Harrison Ford Suggests That Red Hulk Is Under Someone Else’s Control in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

Harrison Ford is officially joining the MCU as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, taking over the role from the late William Hurt. In this film, Ross will transform into Red Hulk, but the details of how this happens remain unclear. Ford has hinted that Ross’s transformation might not be entirely in his hands.

In an interview with Empire, Ford revealed that Ross is “being controlled” by an unknown force or mechanism, suggesting the transformation isn’t something he willingly chooses. This twist adds depth to Ross’s character, implying he might not be a full-blown villain but instead a pawn in a larger conspiracy, possibly orchestrated by Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader.

In the comics, Red Hulk’s origins involve Gamma radiation experiments led by the Leader and others. While the MCU seems to be taking its own approach, trailers hint at Sterns playing a significant role in controlling Ross’s transformations. This could create a scenario where Captain America’s goal isn’t just to overpower Red Hulk but to break the connection between Ross and the Leader.

The movie also tackles the challenge of pitting Sam Wilson’s Captain America, a hero without superpowers, against the overwhelming strength of Red Hulk. To even the odds, Sam is equipped with vibranium wings crafted in Wakanda. Producer Nate Moore explained that the wingsuit is designed to help Sam survive the fight, but victory isn’t guaranteed.

Visual effects supervisor Dan Cox added that the action scenes were choreographed to highlight Sam’s resourcefulness, using his wings and shield to evade and absorb Red Hulk’s powerful attacks.

Marvel’s creative team faced the challenge of designing a distinct look for Red Hulk while preserving elements of Ross’s personality. Ryan Meinerding, Marvel Studios’ head of visual development, explained that the team focused on giving Red Hulk a military-inspired posture and tactical movements. Although they considered including Ross’s iconic mustache, they ultimately decided on a clean-shaven look.

Director Julius Onah wanted to make sure Red Hulk stood out from the green Hulk, emphasizing his unique character traits. Harrison Ford also contributed to the performance, wearing a motion-capture suit to bring realism to the character’s movements.

Weta Digital incorporated Ford’s facial features, like his eyes and mouth, into the CGI design to maintain a strong connection between the character and the actor. Despite being in his 80s, Ford insisted on doing his own stunts for some scenes, showing his dedication to the role.

The relationship between Sam Wilson and Thaddeus Ross is a key focus of the film. Now the U.S. President, Ross tasks Sam with reassembling the Avengers. However, their collaboration is strained by political and moral differences, with Ross’s transformation into Red Hulk serving as a literal representation of their ideological clash. The film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the responsibility of carrying the American flag as a symbol of unity.

Set to release on February 14, Captain America: Brave New World has a lot riding on its success. Following the massive popularity of Deadpool & Wolverine, this film will test whether the MCU can maintain its momentum. Fans are eager to see how the story of Red Hulk unfolds and how Sam Wilson rises to the challenge.

What are your theories about Red Hulk’s story? Let us know in the comments!