The first trailer for Captain America: Brave New World finally confirmed that Red Hulk will debut in the MCU – but how big is he? While his arrival was heralded by merchandise before the trailer was released, Captain America: Brave New World showed the first glimpse of Red Hulk, removing all doubt about his involvement. Though links between Super Soldiers and Hulk were established early on in Bruce Banner’s MCU timeline, the fact that Red Hulk will debut alongside the return of the Leader in a Captain America solo movie is puzzling nonetheless.
This is because Red Hulk, like the Leader, is one of Hulk’s most iconic and recognizable rivals – not Captain America’s. Nevertheless, ever since Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross was introduced to the MCU as a foil to Bruce Banner, his transformation into Red Hulk was to be expected. Now that he is definitely here – Hulk or no Hulk – it begs the question of just how similar this pair of the MCU’s most powerful characters are.
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Red Hulk Explained: Who Is Captain America: Brave New World’s New Villain
Captain America: Brave New World is set to introduce Red Hulk, a new villain with ties going as far as the very beginning of the entire MCU.
How Big Red Hulk Is In The MCU
There is no official word on Red Hulk’s height after his fleeting appearance at the end of the Captain America: Brave New World trailer. There is one clear way to estimate, however, as he is seen throwing Cap’s shield into the concrete at his feet. Knowing that Anthony Mackie’s Captain America is 5’10” in the MCU, it is safe to assume that the shield is 2’6″ like it is in Marvel Comics, as it nearly covers half of his total body when he carries it.
In the trailer, a halfway-submerged shield covers most of Red Hulk’s calf muscle and can be seen covering around 60%-75% of his lower-half as he throws it down. Given a person’s legs typically comprise half of the body’s total height, it is safe to assume that Red Hulk is around 7-8′ tall, or roughly three shields. This would make sense for the MCU’s Red Hulk as it correlates with the height of Red Hulk in Marvel Comics, who is typically 7′ tall, but brings him closer to his rival.
How Red Hulk’s Size Compares To The Hulk
Hulk and Red Hulk are typically of a similar, if not identical, size in Marvel Comics. With that in mind, there is no real reason for Marvel Studios to break with convention and make one tower over the other in the MCU. Thankfully, Hulk’s height is a lot easier to estimate based on the fact there has been a lot more seen of him in the MCU, especially when standing next to other heroes. Knowing that Steve Rogers is around 6′ tall, for instance, helps place Hulk’s height at around 8′, as he stands about 2′ taller.
It therefore makes sense that Red Hulk will also be closer to 8′ tall. With that being said, Hulk has a history of changing sizes depending on which “version” is present at the time. Smarter versions of the Hulk, like Gray Hulk, tend to stand a little shorter than the “original,” savage Hulk. It is still unclear whether the MCU’s Hulk and Red Hulk will ever come to blows, but if they do, this could put Bruce Banner at a significant disadvantage if he maintains control over the Smart Hulk persona.
Who Would Win In A Fight: Red Hulk Or The Hulk
Regardless of whether Smart Hulk has shrunk, it is quite easy to see that he has gotten physically weaker. Avengers: Endgame made it apparent that he has suppressed his anger, and along with it his powers, as he reluctantly pretended to rampage through New York City during the Time Heist. Not only does Red Hulk also benefit from anger – being able to spout gamma radiation and fire as his rage increases – he also brings a litany of other powers like energy absorption to the table.
Red Hulk has proven stronger than Hulk on numerous occasions in Marvel Comics. While not at full strength, this puts Bruce Banner at a significant disadvantage and seems to suggest that there is only one way for him to stand a chance against this new rage-fueled beast: by giving control back to his own. This could be exactly how Marvel reintroduces the original “savage” Hulk to the MCU as Banner reluctantly gives into his violent alter-ego once more, potentially giving way to the World War Hulk adaptation that everyone has been waiting for.
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers’ successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
- Director
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Julius Onah
- Release Date
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February 14, 2025
- Studio(s)
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Marvel Studios
- Writers
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Dalan Musson
, Malcolm Spellman - Cast
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Anthony Mackie
, Harrison Ford
, Tim Blake Nelson
, Carl Lumby
, Danny Ramirez
, shira haas
Upcoming MCU Movies | Release Date |
---|---|
Deadpool & Wolverine | July 26, 2024 |
Captain America: Brave New World | February 14, 2025 |
Thunderbolts* | May 5, 2025 |
The Fantastic Four | July 25, 2025 |
Blade | November 7, 2025 |
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty | May 1, 2026 |
Avengers: Secret Wars | May 7, 2027 |