Anthony Mackie’s Captain America four address Harrison Ford’s lack of mustache for Thaddeus Ross role.

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is slated to take on a new mantle, in an even bigger capacity, in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Starring as the new Captain America of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mackie looks good as always with the Vibranium shield and a new suit.

Anthony Mackie in a still from Falcon and The Winter Soldier as the new Captain America
Yet it is Harrison Ford who takes away the spotlight as Thaddeus Ross. Replacing the late actor William Hurt as the character, this will be the Indiana Jones star’s first outing as Ross. Now a president, the movie makes a subtle reference to Ford replacing Hurt.

Captain America 4 Makes a Meta Reference to Harrison Ford Replacing William Hurt

Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford is Marvel’s new Thaddeus Ross
William Hurt was among his generation’s brightest of actors. Having won countless accolades including an Oscar, BAFTA, and much more, the actor has massively contributed to the film industry and the art of acting. Yet most would remember him by his role as Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Starting from the 2008 Incredible Hulk movie starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, the late actor has portrayed the character several times until his eventual unfortunate passing in 2022 due to complications related to prostate cancer. And Marvel Studios instead of killing off such an integral character, have had Harrison Ford replace him.

Despite the acting caliber of Ford, it is not as easy to have an actor replaced. Yet Anthony Mackie‘s upcoming MCU outing has found a clever way of addressing the change. In the first footage from the movie, screened at the Colosseum at Caesar Palace on recent Thursday’s ComicCon, Sam Wilson greets the now President of the United States aka Ross and this is how it goes (via X),

Wilson/Captain America: “I have to admit, I’m still not used to the new look.”

Ross: “Me either. They said lose the mustache or lose the election.”

A clear meta-reference, the lines also address the change in the appearance of the character by blaming it on the change in facial hair. While it is a nice little reference to the late actor, fans don’t seem particularly too happy. Yet there was once a time when William Hurt was afraid that his iconic mustache would have upstaged him.

William Hurt was Not Keen on getting Thaddeus Ross’s iconic Mustache

William Hurt’s trademark mustache for Thaddeus Ross
While Harrison Ford‘s version of Thaddeus Ross might not have a mustache, William Hurt spotted the iconic look in all of his Marvel outings. Over time, the facial hair has become synonymous with the character’s appearance, thanks to its comic book iteration also sporting the look.

A symbol of manliness and suave sophistication, the mustache was once a point of debate between the late actor Hurt and the Incredible Hulk’s director, Louis Leterrier. Hurt was worried his looks for the character would upstage his talent and had many discussions with the director over the size of the mustache.

“He also didn’t want the mustache to act him out… Just the size of the mustache was a discussion.”

Stated Leterrier in an interview with Happy Sad Confused’s WATCHALONG. While some fans are mad over Ford’s lack of facial hair for the character, others seem to have spun a whole new issue out of the tale by questioning why a white character was recast and a black character (T’Challa) was killed off (see X).

Meanwhile, Captain America: Brave New World will be released on February 14, 2025.