On February 12, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) will face the Red Hulk in Captain America 4. This antagonist from Marvel comics will take his first steps on the big screen on this occasion, after having evolved for years in the MCU under the guise of General Ross. But how does the latter's strength compare to that of Bruce Banner, also in the casting of Brave New World ?
Soon the first appearance of Red Hulk in the MCU
Bruce Banner (not to be confused with Bruce Wayne!) is one of the six original Avengers of the MCU. Played by Mark Ruffalo, this superhero is recognizable at first glance: in fact, he transforms into a raging green monster at the slightest outburst of anger and/or excitement. As soon as his tension rises, this scientist turns into the Hulk, his super-powerful and uncontrollable alter-ego. There is a red version of the character in the comics: he is the father of Betty Ross, Bruce Banner's sweetheart, who we will rediscover in Brave New World in the guise of Harrison Ford (following the death of William Hurt, the first interpreter of the villain). Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross will now be President of the United States, and he will transform into the Red Hulk to take on Sam Wilson, and maybe even Bruce Banner, also on show!
First look at Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk in #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld pic.twitter.com/9omEnODEj5
— Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) https://twitter.com/CultureCrave/status/1811778707851477479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Red Hulk, a “failed” Hulk or more successful?
In the Marvel comics, as in the 2008 film, Thaddeus Ross has boundless hatred to the Hulk. After collecting samples of the gamma rays that transformed the peaceful scientist into a big green monster, the general volunteers as guinea pig of a clandestine military experiment intended to reproduce him in Hulk bis. He then in turn develops superhuman strength, now at the service of his own ambition – if he says he wants to protect his country by stopping the Hulk “threat”, he is in reality ready to do anything to quench his thirst for power. Unlike Bruce Banner, he controls his transformations, retains his military genius, he does not lose his mind by taking the form of his alter-ego. On the other hand, the angrier he is, the more extreme temperatures it reaches, which makes him very dangerous for those close to him.
How can Bruce Banner defeat Thaddeus Ross?
A thorny question, especially since in Marvel comics, the two Hulks are so close in terms of strength and powers that they each take turns winning the battles that oppose them. When Bruce Banner manages to gain the upper hand over the general, it is often thanks to his main weakness, which is also a strength, namely his body temperature. The Red Hulk rises temperature as he gets angry, and this exhausts him. As the degrees of his body climb, the villain becomes too hot, and he tires unnecessarily. In these moments of thoughtlessness linked to overwork, the Avenger can then knock him out and put him out of harm's way. When he has the help of his fellow superheroes, Hulk can also benefit from Scarlet Witch's psychic attackswhich Red Hulk is sensitive to. Bruce Banner had already succumbed to the powers of the Scarlet Witch in Age of Ultronand his enemy is no exception.
At any rate, Captain America 4 should declare a draw between the Hulk and Red Hulkfor the simple reason that Thaddeus Ross' team of anti-heroes will be the stars of the film Thunderboltsthe conclusion of phase 5 of the MCU in theaters on April 30, 2025. The President of the United States will therefore still be in his post after his confrontation with Sam Wilson, also it is predicted equal forces between him and our vigilantes... And you, what do you think?
