Red Hulk's Arrival in the MCU: Was It Really a Surprise?
The MCU's Red Hulk, played by Harrison Ford, has finally been confirmed for Captain America: Brave New World, and while it's a very exciting reveal, it wasn't exactly a surprise. Fans, including myself, have been anticipating Red Hulk's arrival for years, and the clues have been sprinkled throughout the MCU.
Marvel Confirmed Red Hulk Appears In Captain America: Brave New World
The first trailer for Captain America: Brave New World reveals President Ross wanting Captain America to be an official role within the US government. This creates tension between Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America (Anthony Mackie), especially as new threats emerge from within the President's inner circle, likely due to manipulations by Samuel Sterns' The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson). The trailer culminates in an apparent battle between Wilson and Ross, who has transformed into Red Hulk.
Marvel Studios also released a new poster for Captain America: Brave New World. The poster resembles the shield poster from Captain America: Winter Soldier, with the shield in this poster being Sam Wilson's version. However, the shield is being held in the massive hand of the Red Hulk, further confirming Ford's full role in the upcoming Mcu movie.
I Was Right About Marvel Finally Introducing Red Hulk To The MCU
The teases and theories for Red Hulk began in earnest with Thunderbolt Ross' appearance in Black Widow, back when he was still played by the late William Hurt. This brief return was a sign that Marvel had plans to give Ross an ongoing role. The clues and teases for Red Hulk continued, especially after Marvel Studios chose to recast Ross with Harrison Ford, signifying significant plans.
Falcon & The Winter Soldier opened the door for more super soldier serum and variations like Banner's gamma experiments to continue in the Mcu. The initial news of the MCU's imminent Thunderbolts movie also generated theories that "Thunderbolt" Ross could be involved, potentially correcting the bizarre fact in the comics that Ross was not the team's founder despite his shared nickname, while also being the perfect character to create a team of morally questionable members in service to the US government.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law introduced the MCU's version of Intelligencia (the group responsible for creating Red Hulk in the comics). There was also some meta-commentary in the show itself with Tatiana Maslany's Jen Walters specifically calling out Red Hulk fan theories after the group stole her blood. Even though the Red Hulk teases were a red herring in She-Hulk, the clues were still made.
Likewise, the casting and filming of Captain America: Brave New World came with its own teases, such as Harrison Ford on set wearing ripped pants, and crew jackets featuring a red hand holding the shield (just like the new poster). Tim Blake Nelson's return as The Leader was also a major clue, having inadvertently created Emil Blonsky's Abomination in Incredible Hulk alongside Ross. The Leader was also in charge of Intelligencia in the comics and helped create Red Hulk. Even recent McDonald's toys promoting the movie revealed Red Hulk before the trailer, as the movie was originally supposed to be released in May of this year.
Here's What I Hope Red Hulk's Introduction Means For The MCU
I am excited about what Red Hulk means for both Captain America: Brave New World and the future of the MCU. After all, it's been confirmed that the upcoming Thunderbolts team will be put together by Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina, the current director of the CIA in the MCU. This was likely on the orders of President Ross himself, who's always been big on government having enlisted and regulated metahumans. Now, Ross could theoretically lead the team himself as the big red powerhouse he'll soon become in Brave New World.
It's also worth wondering about Bruce Banner. The last appearance of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk was at the very end of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, having returned to Earth following a trip to Sakaar where he introduced his surprise son, Skarr. Now that Ross' Red Hulk has also been confirmed, there's a solid handful of gamma-infused characters in the MCU. Perhaps the time is finally coming for a new Hulk movie in the MCU, especially if Banner's Hulk ends up making an appearance in Brave New World or a Hulk vs Red Hulk fight is teased at the very least.
Captain America: Brave New World is set to release in theaters on February 14th, 2025.
Upcoming MCU Movies
- Release Date: July 26, 2024Movie: Deadpool & Wolverine
- Release Date: February 14, 2025Movie: Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date: May 5, 2025Movie: Thunderbolts
- Release Date: July 25, 2025Movie: The Fantastic Four
- Release Date: November 7, 2025Movie: Blade
- Release Date: May 1, 2026Movie: Avengers 5
- Release Date: May 7, 2027Movie: Avengers: Secret Wars
