How in the Hell Does Harrison Ford's Character Become Red Hulk in the Comics? (2024)

Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

How in the Hell Does Harrison Ford's Character Become Red Hulk in the Comics? (1)

By Collier Jennings

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How in the Hell Does Harrison Ford's Character Become Red Hulk in the Comics? (2)

Probably the worst-kept secret about Captain America: Brave New World is that Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) will become the Red Hulk at some point in the film. It was shown in the teaser trailer, in exclusive footage shown at D23, and at the tail end of a video celebrating Marvel's 85th anniversary. The question on everyone's minds — or the viewers who aren't avid comic readers — is how Ross becomes the Hulk. The accident that transformed Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) into the Hulk was a massive fluke, and it's not like someone has spare gamma bombs lying around. There's also the fact that Ross hated the Hulk with a passion, chasing Banner to the ends of the earth in The Incredible Hulk. Ross' transformation in the comics is the end of a road laced with tragedy, and connects to one of the villains in Brave New World's narrative.

Thunderbolt Ross Becomes Red Hulk Because of Grief and Rage

Prior to transforming into the Red Hulk, Ross and Banner had actually buried the hatchet, as Banner had married Ross' daughter Betty. But Betty was mysteriously murdered one day, and all signs pointed to Banner as the culprit. Banner immediately went on the run to clear his name (while Ross once again pursued him with furor) but they both learned that Banner's gamma-powered foe was the culprit in The Incredible Hulk #473 by Joe Casey and Javier Pulido. Shortly after clearing his name, Banner is then tricked into boarding a satellite by the Illuminati, and shot into the far corners of space. Without the Hulk to chase down or a daughter to come home to, Ross was at a low point.

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2

Then he was approached by the Intelligencia, a cabal of evil super geniuses. The Intelligencia offered Ross a deal: if he let them transform him into a Hulk, they'd resurrect Betty. In the fallout of the World War Hulk storyline by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr., the Intelligencia took advantage of Iron Man using a series of satellites to drain the Hulk's gamma radiation and beam it into Ross, transforming him into the Red Hulk. Ross then uses his newfound powers to exact vengeance on the Abomination and battle a multitude of Marvel heroes before he comes face to face with Banner and Betty, who had been resurrected as Red She-Hulk by the Intelligencia.

One of the Intelligencia's Members Plays a Key Role in 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Despite being a Captain America movie, Captain America: Brave New World is slated to bring back characters who appeared in The Incredible Hulk: most notably Liv Tyler as Betty Ross and Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, aka the Leader. Sterns' appearance isn't just a big deal because it marks his first appearance since 2008, but because the Leader is a prominent member of the Intelligencia. In fact, it's due to his work that the Ross family are transformed into Red Hulks. The Brave New World footage shown at D23 and San Diego Comic-Con hinted at a mysterious mastermind activating sleeper agents, which could fit with the Leader's M.O.; he's also hired other villains to do his work for him, which is where Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder and the rest of the Serpent Society can factor into the narrative.

The Leader isn't the only member of the Intelligencia to appear in the MCU. The group of evil geniuses includes M.O.D.O.K., who made his first appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Doctor Doom, who is set to be played by MCU alum Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Like his appearance in the comics, the Red Hulk could be the precursor to darker forces working behind the scenes in the MCU.

How in the Hell Does Harrison Ford's Character Become Red Hulk in the Comics? (4)
Captain America: Brave New World

Fantasy

Adventure

Action

Sam Wilson, now fully embracing his role as Captain America, faces political and personal challenges as he works to rebuild the Avengers. When a mysterious new threat emerges, Wilson must navigate alliances with former adversaries and uncover secrets that could alter the course of the superhero team forever​.

Release Date
February 14, 2025
Director
Julius Onah
Cast
Anthony Mackie , Harrison Ford , Danny Ramirez , shira haas , Giancarlo Esposito
Main Genre
Superhero
Writers
Dalan Musson , Malcolm Spellman

Studio(s)
Marvel Studios

Captain America: Brave New World flies into theaters on February 14, 2025.

How in the Hell Does Harrison Ford's Character Become Red Hulk in the Comics? (2024)

FAQs

How in the Hell Does Harrison Ford's Character Become Red Hulk in the Comics? ›

In the fallout of the World War Hulk storyline by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr., the Intelligencia took advantage of Iron Man using a series of satellites to drain the Hulk's gamma radiation and beam it into Ross

Ross
Elizabeth "Betty" Ross (later Talbot and then Banner) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962) as a romantic interest of the Hulk (Dr. Bruce Banner).
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Betty_Ross
, transforming him into the Red Hulk.

How does General become Red Hulk? ›

Using radiation siphoned from the Hulk, Leader and M.O.D.O.K. transformed Ross into the Red Hulk. However, Ross didn't reveal his true identity until he came under attack by the Red She-Hulk for a second time.

How is Harrison Ford Red Hulk? ›

Ford embraced motion capture technology to play the Red Hulk in “Captain America: Brave New World” after dabbling in de-aging technology on “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which used visual effects to make Ford appear decades younger.

Is Red Hulk in the comics? ›

"Thunderbolt" Ross (also known as the Red Hulk) is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics featuring the Hulk. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, and the ex-father-in-law of both Glenn Talbot and Bruce Banner.

Is Red Hulk Hulk's dad? ›

The first incarnation of Red Hulk (also known as Rulk) first appeared in the Hulk series that debuted in 2008. The 2010 "World War Hulks" storyline reveals that this being is United States Army General Thunderbolt Ross, the father-in-law and longtime nemesis of the original Hulk (Bruce Banner).

Who's stronger, Hulk or Red Hulk? ›

Who is stronger? The Red Hulks base strength is stronger than the hulks, so if Ross and Banner had just transformed into there hulk counter parts Ross would be stronger, but since the hulk gets stronger the madder he gets the hulk can potentially be stronger, while the red hulk get hotter the madder he gets.

Is Red Hulk stronger than Abomination? ›

When the Hulk is in his normal state the Abomination is at least twice as strong as him. However, the catch is that the Abomination cannot become stronger with anger like the hulk, so if the fight gives the Hulk the sufficient amount of time to power up then the Hulk will gain an advantage over the Abomination.

Does Red Hulk have a weakness? ›

Weaknesses: He turns weaker if he is exposed to Negative Zone energy. If his body turns too hot he becomes disoriented.

Is Red Hulk a hero or villain? ›

In his earliest appearances, the Red Hulk was definitely a villain. Aside from murdering Abomination and Wendigo, he fought both Hulk and Thor. Eventually, he reformed, and became something of a hero again. He joined the Avengers, upon Captain America's request, and later, the Thunderbolts.

Who can beat Red Hulk? ›

Namor, Wolverine, and Iron Man have all had significant battles with the Hulk, showcasing different strategies to take him down. Surprisingly, heroes like Spider-Man, Squirrel Girl, and even Batman have managed to defeat the Hulk in various comic storylines.

Is Red Hulk good or bad? ›

Ross, also known as Thunderbolt Ross, and later known as the Red Hulk, is a fictional character and villain turned anti-hero in Marvel comics, appearing as an antagonist turned hero in the Hulk comics and other media.

Who is the father of Hulk's son? ›

Fictional character biography. Skaar is the son of the Hulk/Bruce Banner and Caiera, an extraterrestrial native of the planet Sakaar. He was posthumously born via the Old Power after Sakaar was destroyed and Caiera killed, emerging from a cocoon on the planet's remains and rapidly aging into an adult.

Who is the Red Hulk in Deadpool? ›

Red Hulk (General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross) and Deadpool first became allies when Deadpool was hired on as member of his mercenary squadron known as Code Red for the purpose of killing Domino.

Will General Ross become Red Hulk? ›

Like many others, I've been pointing out the imminent debut of the MCU's Red Hulk for years, and Captain America: Brave New World finally confirmed that Harrison Ford's Ross will indeed undergo his classic comics' gamma transformation. Although the reveal is very exciting, it's not exactly a surprise.

How did Betty become Red She-Hulk? ›

Betty was discovered by her father, General Ross, who sought out the Intelligencia, a group of intelligent Super Villains intent on world dominance, to help cure her cancer. The Intelligencia used Samson's Cathexis-ray and cosmic radiation to turn Betty into the Red She-Hulk.

How did Agent Ross become Red Hulk? ›

Using a combination of Gamma Rays and Cosmic Energy (the energy that gave the Fantastic Four their powers in the Marvel Universe), MODOK empowers Thunderbolt Ross as a Red Hulk, who possesses not just the strength of the original Hulk, but all his own military knowledge and cunning, as well as the power to absorb and ...

How many Hulks are there? ›

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law brought the total number of MCU Hulks to four: Bruce, She-Hulk, Abomination, and Skaar. Before this, there were rumors that Marvel was planning to tackle General "Thunderbolt" Ross' Red Hulk story arc from the comics in She-Hulk.

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