Spoilers forCaptain America: Brave New World!Earlier this year, the MCU released the latest chapter ofCaptain America’s live-action adventures in February’sCaptain America: Brave New World, with the original Falcon, Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, donning the suit and shield for a story that pitted him against President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’Red Hulk, played by Harrison Ford. Trading blows in the film’s finale,Sam Wilson eventually took down Red Hulk afterimmenseeffort, but only because the MCU nerfed this crimson character’s signature superpower.
Underperforming at the box office but finding new life on streaming,Captain America: Brave New Worldwas met with middling reviews from critics and fans alike, yet when it came to the main draw of the film — aCaptain America vs. Red Hulk fight— the movie delivered, even with some questionable elements as to how the battle played out. Defeating Red Hulk thanks to the unique energy absorption and redirection qualities of his vibranium wings and Rulk’s humanity momentarily breaking through,Sam Wilson would never have survived this brawl if the MCU was serious about Red Hulk’s comic-accurate heat-based powers.
Red Hulk’s Heat-Based Powers Were Severely Underrepresented and Underused in Captain America: Brave New World
Red Hulk Briefly Channeled Heat in the Movie, but It Wasn’t Significant
Introduced as amysterious new version of the Hulkin 2008’sHulk #1by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness, it wasn’t revealed that Red Hulk was General Ross until later, with his most recent appearance spinning out of Marvel’sOne World Under Doomevent in the form of a Red Hulk solo series. Matching Bruce Banner’s strength while transformed and also retaining his intelligence, Red Hulk further sets himself apart from his green counterpart in a unique way asthe angrier Rulk gets, the hotter he burns — literally — with this fiery power being severely dumbed down in the MCU.
Capable of generating intense heat that strengthens him and burns everything he touches,Red Hulk is often compared to a “nuclear furnace,” with the power’s thermal radiation being an effective tool against any foe, Hulk, A-Bomb, and Thor included. Weakening Ross as it overheats him, the MCU could have used this drawback to more accurately portray Red Hulk’s powers while still allowing Sam Wilson’s vibranium-backed victory. Very little was seen ofRulk’s heat powers inBrave New World, but it stands to reason that had Ross been given full access to his sweltering abilities, Cap wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Sam Wilson’s Vibranium Wings in Captain America: Brave New World Might Not Have Stopped Red Hulk at His Hottest
Red Hulk Could Get a Power Upgrade if He Returns to the MCU
While it’s true in Marvel Comics’ Earth-616 continuityvibranium is near impossible to meltvia conventional means, in the original Ultimate Universe — an alternate reality that the MCU borrows heavily from — vibranium was far more susceptible to extreme heat and duress, making it a plausible theory thatif the MCU’s Red Hulk took a cue from the Ultimate Universe, he could have slagged Sam’s wingsand ended the fight. Though the MCU’s outcome may have made sense for the film,Brave New Worldmost definitely downgraded Red Hulk’s powers, with the extent of Ross’ fiery abilities going unrecognized for now.
Fortunately, Red Hulk’s heat powersdidmake it intoCaptain America: Brave New Worldin some capacity, and considering the debut of Red She-Hulk is now in the cards with Betty Ross’ cameo at the end of the film,there’s no reason why the MCU can’t add even more comic-accurate elements by dialing up Ross’ temperatureto do his comic book counterpart real justice. There’s no confirmation on whetherRed Hulkwill return to the MCU to challengeCaptain Americaor if Ross will ever unleash his full comic-accurate heat powers, so for now, Sam Wilson’s vibranium wings are safe.
Captain America: Brave New Worldis now available to stream on Disney+.
