Summary
Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk has been officially confirmed to appear inCaptain America: Brave New World, continuing a specificMCUvillain trend that is about to get much worse. Marvel Studios recently unveiled the firsttrailer forCaptain America: Brave New World, and with it came the firstofficial look at Red Hulk, President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross' very own Hulk persona. The Red Hulk’s arrival raises a lot of questions - including that of the whereabouts of his typical rival, Hulk, as the last time Thunderbolt Ross took center stage was in Hulk’s first and final solo movie.
The Incredible Hulkintroduced Thunderbolt Ross tothe MCU timeline- at that point portrayed by the late William Hurt - as the Lieutenant General of the United States Army hellbent on using Banner’s powers for the military. Ross has ascended in power himself since then, becoming the Secretary of State where he delivered the pivotal Sokovia Accords inCaptain America: Civil War, and now assuming office as the President of the USA. It is in this role that Thunderbolt Ross has reached the zenith of his power - both politically and physically - and will ostensibly be at his most villainous.
Why Harrison Ford Was Recast As Thunderbolt Ross In The MCU
Harrison Ford has taken over the role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in the MCU, set to make his debut in Captain America: Brave New World.
Red Hulk Is Another Evil MCU Politician
The continued clashes between superheroes and those in positions of power are about to reach a new high with the arrival of Red Hulk asCaptain America: Brave New World’s presidential villain. As President,Thunderbolt Ross is one of the most high-profile politicians with whom an Avenger has been at odds, but he adds to a notably longstanding tradition that extends as far back as the earliest days of the MCU. This is something that began with Senator Stern inIron Man 2and has since become a keystone feature of the MCU’s heroes' extralegal virtues.
Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: Civil War and Black Widow
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Secret Invasion
Captain America: Brave New World
President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross
While Thunderbolt Ross is essentially continuing his antagonistic streak in the MCU, it appears as though his Red Hulk persona will be much harder to sympathize with. He did, after all, ultimately kowtow to Bruce Banner inThe Incredible Hulkand the Sokovia Accords have some moral merit, hence why Team Stark was formed in the first place. What appears to be Red Hulk’s destruction of the White House, however, shows just how far the character has descended. Nevertheless, the worst is yet to come.
While the MCU has a trend of depicting villainous politicians, not all MCU politicians are villainous, with notable examples being T’Challa, President Ellis, and King Valkyrie.
Kingpin Will Crown The MCU’s Political Villain Trend
The finale ofEchosaw Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin eyeing the role of New York Mayor. While this politically pales in comparison to the President of the United States, this overtly villainous character acquiring such power carries far graver implications - particularly if the Marvel Comics story that inspired it is anything to go by.Thaddeus Ross does, after all, appear to have misguidedly good intentions at heart, as demonstrated by the fact that he wishes to reform the Avengers and ostensibly protect his country’s interests.
Kingpin, meanwhile, is set to have far more selfish concerns. It is likely thatDaredevil: Born Againwill see Kingpin cracking down on vigilantism and stirring up sentiment against superheroes as a whole. While Thunderbolt Ross' intentions with the Sokovia Accords intended to regulate superhero activity, Kingpin is more likely to outlaw it altogether with the express purpose of strengthening his own position. Furthermore, he will be even more entrenched as a public political figure, potentially moving him even closer to his own shot at the White House should Ross ultimately relinquish the role afterCaptain 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.
