Warning: This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.Harrison Ford made his MCU debut in Captain America: Brave New World as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, the new President of the United States. After the successful run of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2021, Anthony Mackie was confirmed to be returning to the big screen as Sam Wilson’s Captain America. Without any innate superhuman gifts, Phase 5’s Captain America: Brave New World was always going to be more of a smaller-scale, espionage-style movie, akin to The Winter Soldier, which necessitated the need for a beloved human villain.

Enter Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a minor MCU antagonist – more of a thorn in the side – who first posed a threat to Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk, before becoming a government figure and helping to implement the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War. Ross was previously portrayed by the incomparable William Hurt, who appeared in a total of five MCU movies over 13 years. Given his pᴀssing, William Hurt didn’t return as Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, however, Harrison Ford was recast in his place.

Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk Story Explained

He Didn’t Purposely Become The Red Hulk

Thaddeus Ross first appeared in The Incredible Hulk as an antagonist to Bruce Banner alongside Tim Roth’s Abomination. When Mark Ruffalo replaced Edward Norton as Banner for The Avengers, it was unclear how much the MCU wanted to glean from The Incredible Hulk, steering clear of ever really mentioning the events of the film.

It wasn’t until Captain America: Civil War that Thaddeus Ross returned to another Marvel movie, eight years after his last appearance. Ross’ role in the movie saw him acting as an upholder of the Sokovia Accords, arresting most of Captain America’s team after their clash with Iron Man’s hero group. He appeared a few other times before taking up what is his most prominent role yet in Captain America: Brave New World.

Thaddeus Ross has essentially been a villain for every appearance he has had in the MCU, and with him eventually turning into Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, he became even more of a threat than ever before. This raises questions, though, about why Thaddeus Ross became the Red Hulk in the film. He has been explicitly tied to Hulk since the beginning of the MCU, hunting him down as well as trying to help oversee the Avengers as a government enтιтy. Why would he want to become the very thing he was so set on destroying?

This isn’t actually the case in Captain America: Brave New World, as Thaddeus Ross didn’t purposely become Red Hulk in the film. Instead, he was dying and Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader saved his life by giving him pills that were distilled with gamma radiation. They build up in his body and as the Leader embraces his villain persona, he manipulates President Ross into eventually hulking out and becoming Red Hulk, making him more of a tragic character than an outright villain at this point in the MCU.

Why Harrison Ford Plays Thunderbolt Ross (& Red Hulk) In Captain America: Brave New World

He Replaced William Hurt After The Actor’s Tragic Pᴀssing

Tragically, William Hurt pᴀssed away in March 2022 following a short battle with prostate cancer. This was a huge loss for the MCU, given the fact that Hurt had portrayed Thaddeus Ross for many years. Production on Captain America: Brave New World had already begun at the time of Hurt’s pᴀssing, and since Ross was expected to have a much larger role in the movie than his previous brief appearances, the character needed to be recast. While one legend had been lost, Marvel Studios hired another legend in his place, hiring Harrison Ford as a recast Thaddeus Ross.

This casting was confirmed in October 2022 (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline), allowing Harrison Ford to star alongside Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez in the film. Captain America: Brave New World’s first teaser trailer provided the first proper look at Harrison Ford’s Ross, who had been elected President of the United States by the time of Captain America: Brave New World. Given the caliber of actor Harrison Ford is, he does an admirable job taking over the role of Thaddeus Ross in the film.

Harrison Ford Revealed Why He Joined The MCU

He Noticed Other MCU Actors Having A Good Time

During a February 2023 discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Harrison Ford revealed exactly why he wanted to take on a role in the MCU. Ford noted that “everybody else seems to be having a great time,” so his FOMO might have been the biggest draw for the MCU’s Captain America: Brave New World. While it was a shame to lose William Hurt’s captivating presence in the MCU, Harrison Ford did incredible, carrying on the legacy of the chracter while taking him in a new direction.

I don’t know. I can’t explain myself to myself, I just work here. (Laughs.) I thought, “Everybody else seems to be having a great time.” I watch all these terrific actors having a good time [in Marvel movies]. I like doing something different to what I’ve ever done and pleasing people with it. So I’ll try a piece of that.

Thaddeus Ross & Red Hulk’s Future In The MCU

Brave New World Leaves Things Open For Hm To Return

Captain America: Brave New World ends with Ross imprisoned in the Raft after turning into the Red Hulk. He has given up his position as President of the United States, but it seems like there is still a chance for him to return to the MCU at some point. With the Leader being the one who manipulated him, making Ross not necessarily the villain of Captain America: Brave New World, there is still a chance for him to embrace a villain persona later down the line, especially if he wants to use his new powers to go after and finally take down Bruce Banner.

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