Marvel Studios has revealed the first look at President Ross' transformation into Red Hulk in the MCU, and it will likely feature some key differences from the original Hulk. As seen in trailers and promotions for Captain America: Brave New World, it's been revealed that Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross will finally become the Red Hulk, just like his counterpart in the original comics. To that end, there are some notable comic differences between the red and green Hulks that will likely transfer to the big screen.
Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann
Originally a general with a personal vendetta against Bruce Banner's Hulk, Ross debuted in 2008's The Incredible Hulk and eventually became Secretary of State as seen in future MCU appearances (originally played by the late William Hurt). Now, Captain America: Brave New World is set to debut Ross as the new President of the United States, played by Harrison Ford. However, it's also been confirmed that Ross will at some point transform into the Red Hulk in front of the White House itself. To that end, some key distinctions will likely be revealed between Red Hulk's transformations and the original Hulk's in the MCU.
How Red Hulk Transforms In The MCU (Is It Different To Hulk?)
In The Comics, There Are Some Differences
The difference between Hulk and Red Hulk is more than just color in the comics, and the same will likely be true in the MCU as well. On the page, Ross becoming Red Hulk was the work of the group known as Intelligencia, of which Samuel Sterns' The Leader was a member (and is set to return in Brave New World). Primarily using siphoned gamma radiation from the original Hulk, Ross was able to consciously transform himself into the Red Hulk at will, rather than his transformation being tied to anger like Banner and the Hulk.
Likewise, Ross has typically been in full control of his mind even as Red Hulk in the comics. This is unlike Banner who often had to give up control to the Hulk, effectively becoming a passenger in his own body. This had long been the case for Banner in the MCU as well, at least until Banner found a way to merge himself with the Hulk ahead of Avengers: Endgame (colloquially known as "Smart Hulk").
That being said, it does look as though the MCU's Ross is being forcibly transformed into the Red Hulk in front of the White House. To that end, it's certainly possible that Ross's Red Hulk will be debuting more like the classic Hulk as a full-on rage monster, one that will have to be stopped by Sam Wilson's Captain America (somehow). That said, the official footage only shows Red Hulk standing up, rather than showing a full transformation from start to finish. There may be new elements for the MCU version that have yet to be revealed.
How Red Hulk And MCU Hulk Are Different
Heat And Cosmic Energy (Not Just Gamma)
Beyond Red Hulk's ability to consciously transform at will, there are two other key elements from the comics that set Ross apart from the original. Firstly, the Red Hulk is also a product of cosmic energy, not just gamma radiation. In the same vein, his ability to absorb and expel multiple forms of energy is quite powerful as well.
Red Hulk also runs the risk of overheating as his more monstrous form has no way of self-regulating his body temperature (unlike the OG Hulk). This means that extended battles are far more challenging as Ross will continue to overheat, ultimately making himself more vulnerable the longer a fight goes on. That said, it's unknown if either of these aforementioned aspects will make their way to the MCU's Red Hulk who's set to debut in Captain America: Brave New World.
