Red Hulk Continues A Weirdly Specific MCU Villain Trend (& It"s Only Going To Get Worse)

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Summary

Red Hulk confirmed to appear in Captain America: Brave New World, continuing trend of villainous politicians in the MCU.
Thunderbolt Ross reaches new heights of power and villainy as President, setting the stage for a more dangerous Red Hulk persona.
Kingpin's rise to power as NYC Mayor poses grave implications, with potential to outlaw superhero activity and strengthen his position.

Harrison Ford's Red Hulk has been officially confirmed to appear in Captain America: Brave New World, continuing a specific MCU villain trend that is about to get much worse. Marvel Studios recently unveiled the first trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, and with it came the first official look at Red Hulk, President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross' very own Hulk persona. The Red Hulk's arrival raises a lot of questions - including that of the whereabouts of his typical rival, Hulk, as the last time Thunderbolt Ross took center stage was in Hulk's first and final solo movie.
The Incredible Hulk introduced Thunderbolt Ross to the MCU timeline - at that point portrayed by the late William Hurt - as the Lieutenant General of the United States Army hellbent on using Banner's powers for the military. Ross has ascended in power himself since then, becoming the Secretary of State where he delivered the pivotal Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War, and now assuming office as the President of the USA. It is in this role that Thunderbolt Ross has reached the zenith of his power - both politically and physically - and will ostensibly be at his most villainous.

Related Why Harrison Ford Was Recast As Thunderbolt Ross In The MCU Harrison Ford has taken over the role of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in the MCU, set to make his debut in Captain America: Brave New World.
2 Red Hulk Is Another Evil MCU Politician Close The continued clashes between superheroes and those in positions of power are about to reach a new high with the arrival of Red Hulk as Captain America: Brave New World's presidential villain. As President, Thunderbolt Ross is one of the most high-profile politicians with whom an Avenger has been at odds, but he adds to a notably longstanding tradition that extends as far back as the earliest days of the MCU. This is something that began with Senator Stern in Iron Man 2 and has since become a keystone feature of the MCU's heroes' extralegal virtues.
Notable Political MCU Villains
MCU Movie
Villainous Politician
Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Senator Stern
The Avengers
World Security Council
Iron Man 3
Vice-President Rodriguez
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Various HYDRA-aligned politicians
Captain America: Civil War and Black Widow
Secretary Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Secret Invasion
President Ritson
Captain America: Brave New World
President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross
While Thunderbolt Ross is essentially continuing his antagonistic streak in the MCU, it appears as though his Red Hulk persona will be much harder to sympathize with. He did, after all, ultimately kowtow to Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk and the Sokovia Accords have some moral merit, hence why Team Stark was formed in the first place. What appears to be Red Hulk's destruction of the White House, however, shows just how far the character has descended. Nevertheless, the worst is yet to come.
While the MCU has a trend of depicting villainous politicians, not all MCU politicians are villainous, with notable examples being T'Challa, President Ellis, and King Valkyrie.
Kingpin Will Crown The MCU's Political Villain Trend Close The finale of Echo saw Wilson Fisk's Kingpin eyeing the role of New York Mayor. While this politically pales in comparison to the President of the United States, this overtly villainous character acquiring such power carries far graver implications - particularly if the Marvel Comics story that inspired it is anything to go by. Thaddeus Ross does, after all, appear to have misguidedly good intentions at heart, as demonstrated by the fact that he wishes to reform the Avengers and ostensibly protect his country's interests.
Kingpin, meanwhile, is set to have far more selfish concerns. It is likely that Daredevil: Born Again will see Kingpin cracking down on vigilantism and stirring up sentiment against superheroes as a whole. While Thunderbolt Ross' intentions with the Sokovia Accords intended to regulate superhero activity, Kingpin is more likely to outlaw it altogether with the express purpose of strengthening his own position. Furthermore, he will be even more entrenched as a public political figure, potentially moving him even closer to his own shot at the White House should Ross ultimately relinquish the role after Captain America: Brave New World.

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 Julius Onah Release Date February 14, 2025 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Writers Dalan Musson , Malcolm Spellman Cast 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 5
May 1, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars
May 7, 2027

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