Thunderbolt Ross Can Be An MCU Mainstay, Even If Harrison Ford Isn’t

While there’s a strong likelihood that Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross will become a major character in the near future of the MCU, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Harrison Ford will be as much of a mainstay. Following the passing of actor William Hurt, it’s been announced that Marvel Studios has recast the role of Secretary Ross with Harrison Ford. However, some interesting comments from Ford explaining why he’s joined the MCU are very telling regarding Ross’ future.

First seen in 2009’s The Incredible Hulk as a primary rival to Bruce Banner, General Ross eventually becomes Secretary of State in Captain America: Civil War, heading the Sokovia Accords, which was enacted to regulate superhuman activity. Having smaller appearances in Avengers: Infinity War and Black Widow, Harrison Ford is now set to continue the role of Thunderbolt Ross in Captain America: New World Order as an antagonist to Sam Wilson. Ross will probably play a role in Thunderbolts as well. That being said, Ford’s MCU work will likely be happening primarily in the next Captain America film despite any future appearances.

Thunderbolt Ross Will Likely Turn Into Red Hulk

It’s certainly odd that Marvel Studios chose to recast the role of Thunderbolt Ross with such a big-name actor, especially considering the limited role Ross has played in the MCU thus far. It would seem that even if the Thunderbolts are indeed named after Ross in the MCU (which they weren’t in the comics), it certainly could have been done with the character being written out in some form. Instead, recasting with Ford carries the heavy implication that Ross will have a much larger role in the MCU going forward beyond Captain America: New World Order.

It stands to reason that Ross will mirror his comics journey and will become the Red Hulk. Interestingly enough, it’s also been confirmed that Tim Blake Nelson will be returning as Samuel Sterns in New World Order, the scientist who helped Banner in The Incredible Hulk, eventually becoming the villain known as the Leader in the comics. He’s also partly responsible for turning Ross into Red Hulk. As such, it seems only a matter of time before Ford’s Ross becomes Red Hulk in the MCU, and it’s probably why Ford took the job in the first place.

How Red Hulk Supports Ford’s Reasons For Taking The Role

On the surface, Ford’s decision to join the MCU in Phase 5 onwards is equally surprising on his end. Famously known for his disinterest in big franchises outside of Indiana Jones, it’s perplexing as to why Ford wanted to join the largest movie franchise ever. However, a comment Ford gave in an interview with The Playlist helps explain why: “Hey, look, I’ve done a lot of things. I now want to do some of the things I haven’t done”. This comment supports an eventual Red Hulk transformation for Ross, seeing as how motion capture is something Ford has yet to do in his impressive film career.

It certainly seems as though Marvel may have cast Ford to license his likeness for the MCU’s Red Hulk in future projects. Obviously, Harrison Ford has done his share of big franchises before, so playing a typical military or government leader wouldn’t be anything new. What would be new is doing motion capture work, allowing Ford to stay in the MCU while mainly doing voice work and facial mocap, helping bring Red Hulk to screen in Captain America: New World Order, Thunderbolts, and beyond.