How Harrison Ford's Character Transforms Into Red Hulk

One of the worst-kept secrets about ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is that Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, will transform into the Red Hulk during the film. This development has been hinted at in teaser trailers, exclusive footage from D23, and Marvel's 85th-anniversary video. For fans who aren’t well-versed in the comics, the question of how Ross becomes the Red Hulk is a major one. Unlike Bruce Banner's (Mark Ruffalo) accidental transformation into the Hulk, which involved a gamma bomb, Ross's path to becoming the Red Hulk is more complex and tragic.

In the comics, before his transformation, Ross and Banner had a strained relationship, primarily because Ross despised the Hulk and pursued Banner relentlessly. However, the dynamic changed when Banner married Ross’s daughter, Betty. After Betty's mysterious murder, which seemingly pointed to Banner as the killer, Ross renewed his vendetta against him. Eventually, it was revealed that Banner’s gamma-powered enemy was behind Betty's death.

Image Courtesy: CBR

After clearing his name, Banner was tricked into being launched into space by the Illuminati, leaving Ross in despair. At this low point, Ross was approached by the Intelligencia, a group of malevolent super-geniuses. They offered to resurrect Betty if Ross agreed to become a Hulk. Following the events of ‘World War Hulk’, the Intelligencia drained Hulk’s gamma radiation and transferred it to Ross, transforming him into the Red Hulk. 

Ross then sought revenge against the Abomination and battled various Marvel heroes before confronting Banner and Betty, who had been revived as Red She-Hulk.

Image Courtesy: CBR

In ‘Brave New World’, characters from ‘The Incredible Hulk’, including Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross and Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns (aka the Leader), are returning. Stern's role is significant as he is a key member of the Intelligencia and instrumental in the transformation of Ross and others into Red Hulks. 

The film’s footage suggests a shadowy figure manipulating events, which aligns with the Leader’s tactics. Additionally, M.O.D.O.K. and Doctor Doom, both members of the Intelligencia, are also set to appear in the MCU, hinting at a larger, darker agenda unfolding behind the scenes.

–Farheen Ali