Captain America: Brave New World’s trailer delivered a teasing glimpse of Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross and his transformation into the MCU’s first appearance of Red Hulk. While this is something that has been known for a while thanks to early merchandising confirming months of rumors, the trailer’s inclusion of the not-so-jolly red giant as its final shot has sparked excitement among fans, and inspired many pieces of fan art based on the character’s arrival.
During the press tour for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ford was asked about his appearance in the first Marvel Studios release of 2025. That conversation swung in the direction of the possible arrival of Red Hulk, to which Ford knowingly replied, “What is the Red Hulk?” From that moment, there was little could convince fans that the movie wouldn’t bring the character to screens over a decade and a half after his comic book debut in Hulk (Vol. 2) #1.
While there is still much being speculated about the purpose of Red Hulk in the upcoming movie, there are many fans questioning whether his introduction will also lead to a big Bruce Banner story to come, and a possible face-off between the two versions of the Hulk in the near future. That is the inspiration behind a stunning piece of artwork from BossLogic, that anticipates a meeting of monsters that surely has to happen.
Who is Red Hulk?
The character of Red Hulk first appeared in 2008, and two years later was revealed to be a persona of General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who was given the ability to become Red Hulk in order to match the might of Bruce Banner’s angry alter ego. Since that appearance, which became part of the “World War Hulks” storyline, the character has also been the monstrous form of Robert Maverick and Joe Fixit. The character also made an appearance in 2015’s Secret Wars story, potentially hinting at his involvement in that upcoming movie.
Captain America: Brave New World is acting as a stealthy sequel to 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, which has been a constant bone of contention thanks to the copyright issues surrounding that early MCU movie and the Hulk’s subsequent appearances in the franchise. As well as Ross, the movie also sees the return of Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Leader, the expected villain of Anthony Mackie’s first feature as the new Cap. Although it has not been confirmed that Mark Ruffalo will put in an appearance as Banner to complete the set, it is certainly not out of the question.
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Many fans have wanted Marvel Studios to bring the World War Hulk storyline to screens in the MCU, but due to Paramount’s hold on the rights to the Hulk, it has been impossible for the character to appear in his own movie without their involvement and approval, hence his secondary character roles in Avengers ensembles, and the likes of Thor: Ragnarok and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. However, with many suggestions that Hulk’s time in copyright limbo is coming to an end, it may be possible that Captain America: Brave New World is quietly setting the stage for something big, green and angry coming down the line.
Additionally, Thaddeus Ross’ transformation in this movie, could well have connotations on another upcoming Marvel movie, Thunderbolts*, which it has been hinted will change its title at some point in the future. Like many other upcoming projects, Marvel has gone back into the secretive mode, but there is high expectation that the studio’s appearance at San Diego Comic-Con at the end of the month will deliver some idea of where the MCU is heading in the coming years following the stumbling blocks faced in the last 12 months.
Captain America: Brave New World
will be released in cinemas on February 14, 2025.