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One of the things I am most excited to see in Captain America: Brave New World has to be the Red Hulk, and after rewatching the trailer once again, I noticed something essential about this version of the character. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has never given enough attention to the Hulk, ever since the 2008 movie ended up being largely ignored after replacing Edward Norton with Mark Ruffalo. But, the Multiverse Saga has finally been paying more attention to the Hulk, and the characters that are typically involved with the hero in the comics.
From She-Hulk, to Skaar, and now The Leader and Red Hulk, the MCU is finally building the world around the Green Giant. And while he has yet to get a solo movie, there is still hope, especially with these peripheral characters becoming a larger part of the story. However, it wasn't clear how far the movies would try to replicate the comic version of characters like Red Hulk, but the trailer does sneakily give one quick glimpse at a detail that will prove vital for this character moving forward.
I Can't Believe I Just Noticed Captain America: Brave New World Confirmed A Red Hulk Power
Red Hulk Has Incredible Powers That The Hulk Does Not
In the first trailer, Red Hulk only appeared in a brief flash looking behind the character, which gave away precious little about the new rival. However, subsequent trailers have featured the character more prominently, with a full view of the monster in action, and multiple different scenes where they appear. But looking even closer at one quick moment that happens in the November trailer and has been slightly extended in recent clips, Red Hulk's heat powers have been confirmed.
As President Ross finds himself transforming for what appears to be the first time, his hand turns red and grows in size, before he places a large Red Hulk hand down on the fabric floor which he was standing on, and the fabric begins to burn. This proves that Red Hulk in the MCU, like his comic book counterpart, emits heat from his skin that naturally causes burning. And it could further suggest that the character has other heat-based powers from the comics too.
Red Hulk's Heat Powers From Marvel Comics Explained
There Is A History Of Unique Comic Powers For Red Hulk
In Marvel Comics, General Thaddeus Ross develops the ability to transform into a red version of the Hulk after exposure to gamma radiation mixed with cosmic energy. This cosmic energy is best known for creating heroes like The Fantastic Four, and is the source of power which the Silver Surfer is able to manipulate and control. However, in the body of the Red Hulk, this causes them to be able to produce overwhelming levels of heat and radiation from their skin, which increases along with their anger and rage. And it appears that this will be translated to the MCU version.
In Marvel Comics, General Thaddeus Ross develops the ability to transform into a red version of the Hulk after exposure to gamma radiation mixed with cosmic energy.
Beyond that, the comic book Red Hulk is able to focus and emit this radiation in specific ways, such as causing explosions, and producing short-range heat vision. I think it's possible that both of these powers will make it into the movie, but there are other comic book powers that appear to be confirmed as absent, such as Ross's ability to control his transformation, and to retain his intellect. Unlike Hulk, the Red Hulk has remarkable control over his powers in the comics, but it seems like Ross is being controlled in Brave New World, which suggests there are definite changes to the character as well.
What Red Hulk's Heat Powers Mean For His Fight Against Sam Wilson's Captain America
Captain America Could Be In Trouble Facing The Red Hulk
While facing a Hulk is already enough of a challenge, the addition of radioactive heat powers will likely make things monumentally more difficult for Sam Wilson's Captain America. And Sam was already at a disadvantage without the aid of a super-soldier serum. But, I do think that this level of threat may be exactly what is needed to either harm Sam and force him to need a super soldier serum, or create enough pressure that Sam will decide to take it on his own, thus finishing his transformation into Captain America and becoming a superhero.
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Which MCU movie are you most excited for in 2025?
Captain America: Brave New World is set to release in less than a month, and tickets are on sale now. Thunderbolts* is in May, followed by Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. While I'm immensely excited about all three, I think I'm most excited about Fantastic Four and the chance Marvel Studios has to provide a live-action First Family unlike anything that's been seen before.
Especially considering his biggest advantage in this fight is the Vibranium shield that he inherited from Steve Rogers. While Vibranium is almost indestructible, it can be melted down, and in the comics, cosmic powered beings like the Human Torch, were able to use their heat powers to melt the metal. If President Ross' Red Hulk has a similar power source with cosmic radiation, and his heat powers can clumb high enough, he could well be capable of melting right through Cap's shield, and creating entirely new problems in Captain America: Brave New World.
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
Release Date February 14, 2025
Main Genre Superhero
Character(s) Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross / Red Hulk , Betty Ross , Sidewinder , Rachel Leighton / Diamondback , Prime Minister Ozaki , Sam Wilson / Captain America , Samuel Sterns / The Leader , Ruth Bat-Seraph / Sabra , Isaiah Bradley , Joaquin Torres / Falcon , Presidential Aide , Secret Service Agent #2 , Navy Seal , White House Press
Director Julius Onah
Writers Dalan Musson , Malcolm Spellman
Studio(s) Marvel Studios
Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Release Date February 14, 2025
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Release Date July 25, 2025
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Release Date July 24, 2026
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English (US) ·