Marvel Studios has finally debuted its very own Red Hulk, a new villain with ties to the very beginnings of the MCU itself. First appearing in the initial trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, Red Hulk emerges facing Sam Wilson’s Captain America (Anthony Mackie) as an exciting final shot. However, Red Hulk (and his true identity) is set to have a major role in the entire film and likely in the MCU’s future as well.

In the first trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, President Ross (Harrison Ford) wants to make Wilson’s role as Captain America an official government position. This leads to significant tensions between Wilson and Ross, especially after members within the President’s inner circle become compromised along with Isiah Bradley, one of the first super soldiers created after Steve Rogers who tries to kill Ross due to some kind of brainwashing. However, the trailer culminates in a showdown between Sam Wilson and Ross as the fearsome Red Hulk. Here’s everything to know about Red Hulk, his comics history, and MCU role in Brave New World.

Red Hulk’s Marvel Comics History Explained

Created By Intelligencia

In the original Marvel Comics, the origins of the Red Hulk began shortly after the events of World War Hulk where it was revealed that the same satellites used to drain the Hulk of his gamma radiation also collected the radiation to be secretly used by the supervillain thinktank known as Intelligencia, a group who at the time was being run by MODOK and The Leader. Having selected the perfect test subject to serve as their new Red Hulk, it was eventually revealed that Intelligencia had convinced none other than Hulk’s key rival General “Thunderbolt” Ross to undergo the procedure.

Knowing that half-measures would never work on someone as dangerous as Banner, Ross always knew that Hulk would come back to Earth even after he’d been banished by the Illuminati. Giving into his years-long obsession over the Hulk, Ross elected to become that which he’d long been opposed to and had sought to either destroy or control: a gamma-infused Hulk, albeit with red skin. However, Ross’ Hulk eventually becomes more of a hero on the page despite his villainous origins that were motivated by a desire to kill Banner.

Why Red Hulk Is Red And Not Green

Siphoned Gamma Radiation (And Heat)

While there’s no direct explanation as to why Ross’ Red Hulk has red skin as opposed to green, there are some contributing factors that support the distinction. Firstly, Red Hulk was created using siphoned gamma radiation rather than being subjected to any kind of pure and more direct source. Additionally, cosmic rays were also used during the transformation process, which may account for the redness as well.

While it could also just come down to different reactions and unique genetics, it could also be tied to one of Red Hulk’s more unique abilities when compared to Banner’s Hulk. Capable of increasing his internal body temperature to very high degrees based on his rage, greater temps might also account for the red skin. Regardless, it’s also just a cooler and darker color that contrasts quite well with Ross’ primary Marvel rival.

Red Hulk’s Powers Explained

Rivaling Bruce Banner’s Hulk

Ross’ Hulk possesses a few critical tactical advantages over Banner’s Hulk in the comics. The first of which is that Ross’ intelligence and personality are maintained despite his transformations, whereas Banner has often had to reconcile with the rage-filled persona that is the Hulk in the comics. While the same was true in the MCU, Banner did figure out how to merge his intelligence with the Hulk’s strength, creating “Smart Hulk” as he’s been known since Avengers: Endgame.

However, many are hoping to see a reversion back to the more classic version of Hulk, though perhaps Ross and Banner will be flipped on-screen where Red Hulk is now the uncontrollable rage monster. At any rate, Red Hulk also has the aforementioned ability to generate intense heat and can also absorb different kinds of energy, a power that’s not limited to just gamma radiation alone. That said, it’s not yet clear if the MCU’s Red Hulk will have these same powers on-screen.

Red Hulk’s Comics Changes Explained

A New Origin For Ross And The MCU

As far as any changes between the Red Hulk of the comics and the one that will debut in Captain America: Brave New World, the known change is the origins and the differences in Ross’ career in the MCU. Although Ross has primarily been just a general in the comics, Ross has had a few different roles across his various MCU appearances. Although he did start as a general in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, his next appearance was as the new Secretary of State in 2016’s Captain America: Civil Wars, 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, and 2021’s Black Widow.

All of those previous MCU appearances involved Ross attempting to enforce government oversight over the Avengers and its members under the Sokovia Accords. Now, it looks as though Ross is the newest President of the United States following Secret Invasion’s President Ritson. Having such a major position of authority, the eventual reveal of Ross as Red Hulk should prove to be fascinating, as well as how the world will react to a Hulk in the White House.

Red Hulk’s Role In Captain America: Brave New World Explained

Controlled By The Leader?

Considering the massive amounts of destruction to the White House seen at the end of Brave New World’s trailer, it certainly seems as though Ross won’t exactly be in his right mind as Red Hulk. To that end, one could likely trace the source of his new Red Hulk transformations and some potential mind manipulation back to The Leader (Tim Black Nelson) who’s also confirmed to be a primary antagonist in the movie. Samuel Sterns’ Leader hasn’t been seen since he and Ross inadvertently created The Abomination in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.

Seeing as how The Leader and Intelligencia were behind Red Hulk’s creation in the comics, the same could very well be true in the MCU as well. Likewise, it would also make sense if The Leader was behind the aforementioned brainwashing seen in the trailer as well. At any rate, a major fight between Red Hulk and Captain America would certainly be an exciting way to debut the new character before eventually setting him up as more of an antihero type (especially with Marvel’s Thunderbolts* right around the corner).

Captain America: Brave New World is set to release in theaters on February 14th, 2025