Harrison Ford Hints That Red Hulk Is Being Controlled in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

Captain America: Brave New World will introduce Harrison Ford to the MCU. He will play Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross / Red Hulk as a replacement for the late William Hurt.

While the full details of how Ross becomes Red Hulk remain unclear, Ford has hinted that the character’s transformation isn’t entirely under his control.

In an interview with Empire, Ford mentioned that Ross is “being controlled” through an unspecified mechanism. He avoided going into too much detail but suggested the transformation isn’t a voluntary act.

This adds a layer of complexity to Ross’ role, suggesting he might not fully be a villain. Instead, his transformation could make him a pawn in a larger conspiracy, likely orchestrated by Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader.

Fans of the comics will remember that Red Hulk’s origins involved the Leader and others using Gamma radiation to turn Ross into the monster, though the MCU seems to be charting its own path.

The trailers have kept Sterns’ involvement under wraps, but it’s heavily implied he may control when Ross changes into Red Hulk. This setup creates a dynamic where Captain America might not need brute force to defeat Ross but could aim to sever the connection between Ross and the Leader.

The film also tackles the challenge of pitting Sam Wilson, a hero without superpowers, against a character as powerful as Red Hulk. To address this, the movie equips Sam with a vibranium wingsuit crafted in Wakanda, allowing him to hold his own against the Gamma-powered behemoth.

Producer Nate Moore explained that the suit is designed to help Sam survive the fight, though it doesn’t guarantee victory. Visual effects supervisor Dan Cox shared that they had to choreograph the action to highlight Sam’s resourcefulness, using his wings and shield to avoid and absorb Red Hulk’s devastating attacks.

Bringing Red Hulk to life required extensive effort from Marvel’s creative team. Ryan Meinerding, head of visual development at Marvel Studios, explained that they wanted the character to retain some human traits to reflect Ross’ personality.

Director Julius Onah pushed for a unique design that distinguished Red Hulk from the green Hulk, focusing on military-like posture and tactical movements. Meinerding’s team even considered giving the character Ross’ signature mustache but ultimately opted for a cleaner look.

Harrison Ford’s involvement in the film adds a significant touch to Red Hulk’s design. Weta Digital scanned Ford’s face to capture his likeness, incorporating elements like his eyes, nose, and mouth into the CGI character.

Ford even donned a motion-capture suit to perform some of Red Hulk’s movements, fully embracing the role despite being in his 80s. According to Cox, Ford insisted on doing his own stunts for certain scenes, showing his dedication to the character.

The relationship between Sam and Ross is another major focus of the film. Early on, Ross, now president, assigns Sam the task of reassembling the Avengers. However, political and moral conflicts soon arise, with Ross’ transformation into Red Hulk serving as a physical manifestation of their ideological clash. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the weight of carrying the American flag as a symbol.

Scheduled for release on February 14, Captain America: Brave New World has a big task ahead. Although Deadpool & Wolverine was a massive success for Marvel Studios, the fourth Captain America movie is the real test of the MCU is back on track.

What do you think? What’s the story behind Red Hulk in the movie? Let us know in the comments below.

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