Why Exactly Is The New MCU Hulk Red?

Harrison Ford's Red Hulk is a new character in Captain America: Brave New World who seems to be a lot like a beloved Avenger, except for one striking difference. Even before he made an appearance in the MCU, the Hulk was one of the most well-liked Marvel characters. The big green angry giant has been the focal point of many television series, films, and cartoons, but because Universal Studios owns the rights to the character, the MCU has been limited in what it can do with him and his related characters.

But in recent years, the MCU has been able to introduce some of the related characters, including Bruce Banner's secret son Skaar (who hasn't returned yet) and She-Hulk, his cousin. Essentially functioning as a sequel to both The Falcon & the Winter Soldier and The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Brave New World takes things a step further. Importantly, the Red Hulk, one of the most well-known Hulk villains ever made, is also introduced in the sequel. However, what is the reason behind the appearance of Thunderbolt Ross's villainous Hulk? The Red Hulk is red; why?

Why the Red Hulk Is Red Is Not Explained in Captain America: Brave New World

There is no real explanation for why Ross gets red, even though Red Hulk's MCU origin is explained as part of The Leader's (Tim Blake Nelson) evil scheme and is accomplished through gamma-ray-tainted medication that Ross unintentionally takes. Anger is symbolized by the color red, and Thunderbolt Ross has always been a furious character, at least when it comes to his quest for Bruce Banner. That straightforward explanation might be adequate, but it's an odd detail to ignore. However, there have been other colored Hulks in the MCU.

There were plans to introduce the Gray Hulk to the MCU (most notably in Louis Leterrier's abandoned sequel to The Incredible Hulk), Happy Hogan changed into a purple Hulk in What if...? season 2, and the Abomination has a more yellowish hue. The Hulk rainbow is even more varied in the comics, with 11 different Hulk variations that include yellow, orange, black, blue, and silver. Fortunately, there is also an explanation for why Red Hulk is red in the pages of Marvel Comics.

Marvel Comics Describes the Reddening of Thunderbolt Ross

Despite having similar bodies and many of the same skills, the main distinction between the Hulk and Red Hulk is how each character acquired their abilities. Bruce Banner's body was altered and he became the Hulk as a result of direct exposure to an excessive amount of gamma radiation. However, the Hulk's own gamma-irradiated powers were purposefully manipulated to give Thaddeus Ross his abilities.

In the comics, Ross joined forces with the Intelligencia—the Leader, M.O.D.O.K., and Doc Samson—in an attempt to at last establish a rival powerful enough to defeat the Hulk. Once the Hulk was defeated, the Intelligencia replicated the Hulk's abilities and transferred them into Ross's body using cosmic rays and specialized equipment. The gamma radiation was diluted by this combination of techniques, which gave the Red Hulk its remarkable skin tone and a few other advantages and disadvantages that his competitor did not have.

Though Ross' metamorphosis produced a new Red Hulk, his daughter's death was the catalyst for his desperate deed that turned him into the Red Hulk. The MCU omitted all of those details, and the only mention of the Intelligencia was in She-Hulk, where they were able to replicate the Hulk's abilities and create the green HulkKing. Betty's death sent Ross into a downward spiral and led him to team up with the evil Intelligencia.

None of this explains why Ross' Red Hulk in the MCU is red, and cosmic rays are usually connected to The Fantastic Four, who have also not yet made an appearance in the MCU before their 2025 film debut. The conclusion of Captain America: Brave New World does, of course, raise the possibility that Red Hulk will make a comeback, and it's possible that his distinguishing characteristics will be examined when he gets more screen time.

How the Hulk's and Red Hulk's Powers Differ

Not only is Red Hulk different from the big green guy in terms of color, but he also possesses some very different abilities and powers. Unlike Banner, who is motivated by his rage, Red Hulk has the advantage of being able to change at will. But his rage also directly affects his body because it causes his skin to heat up to extremely high levels. He can manipulate and transfer this heat through touch, destroying anything he touches, but it can also make him overheat and lose concentration.

Furthermore, Red Hulk can conduct radiation and a variety of other types of energy. He has the ability to absorb enormous amounts of radiation and deplete opponents' energy attack power. He does, however, have some noteworthy flaws, most of which result from abusing his abilities. Red Hulk will revert to Ross if he overuses his powers, which was not the case in Captain America: Brave New World, even though Ross does not return to his human form after being knocked unconscious like Bruce does.