The Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently going through a significant shift in its post Avengers: Endgame phase. With the retirement of several original heroes, including Iron Man and Captain America, the mantle of the latter has been passed on to the next generation.
In the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is revealed as the new Captain America, as he grapples with accepting his newfound role as the world’s hero. With his position now secure, he is set to star in his own solo film titled Captain America: Brave New World, previously known as Captain America: New World Order.
Not much is currently known about the plot of the upcoming Captain America sequel, but it has been revealed that the film will have a more grounded approach, similar to the political thriller style of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Harrison Ford will also be joining the cast as Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, taking over the role from the late William Hurt. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has hinted at Ross eventually becoming the Red Hulk, it is unlikely that this transformation will occur in the new film. Nonetheless, the announcement of Ford’s involvement is sure to excite fans eager to see this iconic comic book villain brought to life on the big screen.
Red Hulk will not appear in Captain America 4
It comes as no surprise that Harrison Ford is set to feature prominently in Brave New World, considering his immense popularity and selective approach towards roles. The veteran actor was initially hesitant to return to the Star Wars franchise, taking years to make a decision. However, he eventually reprised his iconic role in The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker, much to the delight of fans worldwide.
Captain America 4 will be more grounded
Harrison Ford's appearance in an officially released photo on the set of the new MCU film, which coincided with the title change announcement, confirms that he will be portraying Ross in human form in this movie. This suggests that the character of Red Hulk will likely be brought to life through CGI in the future, and Ford's presence on set indicates that his role will be focused on playing Ross as a human, at least for now.
As mentioned, the upcoming Captain America movie will shift its focus towards the political aspect of the MCU, deviating from the cosmic and multiverse adventures depicted in recent releases such as WandaVision, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. For a lot of fans, the return to Earth with a more down-to-earth plot will be a refreshing change of pace after numerous multiverse tales that have garnered mixed or unfavorable critiques (particularly the third installment of Ant-Man).
Throughout the Infinity Saga, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) captivated audiences by taking them on a journey through various corners of the universe. The Winter Soldier and the first Guardians of the Galaxy film, both released in 2014, showcased different aspects of this expansive world. However, it's worth noting that some of the most successful MCU films have been those with a more grounded and serious tone. The three Captain America movies, for instance, were all critically acclaimed and each explored different genres - from a World War II drama to a political thriller and a superhero-infused political drama.
Red Hulk will be teased for the future
Red Hulk's appearance in the upcoming Captain America film is unlikely due to the grounded nature of the story. However, the character will be teased for future appearances and is expected to have a significant role in the MCU's Earth-based stories. The addition of Harrison Ford as Red Hulk is a major win for the franchise and has generated even more anticipation for the character's future in the universe. The next installment in the MCU, Secret Invasion, draws inspiration from The Winter Soldier and will feature Nick Fury and a new hero played by Emilia Clarke, who is the daughter of Ben Mendelsohn's alien skrull.
