Harrison Ford’s MCU Role Means Thunderbolt Ross Is Bigger Than Ever – Why?

Harrison Ford being cast as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in the MCU for Captain America: New World Order hints at a massive future for the character, leaving many wondering why, given his scarce MCU history. The character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk in 2008, before going on an eight-year hiatus until his reappearance in Captain America: Civil War. Since then, the character had very minor roles in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, as well as Black Widow. With the passing of William Hurt, who played the character in those films, it was announced that Harrison Ford would be stepping into the role beginning with 2024’s Captain America: New World Order.

This casting choice is interesting, given the dichotomy between Ford’s status as an actor and the unclear role of Thaddeus Ross’ in the future of the MCU. In The Incredible Hulk, Ross was a lieutenant general in the United States Army who became Secretary of State after retiring due to a heart attack. Beginning with Captain America: Civil War, Ross’ role was the primary enforcer of the Sokovia Accords which continued in his previous three appearances. However, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law confirmed the accords have been repealed, meaning Ross seemingly has no future purpose after losing his two prior occupations. The casting of an actor of Ford’s caliber makes this all the more interesting, meaning Marvel Studios clearly have something big planned for Thunderbolt Ross’s MCU future, potentially Red Hulk in an antagonist role.

Thunderbolt Ross’ MCU History Sets Him Up As An Antagonist

In all of Thunderbolt Ross’ previous MCU appearances, he has been an antagonist to the character those movies focused on. In The Incredible Hulk, Ross and Emil Blonsky, who returned in Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings and She-Hulk as Abomination, were hired to take down the Hulk. Captain America: Civil War saw him attempting to arrest Team Cap due to their disavowing of the Sokovia Accords, something that continued in Avengers: Infinity War and Black Widow. His role in Captain America: New World Order then, will likely be as an antagonist as well. This is further supported by the fact that Sam Wilson is now Captain America, someone who was on Steve Rodger’s side during Civil War. It is likely that the two still hold some bad blood, thanks to Sam’s incarceration at the Raft at the hands of Ross, and Wilson’s insubordination against the Accords. Ross clearly has no love for superheroes, especially ones like Sam Wilson, as evident by his roles against the Hulk and his unending support of the Sokovia Accords, meaning an antagonistic role is extremely likely.

Could Thunderbolt Ross Become Red Hulk?

This antagonistic role could finally lead to Red Hulk coming to the MCU. The Intelligencia teases in She-Hulk led many to wrongly theorize that Red Hulk would appear in that show. However, despite that not being the case, the groundwork laid in She-Hulk could lead to this in Captain America: New World Order. Given how the Leader is confirmed to be the villain of Captain America 4, and he was one of the people directly responsible for Ross becoming Red Hulk in the comics, it is all but guaranteed that Ross undergoes this transformation in Captain America: New World Order.

His anger and potential despair at losing both of his previous jobs at the hands of superheroes, with Sam basically directly involved in the Sokovia Accords changes in the MCU thanks to his rebellion against them, could lead to him becoming Red Hulk to exact revenge on Captain America. Ross could be portrayed as extremely depressed due to his lack of future, selling his transformation into Red Hulk even more and explaining Harrison Ford’s casting. Not only would it benefit Captain America: New World Order, but it could directly affect Thunderbolts as well, given Ford and Ross a compelling MCU future.