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 passing, William Hurt didn't return as Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, however, Harrison Ford was recast in his place.
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Thaddeus Ross' MCU Appearances |
Year |
Played By |
|---|---|---|
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The Incredible Hulk |
2008 |
William Hurt |
|
Captain America: Civil War |
2016 |
William Hurt |
|
Avengers: Infinity War |
2018 |
William Hurt |
|
Avengers: Endgame |
2019 |
William Hurt |
|
Black Widow |
2021 |
William Hurt |
|
Captain America: Brave New World |
2025 |
Harrison Ford |
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.
How Can Thunderbolt Ross Become The MCU's Red Hulk?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seemingly concluded its super soldier serum storyline, which leaves big problems for introducing Red Hulk.
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 entity. 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 Passing
Tragically, William Hurt passed 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 passing, 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.
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This casting was confirmed in October 2022 (via Deadline), 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.
- Release Date
- February 14, 2025
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Julius Onah
- Writers
- Dalan Musson, Malcolm Spellman
- Franchise(s)
- Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
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Sam Wilson / Captain America -
Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross / Red Hulk
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
- July 25, 2025
9 Images
Marvel/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
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