‘Captain America: Brave New World’ after spending almost two weeks at the box office, has sparked discussion among Marvel fans, particularly regarding the depiction of Red Hulk.
One of the most notable creative choices in the film is that Red Hulk, played by Harrison Ford, does not speak. Director Julius Onah recently opened up about this decision and explained the reasoning behind it.
Director Julius Onah Wanted To Separate Thunderbolt Ross From The Red Hulk
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ director Julius Onah, in an interview with Collider, emphasized that Red Hulk’s silence was an intentional creative choice rather than an oversight. “Whether or not Red Hulk should talk, that was something that came up quite a bit,” Onah explained.
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“My feeling was that he shouldn’t, which is what is the case in the movie,” he added. Moreover, this decision was not made lightly. Onah elaborated that the transformation of Thunderbolt Ross into Red Hulk is deeply symbolic, reflecting the internal battle he is facing.
“The transformation that Ross is dealing with and the struggle that Ross is dealing with emotionally in this film is trying to move away from what he’s been known as, Thunderbolt Ross,” Onah said. “The moment you give him language as a Hulk, you move away from pure id to a more rational being.”
Essentially, Red Hulk’s silence reinforces the idea that he is not just a more powerful version of Ross, he is something entirely different. By stripping him of speech, the film underscores the loss of control and humanity that comes with the transformation. It’s a choice that completely separates the two characters.
Harrison Ford’s Take On The MCU And Red Hulk
Harrison Ford joining the MCU was a big deal for fans and Marvel. Additionally, the actor himself has expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter in his career. In an interview, Ford explained why he finally decided to step into the world of superheroes.
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“I understand the appeal of other kinds of films besides the kind we made in the ’80s and ’90s. Things change and morph and go on. We’re silly if we sit around regretting the change and don’t participate. I’m participating in a new part of the business that, for me at least, is really producing some good experiences for an audience. I enjoy that,” he explained.
His portrayal of Thunderbolt Ross was not only a pivotal role in the film but also served as an anchor, according to Onah. The film explores Ross’s struggle with his own legacy, and Ford’s performance brings a weighty presence to that arc. Onah called Ford “the thematic core” of the film.
Additionally, this silent Hulk approach also aligns with Harrison Ford’s own perspective. Onah revealed that Ford himself was on board with the idea of a silent Red Hulk. “That speaks to a guy and how great of collaborators everybody at Marvel is. They respected that, and that’s what we got in the movie.”
