Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New WorldCaptain America: Brave New World introduces a new character to the MCU who appears to be very similar to a beloved Avenger, with one vibrant difference: Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk. Hulk has been one of the most popular Marvel characters, even long before he appeared in the MCU. The big green angry giant has had numerous shows, movies, and cartoons all created with him at the center, but the MCU has been fairly restricted in what they could do with the character and his ᴀssociated characters due to the Hulk rights being held by Universal Studios.
However, the MCU has been able to introduce some of the related characters in recent years, with She-Hulk, Bruce Banner’s cousin, and Skaar, his secret son (who is yet to return). Now, Captain America: Brave New World pushes things even further, essentially working as a sequel to The Incredible Hulk as much as one to The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. And crucially, the sequel introduces one of the most popular Hulk villains ever created, the Red Hulk. But why exactly does Thunderbolt Ross’ villainous Hulk look the way he does? Why is Red Hulk Red?
Captain America: Brave New World Doesn’t Explain Why Red Hulk Is Red
While Red Hulk’s MCU origin is explained as part of the nefarious plan of The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson), and is achieved through gamma-ray-tainted medication Ross unwittingly takes, there’s no real answer to why it turns him red. Symbolically, red is the color of anger, and Thunderbolt Ross has typically been a rage-filled character, not least in his pursuit of Bruce Banner. That simplistic explanation could suffice, but it’s a strange detail not to explore. Looking elsewhere in the MCU, have been other colored Hulks, though.
The Abomination has a more yellowy hue, Happy Hogan became a purple Hulk in What if…? season 2, and there were plans to bring the Gray Hulk to the MCU (notably in Louis Leterrier’s scrapped sequel to The Incredible Hulk). In the comics, the Hulk rainbow is even more diverse, with yellow, orange, black, blue, and silver among the 11 Hulk variations. And thankfully, the pages of Marvel Comics also offer an explanation for why Red Hulk is Red.
Marvel Comics Explains Why Thunderbolt Ross Turns Red
And It Isn’t Just Because He’s H๏τ-Headed
While both Hulk and Red Hulk have a similar physique, and share several of the same abilities, their biggest difference comes down to the way both characters gained their powers. Bruce Banner was directly exposed to an overwhelming amount of gamma radiation that transformed his body and created the creature known as Hulk. On the other hand, Thaddeus Ross was granted his powers through intentional manipulation of the Hulk’s own gamma irradiated powers.
In the comics, Ross teamed up with the Intelligencia, which consisted of the Leader, M.O.D.O.K., and Doc Samson, in an effort to finally create a rival strong enough to fight the Hulk and win. After subduing the Hulk, the Intelligencia used cosmic rays and special equipment to replicate the Hulk’s powers and transfer them into the body of Ross. This blending of methods diluted the gamma radiation, and resulted in the Red Hulk’s striking skin tone, as well as a few other strengths and weaknesses not present in his rival.
However, while Ross’ transformation resulted in a new Red Hulk, the cause for his desperate act that led to him becoming the Red Hulk was the death of his daughter. Betty’s death sent Ross into a spiral, and led to him joining forces with the villainous Intelligencia, but the MCU skipped all of those details, and the only reference to the Intelligencia came in She-Hulk, where they were able to replicate the Hulk’s powers and create HulkKing, who was also green.
None of this explains the red coloration of Ross’ Red Hulk in the MCU, and cosmic rays are typically ᴀssociated with The Fantastic Four, who have also yet to appear in the MCU ahead of their movie debut in 2025. Captain America: Brave New World’s ending does set up the chance that Red Hulk returns, of course, and it could be that the reasons for his defining difference are explored when he’s given more screen time.
How Red Hulk’s Powers Are Different To Hulk’s
Red Hulk Hits Different
The color difference is not the only thing that sets Red Hulk apart from the big green guy, he also has some distinctly different powers and abilities. Red Hulk has the advantage of being able to transform at will, rather than being driven by his anger like Banner. However, his anger does also have a direct impact on his physique, as it generates mᴀssive amounts of heat on his skin. This heat can be manipulated and transferred through touch, destroying anything he comes in contact with, but it can also cause him to overheat and lose focus.
Thaddeus Ross was granted his powers through intentional manipulation of the Hulk’s own gamma irradiated powers.
In addition, Red Hulk is able to act as a conductor of radiation and many forms of energy. He can absorb mᴀssive amounts of radiation and drain the powers of opponents who use energy attacks. However, he also has some notable weaknesses, which largely stem from overusing his powers. While Ross does not transform back into his human form when being knocked unconscious like Bruce, overusing his abilities will result in Red Hulk reverting to Ross, which was not seen in Captain America: Brave New World.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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May 7, 2027
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