The Red Hulk has officially made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World, following the revelation that Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns had unknowingly been providing him with gamma-irradiated pills, President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross — played by Harrison Ford for the first time following the tragic and untimely passing of William Hurt — transformed into the scarlet-skinned monster when he lost control of his emotions during a press conference. Following a battle with the eponymous Sam Wilson, he reverts to normal and is voluntarily incarcerated at a high-security prison, the Raft, in the Atlantic Ocean. But what might the future hold for his super-strong new alter-ego?
The truth is that it’s a highly open-ended question with endless possible answers. The Red Hulk’s introduction could be the start of something ongoing, but it could all fizzle out to nothing — and both of those scenarios could unfold in several ways. However, we can speculate which ones are the most likely to happen. A Marvel Cinematic Universe with the crimson brute running loose is undoubtedly more interesting.
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Harrison Ford Shares What It Takes To Turn Him Into Red Hulk In Captain America: Brave New World
Harrison Ford recently went on record to break down his Red Hulk transformation in Captain America: Brave New World.
The Red Hulk Could Reemerge In Various Ways
There are many ways Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk could reemerge in the MCU in the future.
The Raft is a robust unit, but it’s never had to hold a Hulk before, so there’s every chance the beast could bust out of his prison and go on the rampage again if Ross loses his cool whilst incarcerated. That’s an even more plausible possibility, considering that Samuel Sterns is also being held there. There’s every chance Sterns could have a contingency plan in place to control Ross and bring out the Red Hulk again — not least because it could help him escape from his own imprisonment.
Of course, given Ross’ military and political oomph (he was the President of the United States in Captain America: Brave New World before his resignation at the movie’s climax), he could have himself released if he believed he could put the Red Hulk to good use. Should that happen, there are many ways he could reemerge in the MCU in the future.
Given Ross’ connection to the eponymous team in Marvel’s comic books (he led a team that included Frank Castle and Abigail Mercy) and the rumors that he’s set to appear in their movie Thunderbolts*, later this year, Red Hulk could reemerge as a member of the MCU Thunderbolts. That curious asterisk in the title is strongly believed to be significant, so perhaps it’s hinting towards them being led by Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross by the time the film ends. If that happens, it’s more than possible Ross could lead the team into battle in his Red Hulk form.
In Captain America: Brave New World, Ross goes against his previous thoughts about the team and encourages Sam Wilson to reform the Avengers. With that in mind, his Red Hulk could join the newly-reformed Avengers in the MCU as the character did in 2010’s Avengers #7 comic. Red Hulk could then join the fight against Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday or reside on Doom’s Battleworld in a Hulk-themed territory in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. Of course, joining a team that may have Bruce Banner’s Hulk on it could create a problematic group dynamic, but it would undoubtedly make for interesting viewing.
However, arguably, the most intriguing likely reemergence of the Red Hulk in the MCU would come in a World War Hulk movie. A film based on the 2007 comic book arc of the same name has been rumored for years but never confirmed. Now that the MCU is filling up with Hulks (Hulk, She-Hulk, Skaar, and Red Hulk), the likelihood of it happening is increasing. Fans of the franchise can do nothing but hope.
Thaddeus Ross Could Be Cured Of His Hulk Problem
Harrison Ford’s character could undergo a treatment that prevents him from ever turning into the Red Hulk again.
Alternatively, the fact Thaddeus Ross opted to be incarcerated in the raft at the climax of Captain America: Brave New World suggests that, for now, at least, he sees the Red Hulk as a problem. With that in mind, he could look for a way to have his condition reversed. Whether that will require a form of treatment or procedure or whether abstaining from his pills will do the trick remains unclear. Regardless of how it would happen, it would likely mean Captain America: Brave New World was the only time we’d see the Red Hulk in the MCU. It would be massively disappointing and a colossal anticlimax for the character.
Considering the above information, the next possible appearance of the Red Hulk could be Thunderbolts* when it hits theaters on May 2, 2025. Fans will be on tenterhooks waiting to see if and when the character makes another appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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