movie and TV assets to Disney. Some, such as Ryan Reynolds, have expressed concern over how the move will affect R-rated films like Deadpool 2. However, others are much more excited over the prospect of several flagship Marvel characters making their debut in the MCU.  Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige is reportedly "eager" to get his hands on the X-Men in particular. The move also opens the door for the MCU to introduce many iconic heroes and villains that have so far been neglected due to rights issues.

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Actor Michael Chiklis, who played the Thing in Fox's first two Fantastic Four films, appears to see the deal as an opportunity to get into the MCU. Chiklis tweeted an image of Thing punching the Hulk along with the question, "Could it be clobberin time?"

The rights issues that have persisted throughout the ten-year history of the MCU has kept the films from bringing several fan-favorite relationships to the big screen. One of the oldest and most bitter rivalries in Marvel Comics is of course the Hulk and the Thing, which began all the way back in Fantastic Four #12 in 1963. The epic showdowns between the two are consistently touted by fans as some of the greatest comic book battles of all-time.

Though it may be a long time before this matchup actually happens on the big screen in the MCU, it's not outside the realm of possibility anymore. At first, there were reports that the deal between Fox and Disney would not include the Fantastic Four, but these claims have been refuted by an official press release from Disney. Specifically, the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool were part of the Disney/Fox merger.

If and when Marvel decides to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU, it's unlikely that Chiklis will be cast as the Thing, due to the confusion it could cause. Fans can expect Marvel to cast actors who are completely new to the Fantastic Four property. Either way, a battle between the Hulk and the Thing is finally a possibility.

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Source: Michael Chiklis