The MCU"s Red Hulk Origin Change Just Got Some Undeniable Evidence That Makes An Iconic Marvel Villain Even More Terrifying
Red Hulk has been teased to be the villain of Captain America: Brave New World, but a screenshot from the latest trailer actually complicates this, showing that the real villain of the film will reemerge from the shadows of his previous Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance. The new film seems to make a number of changes to the MCU landscape, and while the new Captain America: Brave New World trailer has revealed much, it seems there is even more that remains hidden. Reviewing Captain America: Brave New World"s cast details show several important characters who are set to appear.
While Marvel has often been faithful to much of the comic lore, many MCU characters are unlike their comic counterparts. For some, this is in design, whereas for others it is in motivations and characteristics. Though the design of Red Hulk in the upcoming film seems true to the comic book source, it seems that much of the character"s backstory has been adjusted. These changes help to inform on some of the more complex, hidden details that are sure to play a major part in the film"s story.
Red Hulk's MCU Origin Has Been Teased For Years Ross Has Been A Part Of The Marvel Universe Since 2008 Close Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, who will become the Red Hulk in the new film, has been a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since his first appearance in The Incredible Hulk. While the late William Hurt previously portrayed the character, Harrison Ford has taken on the recast role in the new film. Following appearances in films like Captain America: Civil War, Ross has proven himself to be a stern and military-minded individual, who has a number of complex issues with superheroes and their powers.
The mystery of Red Hulk"s identity in the comics played out over many issues, but this seems to have been removed in the film, leading directly to questions about how Ross could become Red Hulk. In the comics, this was a change that he decided upon himself. Ross wished to be able to fight the Hulk hand to hand, and participated in turning himself into the iconic villain and one of Hulk"s arch-enemies. However, despite the possibility of this being adapted into the MCU, new details suggest that this origin may not be followed in the new film.
Captain America: Brave New World's Trailer Hints At A Huge Origin Change For Red Hulk Red Hulk's Origin Will Diverge Significantly From The Comics Close A new image from the latest trailer for Brave New World provides a disturbing hint to the character"s trajectory in the film. In a dark room, along with all kinds of pinned up images and articles, a message is etched on the wall: "reset Ross, reset America." While the exact meaning of this can be speculated upon, it seems likely based on its phrasing that Ross being turned into the Red Hulk is not an action taken by Ross himself, but a political move being carried out by someone who opposes him. There is one prime candidate for this: The Leader.
The Leader was introduced in The Incredible Hulk as Samuel Sterns, and is confirmed to appear in the new film, despite barely appearing in any marketing. As one of the Hulk"s most prominent villains in the comics, many expect to see Leader pulling the strings from behind the curtain. Having the villain be behind the transformation of Ross into Red Hulk may be an excellent way to do this. It is clear from the trailer that Ross" transformation is very public, and how this will impact the American people will surely be an integral part of the story.
How The Leader Could Create Red Hulk Samuel Sterns Will Likely Be Behind The Creation Of The Iconic Villain Close In The Incredible Hulk, Samuel Sterns acquired some of Bruce Banner"s blood. He used this for experiments, and it even infected him in a way that has not yet been seen onscreen. Examining what Sterns has done with this blood and his experiments will surely be an important part of the story of the new film. Whatever the plans of the MCU film’s hidden villain are, he has spent over a decade in the MCU working out the science of the Hulk"s blood and finding a way to weaponize it to achieve his goals.
Ross could be a willing participant in this, or his transformation could be against his wishes. Either way, this would demonstrate the danger of Sterns, and - should the "Reset Ross" evidence board indeed prove to be his - showcase his aims. His political goals surely are related to the destruction of Ross, and turning the President into a violent beast in this fashion will likely play a huge part in that. Seeing what else Sterns does with his science and with Hulk blood will also likely contribute to the story of the film in terrifying ways.
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Related Introducing Red Hulk Can Finally Let The MCU Use The Hulk Storyline That We’ve Been Waiting 15 Years For Red Hulk debuts in Captain America: Brave New World and his introduction could finally deliver a story that MCU audiences have wanted to see.
2 Marvel does not always feel the need to be strict with their comic book canon, and it is often to the merit of many of their projects. Changing Ross" transformation into the Red Hulk into a story that better suits the modern climate and the state of the MCU makes sense. As Captain America: Brave New World draws closer to release, additional details of the villain and his plan will likely become more readily available. Whatever the case may be, though, The Leader is sure to be a terrifying and awful force in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Captain America: Brave New World 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.
Director Julius Onah Release Date February 14, 2025 Cast Harrison Ford , Liv Tyler , Giancarlo Esposito , Rosa Salazar , Takehiro Hira , Anthony Mackie , Tim Blake Nelson , Shira Haas , Carl Lumbly , Danny Ramirez , Rachael Markarian , Jacqueline Loucks , Tony Mareno , Zo'Anne Mckinstry , Phuong Kubacki , Colby Lopez , Xosha Roquemore Expand Upcoming MCU Movies![]()
Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025![]()
Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025![]()
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date July 25, 2025![]()
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Release Date May 1, 2026![]()
Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date July 24, 2026![]()
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027
While Marvel has often been faithful to much of the comic lore, many MCU characters are unlike their comic counterparts. For some, this is in design, whereas for others it is in motivations and characteristics. Though the design of Red Hulk in the upcoming film seems true to the comic book source, it seems that much of the character"s backstory has been adjusted. These changes help to inform on some of the more complex, hidden details that are sure to play a major part in the film"s story.
Red Hulk's MCU Origin Has Been Teased For Years Ross Has Been A Part Of The Marvel Universe Since 2008 Close Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, who will become the Red Hulk in the new film, has been a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since his first appearance in The Incredible Hulk. While the late William Hurt previously portrayed the character, Harrison Ford has taken on the recast role in the new film. Following appearances in films like Captain America: Civil War, Ross has proven himself to be a stern and military-minded individual, who has a number of complex issues with superheroes and their powers.
The mystery of Red Hulk"s identity in the comics played out over many issues, but this seems to have been removed in the film, leading directly to questions about how Ross could become Red Hulk. In the comics, this was a change that he decided upon himself. Ross wished to be able to fight the Hulk hand to hand, and participated in turning himself into the iconic villain and one of Hulk"s arch-enemies. However, despite the possibility of this being adapted into the MCU, new details suggest that this origin may not be followed in the new film.
Captain America: Brave New World's Trailer Hints At A Huge Origin Change For Red Hulk Red Hulk's Origin Will Diverge Significantly From The Comics Close A new image from the latest trailer for Brave New World provides a disturbing hint to the character"s trajectory in the film. In a dark room, along with all kinds of pinned up images and articles, a message is etched on the wall: "reset Ross, reset America." While the exact meaning of this can be speculated upon, it seems likely based on its phrasing that Ross being turned into the Red Hulk is not an action taken by Ross himself, but a political move being carried out by someone who opposes him. There is one prime candidate for this: The Leader.
The Leader was introduced in The Incredible Hulk as Samuel Sterns, and is confirmed to appear in the new film, despite barely appearing in any marketing. As one of the Hulk"s most prominent villains in the comics, many expect to see Leader pulling the strings from behind the curtain. Having the villain be behind the transformation of Ross into Red Hulk may be an excellent way to do this. It is clear from the trailer that Ross" transformation is very public, and how this will impact the American people will surely be an integral part of the story.
How The Leader Could Create Red Hulk Samuel Sterns Will Likely Be Behind The Creation Of The Iconic Villain Close In The Incredible Hulk, Samuel Sterns acquired some of Bruce Banner"s blood. He used this for experiments, and it even infected him in a way that has not yet been seen onscreen. Examining what Sterns has done with this blood and his experiments will surely be an important part of the story of the new film. Whatever the plans of the MCU film’s hidden villain are, he has spent over a decade in the MCU working out the science of the Hulk"s blood and finding a way to weaponize it to achieve his goals.
Ross could be a willing participant in this, or his transformation could be against his wishes. Either way, this would demonstrate the danger of Sterns, and - should the "Reset Ross" evidence board indeed prove to be his - showcase his aims. His political goals surely are related to the destruction of Ross, and turning the President into a violent beast in this fashion will likely play a huge part in that. Seeing what else Sterns does with his science and with Hulk blood will also likely contribute to the story of the film in terrifying ways.
Related Introducing Red Hulk Can Finally Let The MCU Use The Hulk Storyline That We’ve Been Waiting 15 Years For Red Hulk debuts in Captain America: Brave New World and his introduction could finally deliver a story that MCU audiences have wanted to see.2 Marvel does not always feel the need to be strict with their comic book canon, and it is often to the merit of many of their projects. Changing Ross" transformation into the Red Hulk into a story that better suits the modern climate and the state of the MCU makes sense. As Captain America: Brave New World draws closer to release, additional details of the villain and his plan will likely become more readily available. Whatever the case may be, though, The Leader is sure to be a terrifying and awful force in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Captain America: Brave New World 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.Director Julius Onah Release Date February 14, 2025 Cast Harrison Ford , Liv Tyler , Giancarlo Esposito , Rosa Salazar , Takehiro Hira , Anthony Mackie , Tim Blake Nelson , Shira Haas , Carl Lumbly , Danny Ramirez , Rachael Markarian , Jacqueline Loucks , Tony Mareno , Zo'Anne Mckinstry , Phuong Kubacki , Colby Lopez , Xosha Roquemore Expand Upcoming MCU Movies
Captain America: Brave New World Release Date February 14, 2025
Thunderbolts* Release Date May 2, 2025
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Release Date July 25, 2025
Avengers: Doomsday (2026) Release Date May 1, 2026
Spider-Man Homecoming 4 Release Date July 24, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars Release Date May 7, 2027
