Summary
Thunderbolt Ross is theMCU’s new President of the United States inCaptain America: Brave New World, and his first act could be canceling one of Marvel’s worst storylines. Ross has had a consistent presence inthe MCU timelinesince his debut in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk. The character returned inCaptain America: Civil War, and was one of the leading government figures who hunted the Avengers members who defied the Sokovia Accords. InCaptain America: Brave New World, Ross has his most powerful position yet as the newly-elected U.S. President.
While this position may not last past this film after he transforms intothe MCU Red Hulk, Ross' administration could get plenty done during its tenure, however long it may be. There are plenty of problems to deal with, likethe celestial sticking out of the Earthand the impending collapse of the multiverse, but there’s another issue that President Ross should take care of first.Secret Invasionintroduced one of Marvel’s nonsensical storylines during its ending, and Ross can quickly reverse this decision.
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.
Thunderbolt Ross Can Throw Out President Ritson’s Anti-Alien Bill From Secret Invasion
Secret Invasionfeatured an army of rogue Skrulls trying to maneuver their way into the highest forms of U.S. government. The Skrull faction wanted to start a war between the U.S. and Russia, leading to a nuclear fallout that they could survive and humans could not. After the group’s plans were stopped, President Ritson was shocked to learn how far the Skrull conspiracy went and decided to take drastic action. He announced a bill that designated all off-world-born species as enemy combatants and declared war on the Skrulls, leading to many assassinations of humans and Skrulls alike.
Ritson’s bill has potentially massive implications for the MCU, but it doesn’t make sense. The rogue squad of Skrulls was hostile, butcharacters like Thor, Valkyrie, and the Guardians of the Galaxy are well-known intergalactic beings that are friends to humanity. Ross knows this through his interactions with the Avengers, so he could quickly get rid of this bill once he’s sworn into office. He tells Captain America in the trailer that he wants to “show the world a better way forward,” and this could be the first step to doing that.
Marvel Already Ignored The Events Of Secret Invasion In The Marvels
The Marvelsreleased shortly afterSecret Invasion, but anyone who missed the show would not have known it. Despite the Skrulls' close ties to Captain Marvel,The Marvelsdidn’t address any of the show’s events. Nick Fury doesn’t seem like the hardened character who left Earth with his wife, and the movie never addresses the bill passed by President Ritson. When Valkyrie takes the Skrulls to New Asgard, the film either completely ignores the bill or forgets about it.
This also created a plot hole forSecret Invasion,because if the Skrulls were welcome in New Asgard, it raises the question of why Nick Fury wouldn’t send them that way.Secret Invasionwas a tumultous series, and many MCU viewers wouldn’t be upset if its events had little impact on the MCU. As such, President Ross throwing Ritson’s bill out inCaptain America: Brave New Worldwould be an excellent way of moving on fromSecret Invasionin a way that still makes sense.
