Captain America: New World Order is using two Hulk villains with The Leader and Thunderbolt Ross, and that could mean Bruce Banner has a big role too.
Captain America: New World Order is using two Hulk villains, and that should mean that Bruce Banner plays a huge role in the movie. The fourth Captain America movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to look very different from the previous three. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is now leading the franchise after becoming Captain America following Avengers: Endgame. The confirmation of Captain America 4 left questions about which classic Marvel villains could be included. Marvel Studios eventually revealed that The Leader and Thunderbolt Ross are set to play pivotal roles.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAYClose
The MCU introduced both The Leader and Thunderbolt Ross in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. While William Hurt’s Ross eventually returned in Phase 3 for a few minor appearances, Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns never returned after his Leader transformation was teased in Incredible Hulk‘s ending. That will finally change with Captain America: New World Order, as he is positioned to be the main villain of the film, possibly even the leader of the villain group New World Order. Thunderbolt Ross’ role will be a bit different, as Harrison Ford’s version of the character will be the President of the United States.
RELATED:Thunderbolt Ross Can Be An MCU Mainstay, Even If Harrison Ford Isn’t
Bruce Banner Could Reunite With Ross & The Leader In Captain America 4
Since Captain America: New World Order‘s main villains are both related to Hulk, the movie could be where Bruce Banner finally is reunited with them in the MCU. Bruce, Ross, and The Leader’s MCU stories all began together in The Incredible Hulk, and the movie was meant to begin a new franchise involving all three. However, the evolution of the shared universe and Universal owning Hulk’s movie rights complicated this matter. Even though Bruce Banner and Thunderbolt Ross have since been recast, Captain America: New World Order could finally bring the three Hulk characters together if Mark Ruffalo appears.
The MCU has made a habit of including Bruce Banner in various projects during the beginning of the Multiverse Saga, even as rumors swirl a World War Hulk movie could come. It is unclear if he is still an active member of the Avengers, but Bruce’s appearance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings indicated he is still working with other members of the superhero community. Given his history with Thunderbolt Ross and The Leader, it would make sense for Bruce Banner to be in Captain America: New World Order. He could give advice to Sam Wilson as he deals with both or even fight them.
Hulk’s Appearance In Captain America 4 Can Help Introduce Red Hulk
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk appearance in Captain America: New World Order could also help the movie introduce Red Hulk. There has been plenty of speculation that Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross will become Red Hulk in the movie as an extension of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s super-soldier serum experiments. She-Hulk: Attorney At Law set up a more natural way for Ross’ Red Hulk transformation to take place. The Leader already has a history with Bruce Banner’s DNA, so he could easily help turn America’s new president into a Hulk after getting more of his blood.
Depending on how big of a role Red Hulk has in Captain America 4, Bruce Banner could even be featured as a red herring for general audiences. Sightings of a Red Hulk could lead to Bruce being questioned about his transformations and any new developments with his Hulk powers. It would only be later on that Captain America: New World Order reveals Thunderbolt Ross is Red Hulk, allowing a fight to then break out between the Hulks.
