The latest Captain America: Brave New World trailer dropped at D23 Brazil, and it left fans seeing red—literally. The trailer introduces Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, taking on the monstrous mantle of the Red Hulk, a role previously filled by the late William Hurt. But the question on everyone’s mind is, “Since when did he go red?” Ross, once just a U.S. General obsessed with the Hulk, now becomes a power-hungry, crimson-suited villain, ready to take down Sam Wilson’s Captain America (played by Anthony Mackie).
The Evolution of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross: From General to Red Hulk
The MCU’s newest villain, Red Hulk, doesn’t just want to take down Captain America—he wants to destroy everything that stands in his way, including the very institution he’s supposed to protect. The trailer hints at Ross’s terrifying evolution into a savage, rampaging threat, now as dangerous as the Hulk himself. And, of course, no villain is complete without a backup plan—enter Seth Voelker/Sidewinder (played by Giancarlo Esposito) and Samuel Sterns/the Leader (played by Tim Blake Nelson), both of whom are plotting their own chaotic paths to take down Captain America.
The Red Hulk’s Origin: From Military Leader to Gamma-Radiated Monster
For those not up to speed on the full Red Hulk saga, Thaddeus Ross has been a military antagonist for years, obsessing over the Hulk’s power. In the comics, after General Ross’s obsession with the Hulk led to treasonous acts and near-suicide, he found a way to come back as something far more dangerous. Ross’s resurrection involved the Leader, a mad scientist with a brain far bigger than his conscience. The Leader turned Ross into the Red Hulk—a living weapon capable of taking down the Hulk with brutal force.
Ross’s Dark Turn: Revenge and Power Become His Obsession
But Ross’s twisted transformation isn’t just a physical one. It’s deeply personal. After losing Betty Ross (his daughter) to radiation poisoning caused by the Abomination, Ross’s lust for revenge and power intensified, morphing him into a cold-blooded force. As Red Hulk, Ross is no longer just after the Hulk’s power—he wants control. His military past, his connection to MODOK, and his near-death resurrection are all pieces of a puzzle that lead to one shocking result: Ross is no longer just a general. He’s a monster, and he’s ready to tear through Captain America and everything he stands for.
Get ready, because this Brave New World won’t be the same. With Red Hulk on the scene, the stakes just went through the roof. Can Sam Wilson handle the ultimate military might—especially one he used to trust? The battle for the President’s life and the fate of the nation begins. And we’re just getting started. Red Hulk is here to make sure of it.
