Red Hulk’s Avengers Connection Can Save Him From Most MCU Villains’ Unfortunate Fate

Harrison Ford's Red Hulk frowns at Christian Bale's Gorr and James Spader's Ultron

Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk has enough potential to be a recurring character after his introduction in Captain America: Brave New World, unlike many other MCU villains. Thaddeus Ross’ MCU story took a while to reach its climax. Ross’ journey began in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, was put on hold until 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, and briefly resumed in 2021’s Black Widow before Red Hulk appears on the scene in 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World. In retrospect, Thaddeus Ross’ transformation into Red Hulk may have been inevitable despite Hulk’s lack of a solo movie and Ross’ required recasting following William Hurt’s passing.

Ross sides with the Leader and the Intelligencia to transform into the Red Hulk in the comics, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in Captain America: Brave New World. Instead, Harrison Ford’s President Ross appears to be an involuntary guinea pig for the Leader’s experiments. Ford’s Red Hulk will star in at least one action-packed fight scene with Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, but Captain America: Brave New World‘s real antagonist may be Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns a.k.a. The Leader, though his evil plans haven’t been made clear by the movie’s trailers and promotional material yet.

The MCU Has Wasted Many Villains Throughout The Years

Many MCU Villains Have Had One-Off Appearances Despite Their Potential

Yon-Rogg in the desert in Captain Marvel Malekith with a scarred face in Thor The Dark World Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius using Dark Dimension power in Doctor Strange Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy Christian Bale's Gorr the God Butcher in the Shadow Realm in 2022's Thor Love and Thunder

The MCU has discarded most of its main villains since Phase 1. Antagonists such as Iron Monger, Malekith, Ronan, Yon-Rogg, and Gorr the God Butcher died in the same movie they were introduced, and other villains like Abomination, Red Skull, and Ultron remained absent for several years before Marvel came up with a way to bring them back in smaller roles. Some of these antagonists made a better impression than others, but it’s evident that talented actors like Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, and Christian Bale could have delivered performances as good as Josh Brolin and Tom Hiddleston’s if only the MCU had given them more substantial roles.

Red Hulk Could Become A Hero After Captain America: Brave New World

Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk Could Have A Better Fate Than Other MCU Villains

Red Hulk with the Hulk and the Abomination in the MCUCustom Image by Kai Young

Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk could easily be killed off or imprisoned indefinitely after his first MCU appearance in Captain America: Brave New World. However, Marvel has the chance to continue his story in future movies. In the comics, Red Hulk departs the Intelligencia and leads his own version of the Thunderbolts, and he later redeems himself by joining the Avengers. Red Hulk replaces the original Hulk in Bruce Banner’s absence, and he participates in events as critical as Avengers vs. X-Men. Considering that Red Hulk might not actually be evil in the MCU, he could make up for his loss of control by helping the Avengers in a future battle.

The MCU has kept Hulk as a supporting character for years, and Hulk-adjacent characters like Abomination, Betty Ross, and Doc Samson have been left behind as well. Captain America: Brave New World brings back Thaddeus Ross, Samuel Sterns, and Betty Ross, so it would be natural for them to retain a significant MCU presence afterward. Marvel Studios may not be able to include them in a Hulk-centric movie due to Universal’s ownership of Hulk’s distribution rights, but characters like Red Hulk and the Leader could continue to pop up in future MCU installments and have a long character arc of their own regardless.

Related Posts

SHOCKING EXIT: Jimmy Kimmel Drops Bombshell—‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Ends, He’s Bolting to Canada for Good! 🌟

In a jaw-dropping revelation that has left the entertainment world reeling, late-night TV legend Jimmy Kimmel has announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will officially end on January 20—but that’s not all. Kimmel also…

Patrick Mahomes & Brittany Matthews Share First Close-Up Pic of Their Baby Girl! But Fans Are Shocked by a Strange Condition… 

Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Matthews, have finally shared the first close-up photo of their newborn baby girl, and while the internet was buzzing with excitement, the conversation…

Fox News Shocker: Kennedy Montgomery’s Cryptic Message to Kat Timpf on Gutfeld! Leaves Fans Baffled! 🌟💥

**Kennedy Montgomery Sends Heartfelt Message to Kat Timpf Amid Cancer Battle**In a touching display of camaraderie and support, Fox News star Kennedy Montgomery has stepped in to…

Rihanna WARNS Tyla for Stealing Her Song and Copying Her Look: A Story of Artistic Integrity

The music industry has seen its fair share of feuds, but when a global icon like Rihanna speaks up, the world listens. And this time, the Fenty Beauty mogul and…

Donna Gushes Over Taylor’s iHeartRadio Win—Calls Her ‘My Daughter’ & Jokes Travis Is ‘Naughty’

It’s official—Donna Kelce is all in when it comes to Taylor Swift! The proud mother of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce couldn’t contain her excitement after Taylor’s record-breaking…

KAROLINA PROTSENKO TAKES OVER AMERICA’S GOT TALENT STAGE: From Violin to DANCE—Her Spontaneous Performance Will Leave You SPEECHLESS!

Music fans know Karolina Protsenko as a violin prodigy, mesmerizing crowds with her soulful, emotionally charged performances on the streets and social media. But no one expected…