Warning: This article contains spoilers for Captian America: Brave New World!Marvel Studios has finally debuted its very own Red Hulk, a new villain with ties to the very beginnings of the MCU itself. President Thaddeus Ross eventually completes his transformation into Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, bringing his story full circle from his first appearance in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. With such a powerful, new character added to the MCU, it’s possible that he will continue on beyond Captain America: Brave New World, positioning himself as a formidable foe for anyone to go against in the MCU timeline.
In Captain America: Brave New World, President Ross wants to make Sam Wilson’s role as Captain America an official government position. This leads to significant tensions between Wilson and Ross, especially after members of the President’s inner circle become compromised along with Isiah Bradley, one of the first super soldiers created after Steve Rogers, who tries to kill Ross due to being brainwashed. Alongside that, there are other plans for Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, which eventually leads to him becoming Red Hulk.
Red Hulk’s Marvel Comics History Explained
Created By Intelligencia
In the original Marvel Comics, the origins of the Red Hulk began shortly after the events of World War Hulk where it was revealed that the same satellites used to drain the Hulk of his gamma radiation also collected it to be secretly used by the supervillain thinktank known as Intelligencia, a group who at the time was being run by MODOK and The Leader. Having selected the perfect test subject to serve as their new Red Hulk, it was eventually revealed that Intelligencia had convinced none other than Hulk’s key rival, General “Thunderbolt” Ross, to undergo the procedure.
Ross elected to become that which he’d long been opposed to and had sought to either destroy or control: a gamma-infused Hulk, albeit with red skin.
Knowing that half-measures would never work on someone as dangerous as Banner, Ross always knew that Hulk would come back to Earth even after he’d been banished by the Illuminati. Giving into his years-long obsession over the Hulk, Ross elected to become that which he’d long been opposed to and had sought to either destroy or control: a gamma-infused Hulk, albeit with red skin. However, Ross’ Hulk eventually becomes more of a hero on the page despite his villainous origins that were motivated by a desire to kill Banner.
Why Red Hulk Is Red And Not Green
Siphoned Gamma Radiation (And Heat)
While there’s no direct explanation as to why Ross’ Red Hulk has red skin as opposed to green, there are some contributing factors that support the distinction. Firstly, Red Hulk was created using siphoned gamma radiation rather than being subjected to any kind of pure and more direct source. Additionally, cosmic rays were also used during the transformation process, which may account for the redness as well.
Capable of increasing his internal body temperature to very high degrees based on his rage, greater temps might also account for the red skin.
While it could also just come down to different reactions and unique genetics, it could also be tied to one of Red Hulk’s more unique abilities when compared to Banner’s Hulk. Capable of increasing his internal body temperature to very high degrees based on his rage, greater temps might also account for the red skin. Regardless, it’s also just a cooler and darker color that contrasts quite well with Ross’ primary Marvel rival.
Red Hulk’s Powers Explained
Rivaling Bruce Banner’s Hulk
Ross’ Red Hulk possesses a few critical tactical advantages over Banner’s Hulk in the comics. The first of which is that Ross’ intelligence and personality are maintained despite his transformations, whereas Banner has often had to reconcile with the rage-filled persona that is the Hulk in the comics. While the same was true in the MCU, Banner did figure out how to merge his intelligence with the Hulk’s strength, creating “Smart Hulk” as he’s been known since Avengers: Endgame.
However, many are hoping to see a reversion back to the more classic version of Hulk, though perhaps Ross and Banner will be flipped on-screen where Red Hulk is now the uncontrollable rage monster. At any rate, Red Hulk also has the aforementioned ability to generate intense heat and can also absorb different kinds of energy, a power that’s not limited to just gamma radiation alone.
Red Hulk’s Comics Changes Explained
A New Origin For Ross And The MCU
While the MCU draws from some aspects of Red Hulk’s origins, they are changed significantly in Captain America: Brave New World. Although Ross has primarily been just a general in the comics, Ross has had a few different roles across his various MCU appearances. He did start as a general in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and his next appearance was as the new Secretary of State in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, and 2021’s Black Widow, eventually becoming President of the United States in his latest appearance.
The biggest change to Ross’ transformation into Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World is that he wasn’t a willing participant in becoming the character like he was in Marvel Comics. In fact, he didn’t realize that he would eventually turn into Red Hulk during the events of the film, as he was only trying to prevent himself from dying, but was manipulated by another villain for his own personal gain.
Red Hulk’s Role In Captain America: Brave New World Explained
Manipulated By The Leader
Despite the marketing focusing heavily on President Ross’ transformation into Red Hulk, he isn’t actually the character for most of the film. Essentially, President Ross is dying and Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader saves him from death by giving him pills that are distilled with gamma radiation, with Ross not knowing that. He takes them throughout the film and, through manipulation by the Leader, he is eventually transformed into Red Hulk, squaring off against Captain America in the process.
The Leader had manipulated him for his own gain, eventually unleashing him to cause as much destruction as possible.
Eventually, Sam Wilson is able to get Ross to calm down by using memories of his daughter, and it ends with Ross imprisoned in the Raft, while giving up his position as President of the United States. It turns out that he didn’t purposely become Red Hulk like it was speculated prior to the film, and wasn’t the outright villain in the film. The Leader had manipulated him for his own gain, eventually unleashing him to cause as much destruction as possible.
What’s Next For Red Hulk In The MCU
Ross Could Return In The Future
It’s unclear exactly when (or if) Thaddeus Ross will return to the MCU and become Red Hulk again, but the ending of Captain America: Brave New World opens up possibilities for it to happen. Given that he was essentially manipulated by the Leader to become Red Hulk, he never fully became an outright villain in the film, but that could change if he ever decides to go after Bruce Banner again with his new powers. At the end of the film, he is imprisoned in the Raft, keeping the door open for a return.
He could go different routes. He could fully become a villain, toe the line of antihero in a Thunderbolts* sequel, or appear to help take down the next big threat in Avengers: Doomsday and eventually, Avengers: Secret Wars. There are a lot of story possibilities for the character going forward, and if Harrison Ford wanted to return, it’s certain that Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios would work to make that happen, instead of appearing only 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
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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