Captain America 4 Director Reveals Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross' True Intentions In Brave New World: "He's Trying To Rewrite His Legacy"

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Even 17 years after his Marvel Cinematic Universe introduction in The Incredible Hulk, Thaddeus Ross is still evolving. The former Bruce Banner antagonist was first brought to life by the late William Hurt, who portrayed "Thunderbolt" in five feature films. Ross began as a general, working his way up the political ladder to become Secretary of State. When we catch up with him in Captain America: Brave New World, now played by Harrison Ford, Ross has been elected President of the United States.

Throughout his political journey, Ross has not always had our heroes' best interests in mind. He was a staunch supporter of the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War, a set of laws that effectively turned the Avengers into government property. Nearly a decade removed from that controversial stance, Ross has his eye towards redemption.

ScreenRant spoke with Captain America: Brave New World director Julius Onah to shed light on what Thaddeus Ross's headspace was like while he pursued the Oval Office and where he has his priorities heading into his first term.

Thaddeus Ross' Presidential Campaign Was Run On A "Theme Of Togetherness"

"He's Trying To Rewrite His Legacy..."

Thaddeus Ross wants to go down in the history books as someone who brought change for good. "This president was about bringing people together. He's trying to rewrite his legacy," director Julius Onah said of Harrison Ford's Ross. "He's an elder statesman. He's a diplomat. That's what his campaign was about, he ran on this theme of togetherness."

Ross succeeds James Ritson (Dermot Mulroney) as President of the United States in the MCU, making himself the third fictional character to take on the position. Matthew Ellis (William Sadler) was the franchise's first fictional POTUS, appearing in Iron Man 3.

While this position of power has clearly shifted over the MCU's 17 years, the campaigns and inaugurations have all taken place off-screen. When asked what Ross's campaign looked like, Onah revealed that the centerpiece was around the MCU's newest resource.

"He wants to use Adamantium as a way to better the lives of people all over the world."

Comic fans will recognize Adamantium as the fictional metal that coats Wolverine's skeleton. Adamantium makes its long-awaited MCU debut by way of Tiamut, the half-birthed Celestial from the end of Eternals (2021).

As a political vehicle, Adamantium represents a point of contention within the MCU. The franchise's previous strongest metal, Vibranium, was under such strict control from the Wakandans that they hid their full power as a civilization for centuries out of fear of the battles that would be waged over their resource. While Ross seeks to give everyone an equal share of the Adamantium pie, doing so will be easier said than done.

Thaddeus Seeks Reconnection With Liv Tyler's Betty

"It Was About Proving To Betty That He Turned A New Leaf..."

All of those international efforts are made with one person in mind: Betty. When Thaddeus debuted in The Incredible Hulk (2008), he did so alongside his daughter, played by Liv Tyler. Thaddeus and Betty's relationship was strained drastically when he began hunting down Betty's fiancée, Bruce Banner. While Thaddeus and Bruce have appeared in various MCU stories in the years since, Betty has been nowhere to be found.

That changes in Brave New World, as Tyler will reprise the role for the first time in 17 years. "What I loved about it is on a macro level, he wants to make the world better, but on a micro level, he wants to reconnect to his daughter," Onah said of Thaddeus. "And it was about proving to Betty that he turned a new leaf."

Betty Ross Red She-Hulk Captain America New World Order

Betty Ross’ MCU Return Sets Up Captain America 4’s Second Red Hulk

Thunderbolt Ross might finally become Red Hulk in Captain America: New World Order, but Betty Ross' MCU return sets up a second version of Red Hulk.

Betty's stance towards her father remains to be seen, and it will also be challenged by his inevitable rageful transformation. Thaddeus will take on his beastly alter ego in Brave New World, as promotional material has revealed the Red Hulk will play a key role throughout the story.

"It's part of Ross's emotional journey in this film," Onah said of Thaddeus's other side. "Not only was it something that was meaningful, but it's also something that still is fun and action-driven. You're getting two levels of it, the escapism of it, but it's still something that is emotional and character-driven and part of the theme of this film. We get to lean into what's unique about him. His heat. We get to see the heat waves around him. We get to see flames."

Check back soon for our other Captain America: Brave New World interviews with...