Summary
Like many others, I’ve been pointing out the imminent debut of the MCU’s Red Hulk for years, andCaptain America: Brave New Worldfinally confirmed that Harrison Ford’s Ross will indeed undergo his classic comics' gamma transformation. Although the reveal is very exciting, it’s not exactly a surprise. This is becauseRoss as the MCU’s Red Hulkhas been teased and set up for quite some time.
In the original comics, General “Thunderbolt” Ross joins forces with a villain group known as the Intelligencia to gain his very own gamma powers due to his obsession with Bruce Banner’s Hulk. Becoming Red Hulk, Ross spent time as a villain before he eventually gained better control of his transformations while also retaining his mind, eventually joining both the Thunderbolts and the Avengers. Now,Marvel Studios is preparing to debut its own version as seen in the first trailer forCaptain America: Brave New World, though I’ve known the MCU’s Red Hulk was coming for years now.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
Marvel Confirmed Red Hulk Appears In Captain America: Brave New World
Confirmed In First Trailer And Poster
Having revealedthe first trailer forCaptain America: Brave New World, the movie looks to begin with Harrison Ford’s President Ross wanting Captain America to be an official role within the US government. This creates tensions between Ross and Sam Wilson’s Captain America (Anthony Mackie), especially as new threats emerge seemingly from within the President’s inner circle, most likely due to manipulations by Samuel Sterns' The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) who hasn’t been seen since 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk.However, the end of the new trailer culminates in an apparent battle between Wilson and Ross who has indeed transformed into Red Hulk.
Marvel Studios also released a new poster forCaptain America: Brave New World. Resembling the shield poster from 2014’sCaptain America: Winter Soldier, the shield in this poster is logically Sam Wilson’s version. However, the shield itself is being held in the massive hand of the Red Hulk himself, further confirming Ford’s full role in the upcoming MCU movie. However, there had been plenty of signs and teases for Red Hulk long before this new trailer and poster.
I Was Right About Marvel Finally Introducing Red Hulk To The MCU
Having Been Teased And Set-Up Since 2020
Right when many (including myself) started believing that theMCU was wasting the full potential of Ross as the Hulk’s nemesis, the teases and subsequent theories began in earnest with Thunderbolt Ross' appearance in 2021’sBlack Widow, back when he was still played by the late William Hurt (the MCU’s original General Ross). While brief, Ross' return was a sign that Marvel seemingly had plans to give the general-turned-secretary of state an ongoing role. Likewise,the clues and teases for Red Hulk only continued, especially after Marvel Studios chose to recast with Harrison Ford, signifying that the plans were significant.
2021’sFalcon & The Winter Soldieropened the door for more super soldier serum and variations like Banner’s gamma experiments to continue in the MCU, even after Zemo destroyed a large supply, and the initial news of theMCU’s imminentThunderbolts*moviehas generated theories that “Thunderbolt” Ross could be involved with the MCU likely looking to correct the bizarre fact in the comics that Ross was not the team’s founder despite his shared nickname, while also being the perfect character to create a team of morally questionable members in service to the US government.
2022’sShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawalso introduced theMCU’s version of Intelligencia(the group responsible for creating Red Hulk in the comics). There was also some meta-commentary in the show itself with Tatiana Maslany’s Jen Walters specifically calling out Red Hulk fan theories after the group stole her blood.Even though the Red Hulk teases were a red herring inShe-Hulk, the clues were made nonetheless.
Likewise, the casting and filming ofCaptain America: Brave New Worldcame with its own teases, such asHarrison Ford on set wearing ripped pants, and crew jackets featuring a red hand holding the shield (just like the new poster).Tim Blake Nelson’s return as The Leader was also a major clue, having inadvertently created Emil Blonsky’s Abomination in 2008’sIncredible Hulkalongside Ross. The Leader was also in charge of Intelligencia in the comics and helped create Red Hulk.Even recent McDonald’s toys promoting the movie revealed Red Hulkbefore the trailer, as the movie was originally supposed to be released in May of this year.
Here’s What I Hope Red Hulk’s Introduction Means For The MCU
A Future With The Thunderbolts
Having seen all the signs and teases, I’m very excited about what Red Hulk means not only forCaptain America: Brave New World, but also the future of the MCU as a whole. After all, it’s been confirmed that the upcoming Thunderbolts team will be put together byJulia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina, the current director of the CIA in the MCU. This was likely on the orders of President Ross himself who’s always been big on government having enlisted and regulated metahumans. Now,Ross could theoretically lead the team himself as the big red powerhouse he’ll soon become inBrave New World.
One also has to wonder about the Bruce Banner of it all. The last appearance of Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk was at the very end ofShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, having returned to Earth following a trip to Sakaar where he introduced his surprise son, Skarr.Now that Ross' Red Hulk has also been confirmed, there’s now a solid handful of gamma-infused characters in the MCU.Perhaps the time is finally coming for a newHulkmovie in the MCU, especially if Banner’s Hulk ends up making an appearance inBrave New Worldor a Hulk vs Red Hulk fight is teased at the very least.
Captain America: Brave New Worldis set to release in theaters on February 14th, 2025
Captain America: Brave New World
Cast
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
