Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross returns to the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World, his largest role yet. Ross has an interesting MCU arc that has largely happened offscreen. He debuted as General Ross in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk and returns as the Secretary of State in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. After the events of that film, Ross led the hunt for the Avengers who violated the Sokovia Accords, making brief appearances in Black Widow and Avengers: Infinity War.

Thunderbolt has his most powerful MCU role in Brave New World as the newly elected President of the United States. Ross has done many things, right and wrong, during his military tenure, earning him several illustrious nicknames. He’s best known as Thunderbolt and there’s a history behind this nickname in Marvel Comics. However, there’s another nickname he’s called in Brave New World, which is much less flattering and backfires on him in a brutal hit of irony.

How Thunderbolt Ross Gets His Nickname In Marvel Comics

In Marvel Comics, Ross’ military history dates back to his childhood. He grew up in the 1950s and had a strong family connection to the military. Many of his relatives had fought in previous wars, such as the American Civil War and World War I. His father spent most of his time in the army, but would tell him stories of his acts of heroism abroad. After his father’s death, Thaddeus was inspired to join the military and enlisted once he was of age.

He quickly rose up the ranks, becoming a Captain and earning the nickname “Thunderbolt” during a fight in the South Pacific for his tendency to strike like thunder. He continued his military climb, becoming a major, a lieutenant, and, eventually, a general. During his time as general, he was ᴀssigned to build a gamma bomb, recruiting a scientist named Bruce Banner. Unsurprisingly, the experiment went wrong. Banner was soaked with gamma radiation, turning him into a green, rage monster, and the rest is history.

MCU Ross’s “Thunderbolt” Is Never Explained (But He’s Given Another Nickname)

President Ross is referred to as “Thunderbolt” in Captain America: Brave New World, but his MCU nickname has never been explained. It’s a cool nickname that adds to his legendary military status, but it’s never been addressed, even in The Incredible Hulk. However, he’s also called “Hulk Hunter,” a more scathing indictment of his legacy. In the MCU, Ross’ work with gamma radiation was intended to recreate the super soldier serum. After the experiment went wrong, Ross led the hunt for Bruce Banner with a mission of weaponizing the Hulk.

This hunt was a mᴀssive misstep in his career, leading to the Abomination’s battle with the Hulk that destroyed part of New York City and a strained relationship with his daughter, Betty. “Hulk Hunter” is used as an insult in Brave New World, and it looks even worse once he transforms into the Red Hulk. His legacy haunts him, and it’s an essential part of his character arc in the film. It’s still unclear why he’s called “Thunderbolt” by the end of Captain America: Brave New World, or how it connects to the Thunderbolts* movie, but “Hulk Hunter” is very relevant.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

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  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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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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