Marvel Theory Explains Captain America 4's Red Hulk Origin With A Major Connection To MCU Phase 1

President Ross' Red Hulk has a strong connection to an original MCU Phase 1 villain in this wild Captain America: Brave New World theory. Harrison Ford will be taking over from the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross, who will be reintroduced to the MCU as the new President of the United States. As well as evolving politically, however, Ross has also been confirmed to be transforming into the Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, though the origin story of the newest Hulk in the MCU is still a mystery.

The Red Hulk is only one villain expected to oppose Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson in Phase 5's upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Steve Rogers' successor will also battle the Serpent Society, led by Giancarlo Esposito's Seth Voelker, and the Leader, with Tim Blake Nelson reprising his role from 2008's The Incredible Hulk. The Leader has been speculated to have a crucial role in President Ross' transformation into the Red Hulk. A new MCU theory shared by Reddit user ZeekOwl91 explains exactly how the super-intelligent Samuel Sterns could instigate Ross' dramatic change into the Red Hulk.

Captain America 4’s Red Hulk Origin Story Is A Mystery

It's Unclear How President Ross Becomes The Red Hulk In The MCU

Trailers for Captain America: Brave New World have confirmed President Ross' huge change in the MCU's Phase 5, though this footage hasn't revealed how Ross becomes the Red Hulk. Popular theories have suggested that Tim Blake Nelson's Leader will have something to do with Ross' transformation, just as he did in Marvel Comics, as the Leader worked with MODOK to siphon energy from Bruce Banner's Hulk and feed it into Ross' body following 2007's World War Hulk event. This seems to be a likely narrative, but this story will still be altered for the live-action MCU.

Red Hulk's power set both in Marvel Comics and in the MCU is rather different to that of Bruce Banner's Hulk, suggesting President Ross' evolution into the Red Hulk isn't as straightforward as flooding him with gamma radiation. As well as having the superhuman strength of the Hulk, the Red Hulk also emits a huge amount of heat from his body, which grows more intense the angrier he becomes. This power has been seen in Captain America: Brave New World's trailers, suggesting the Red Hulk's origin story is more twisted than his veteran green adversary's.

President Ross May Already Have Super Soldier Serum In His Veins

Thaddeus Ross Almost Lost His Life Between The Incredible Hulk & Captain America: Civil War

ZeekOwl91's theory suggests that the Red Hulk's remarkable powers in the MCU could be caused by a secret enhancement already running through his body. William Hurt first portrayed General Ross in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, but didn't make his second appearance until 2016's Captain America: Civil War, where he was reintroduced as the Secretary of State. When speaking to the Avengers in Civil War, Ross revealed that he had triple bypass surgery five years prior after suffering a heart attack, but his recovery seemed to have been incredibly fast.

The theory notes that Thaddeus Ross' speedy recovery could have been expedited by Ross being injected with a version of the super soldier serum. Various iterations of this concoction have been used to enhance Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Karli Morgenthau and John Walker, among others, and President Ross could have been another secret recipient. Ross' growing political power would have made him a clear candidate to receive a super soldier serum, allowing his full recovery from his heart attack, but this could have huge repercussions for his evolution into the Red Hulk.

Red Hulk & Red Skull Have A Major Connection: MCU Theory Explained

Super Soldier Serum Could Explain Red Hulk's Coloring

Back in The Incredible Hulk, the super soldier serum that General Ross gives to Tim Roth's Emil Blonsky was developed by an enigmatic Dr. Reinstein, whom ZeekOwl91 theorizes worked alongside or is connected to Dr. Abraham Erskine. Erskine developed the super soldier serum that changed Steve Rogers into Captain America in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, and which also enhanced Johann Schmidt prior to being perfected. This connection could explain the Red Hulk's coloring, as the super soldier serum in President Ross could have the same effect as it did on Schmidt.

It seems logical to suggest that the super soldier serum could easily turn another recipient a bright red color as it already has done in the past. Johann Schmidt became the Red Skull, who was last seen guarding the Soul Stone on Vormir in Avengers: Endgame, while the Leader's manipulations on President Ross could combine with the super soldier serum already inside him to turn him into the Red Hulk. This could provide a clear and understandable explanation for the Red Hulk's differing appearance, while calling back to the MCU's original Captain America adventure.

What Captain America 4’s Possible Red Skull Connection Means For The MCU

Red Skull Could Still Be A Threat To The MCU's Captain America

The evolution of the super soldier serum has been a key aspect of several different MCU projects, and this theory suggests that Captain America: Brave New World will continue to develop this narrative. This would follow on perfectly from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which saw Sam Wilson embrace his new identity of Captain America. This would also help to better connect the MCU's Phase 5 to the early days of Marvel Studios' franchise, as the super soldier serum was a huge element of Captain America: The First Avenger.

The Red Skull's actions after Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame are unclear, but it seems he no longer needs to remain on Vormir as there is no more Soul Stone for him to guard. Transforming President Ross into the Red Hulk in the same way as Johann Schmidt became the Red Skull could create a strong connection between these two villains, and will continue to show the legacy of Captain America's first MCU villain in Captain America: Brave New World. It would be great to see the Red Skull return in the MCU's future, but only time will tell.