Harrison Ford’s entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is something few saw coming, especially at this stage in his career. Ford best known for iconic roles like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, is now stepping into the shoes of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross aka the Red Hulk in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’
However, Ford isn’t just taking on a political leadership role as President Ross; he’s also stepping into uncharted territory as the Red Hulk. While talking about his inspiration for the role, the actor made it clear that he did not follow in Mark Ruffalo’s footsteps.
Harrison Ford Wants A Hulk Vs Hulk Showdown
In a surprising revelation, Harrison Ford admitted that he didn’t turn to Mark Ruffalo (who has played the MCU’s Hulk since 2012) for advice on playing a gamma-powered giant. Instead, he simply had to “wing it.” Moreover, taking over an established character is never easy, especially one with deep roots in the MCU.
Related: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Is Marvel’s Shortest Movie In The Franchise
William Hurt portrayed Thaddeus Ross across multiple films, from ‘The Incredible Hulk’ to ‘Black Widow’. His Ross was a hard-nosed military man obsessed with controlling superhumans (especially the Hulk). When asked about following in Hulk’s footsteps, Ford acknowledged the challenge.
“It…becomes your responsibility to fill out the shoes that have walked before you,” he said. Fortunately, he found guidance in the script. “I had a lot of help from the script because the character’s life becomes more complicated and interesting, perhaps.”
While he may not have sought out Ruffalo for tips on playing a Hulk, Ford joked about their potential showdown. “I hope he’s not disappointed… Maybe we should see who’s hulkier,” he teased. Given how much the MCU loves its hero-versus-hero battles, fans might just get that match-up one day.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Clears Up ‘Eternals’ Celestial Mystery, Reveals A Major X-Men Connection
Beyond introducing Harrison Ford’s Ross and Red Hulk in a major way, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ also answers one of Marvel fans’ biggest lingering questions: what happened to the Celestial sticking out of the Indian Ocean in ‘Eternals’?
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Since the film, the massive remains of Tiamut have been left unaddressed (until now). ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘ features Ford’s President Ross discussing the discovery of the game-changing ametal, adamantium. “When the Celestial Mass emerged, we squabbled over it. What was found inside that island was the discovery of the millennia. I present to you: adamantium,” Ross says.
For Marvel fans, the implications are huge. Adamantium is the same near-indestructible metal that coats Wolverine’s skeleton and claws. This reveal paves the way for mutants to officially enter the MCU. Additionally, even Marvel President Kevin Feige has teased the “age of mutants” for the MCU. So, it’s safe to assume that the mutants sre gonna come in hard.
