Marvel Studios uses its oldest recasting trick when debuting Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in Captain America: Brave New World. Director Julius Onah will mark his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut with Anthony Mackie’s first headlining film as Sam Wilson as he continues his arc as the franchise’s new Star-Spangled Avenger. Mackie’s film will boast an impressive ensemble that is composed of new and familiar faces. However, among everyone in the cast, arguably the most anticipated one is Ford’s debut in the MCU as the new Thunderbolt Ross — a role he takes over from William Hurt.

Recasting isn’t exactly new to the MCU. While the franchise primarily maintains a single continuity, Kevin Feige’s creation has seen its fair share of swapping actors for all sorts of reasons. One of, if not the most prominent example of the phenomenon was Mark Ruffalo replacing Edward Norton as the franchise’s Bruce Banner/Hulk. Recasting hasn’t been that big of a deal in the MCU recently because of the exploration of the multiverse. That said, when it comes to the Sacred Timeline, Marvel Studios still needs to maintain the established canon. So, they still need to be mindful of them.

Harrison Ford’s Ross Recasting Uses Iron Man 2’s Rhodey Trick

Sam Comments On How Different Ford’s Ross Looks In The New Captain America: Brave New World Trailer

After months of waiting, the first Captain America: Brave New World trailer has officially been released. It offers the debut look at Ford’s Ross, who meets Sam early on in the promotional clip. What’s overlooked is the way that the characters first encounter each other and how it’s reminiscent of a particular scene in MCU Phase 1. As Sam greets the new Ross, he comments on how he looks different, which is a meta-comment for the recasting. Ford’s character replies that he was forced to get rid of the mustache — a key aspect of Hurt’s version of the character.

Acknowledging the recasting in Captain America: Brave New World early on is Marvel Studios’ oldest trick when it comes to recasting. It dates back to when Don Cheadle took over the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes from Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2. During the character’s entrance, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark welcomed him with a quizzical look on his face. Before the genius, billionaire Avenger could comment, Cheadle’s Rhodey declared: “Look, it’s me, I’m here, deal with it. Let’s move on.” It’s an effective way to deal with the matter because it gets the issue out of the way.

Why Thaddeus Ross Was Recast With Harrison Ford In The MCU

William Hurt Had Played Ross Since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk

Ford’s recasting as Ross comes from Hurt’s unfortunate passing in 2022 due to prostate cancer. The Kiss Of The Spider Woman actor debuted the role in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk and went on to play the character four more times until his death. His last outing as Ross was in Cate Shortland and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow film which was released in 2021. Now, Ford will take over the role as he grows prominence in the MCU by being the new President of the United States who butt heads with Sam’s Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World.