Summary
Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross will soon debut in theMCU, begging the question of whether he’ll reprise it in 2025’sThunderbolts*. The latesttrailer forCaptain America: Brave New Worldgave worldwide audiences their first look at Harrison Ford’s MCU role, which he has assumed in place of the late William Hurt. This trailer also confirmed what merchandise had hinted at: thatRed Hulk will make his on-screen debutas a significant challenge for the newly minted Captain America to overcome.
Thunderboltsis slated for release on June 28, 2025, immediately followingCaptain America: Brave New Worldon June 26, 2025.Details surrounding theThunderboltsstoryhave been sparse, with speculation being kicked into overdrive following the addition of an asterisk in the title. What is certain is that the titular team will comprise a lineup of morally gray antiheroes and retired villains tasked with carrying out a clandestine mission assigned by Valentina Allegra De Fontaine - and Red Hulk may be involved.
Thunderbolts* Cast & Marvel Character Guide
Several MCU characters return for Phase 5’s Thunderbolts, a team of antiheroes and reformed villains attempting to follow in the Avengers' footsteps.
Harrison Ford Will Reportedly Be In Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Movie
The Hollywood Reporterreported in October 2022 thatHarrison Ford had been cast inThunderbolts*. If true, this would mean Ford will star in two consecutive MCU movies and make a significant first impression as he embodies the long-awaited Red Hulk persona. As of yet, this report has not been contradicted, suggesting that Ford is still in the lineup somewhere inThunderbolts*if THR sources are correct.
Given Red Hulk’s impact and the fact that he is unlikely to be bested by a notably less powerful Sam Wilson, there is every reason to believe that Ford will reprise the role down the line in the MCU. The Thunderbolts' proximity to the government through De Fontaine suggests his role as the US President (presuming it continues afterthe story ofCaptain America: Brave New World) will also bring him closer to the team. Nevertheless, Marvel Studios itself has yet to officially confirm the veracity of this report.
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.
Why Marvel Hasn’t Confirmed Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolts* Role Yet
As the asterisk suggests, Marvel Studios is keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes toThunderbolts*. Whether the asterisk has anything to do with Red Hulk’s involvement is unclear, but it is safe to say thatMarvel probably wants to keep Harrison Ford’s involvement a relative secret until hisCaptain America: Brave New Worldstory has played out. As with most MCU installments, Marvel is likely protecting the story details forCaptain America: Brave New Worldas well asThunderbolts*by refusing to confirm whether Thunderbolt Ross even survives his next outing.
One theory suggests that theThunderbolts*asterisk is hiding the true intention of the movie being a Dark Avengers installment.
With that being said, there is no doubt a litany of big reveals being reserved forMarvel’s appearance at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. The studio unveiled the initial cast forThunderboltsat 2022’s SDCC, which was its last appearance as 2023’s writer’s strike caused Marvel to pull out of the event, so the franchise might be looking to flesh it out at this year’s along with an official announcement and reveal of Lewis Pullman’s Sentry. Unveiling Ford’sThunderboltsinvolvement would, of course, be exciting - but it also feels somewhat inevitable.
How Harrison Ford Fits Into The Thunderbolts* Movie Story
It is hard to see how Thunderbolt Ross couldn’t be in some way involved inThunderbolts*given the team’s obvious connection to his moniker. Interestingly, the Thunderbolts of Marvel Comics had little to do with Thunderbolt Ross, with the name being chosen by leader Baron Zemo for its more esoteric connotations. On the other hand,the fact that the debut team does not involve Zemo in any way hints that Marvel might be leaning into Thunderbolt Ross being more intimately involved and may name the team after himself.
Red Hulk did form another version of the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics comprising Deadpool, Mercy, Elektra, Agent Venom, Punisher, Ghost Rider, Red Leader, and himself, with a similar MO to the original team.
This development is hinted at further by the fact that Thunderbolt Ross was seen commissioning Captain America to found a new Avengers team in the exclusive footage forCaptain America: Brave New Worldaired at Cinema Con. This cements Thunderbolt Ross' expressed interest in pulling together a team of superpowered individuals. With hisRed Hulk transformation now confirmed, it is also likely that Thunderbolt Ross will join the team himself, as he did in Marvel Comics.
TheThunderbolts*asterisk could also be pointing to an unseen footnote clarifying the team has nothing to do with Thunderbolt Ross, which will become clear in the wake of his death inCaptain America: Brave New World. Marvel is not beyond killing off powerful and influential villains in the space of one movie (such as Hela, Gorr the God Butcher, and Red Skull), so such a fate could feasibly await Red Hulk inCaptain America: Brave New World. Harrison Ford’s star power also hints at this, given the number of fellow Hollywood icons who feature in just one MCU movie.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories in order to survive and achieve their goals.
