First Look: Harrison Ford’s Corrupt Thunderbolt Ross in Captain America 4 Trailer

The highly anticipated first trailer for Captain America 4, titled “Brave New World,” has finally been released, and it prominently features Harrison Ford as the newly recast Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.

From the outset, the trailer makes it clear that fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) need to get used to Ford’s new take on Ross, a role previously played by the late William Hurt since 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk.”

Sam Wilson, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, addresses this significant change. “I have to admit, I’m still getting used to the new look,” he remarks. Ford’s Ross responds with a characteristic quip, “They said to lose the mustache or lose the election.”

Despite their shared rocky history, Ross pitches an audacious idea to Wilson, proposing to make Captain America an “official military position.” This suggestion doesn’t sit well with Wilson, leading to an implicit agreement to disagree. Thunderbolt Ross advises Wilson to cooperate with him, hinting at further collaboration.

The trailer features a high-adrenaline chase scene at the White House. Sam warns Ross, indicating, “Your inner circle has been compromised.” Not long after, Giancarlo Esposito makes his first appearance, brandishing a weapon amid a backdrop of explosions. Though his character remains unidentified, this teaser certainly whets the appetite for more revelations.

The trailer underlines Sam Wilson’s ongoing struggle to measure up to the legacy of Steve Rogers. Toward the end, Ross doesn’t shy away from expressing his doubt, stating, “You may be Captain America, but you’re not Steve Rogers.” The trailer ends on a hopeful note as Sam asserts confidently, “You’re right, I’m not,” suggesting his journey towards fully embracing his unique identity as Captain America.

As the plot unfolds, the White House is attacked, and it’s up to Sam to save the day. Giancarlo Esposito’s enigmatic character appears again, strongly hinting he will be part of the critical confrontations Wilson will face.

The most exciting reveal comes at the very end of the trailer: the Red Hulk. This highly anticipated transformation confirms that Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross will indeed become the Red Hulk in “Captain America: Brave New World.” A dramatic scene shows him catching Sam’s shield mid-air and forcefully driving it into the ground, letting out an angry growl before his full transformation. This revelation puts to rest Ford’s prior evasive responses about the Red Hulk rumors.

The teaser promises that Captain America 4 will adopt a tone reminiscent of the political thriller style of 2014’s “The Winter Soldier.” Given how expansive the MCU has become over the past decade, “Brave New World” appears to be bringing the story back to a more grounded arena.

With tense music and a darker aesthetic than many past MCU projects, the trailer sets high expectations for the film. There are hints of complex twists and turns, notably through Esposito’s character and the revelation of the Red Hulk.

Anthony Mackie leads the star-studded cast as Sam Wilson/Captain America, with Danny Ramirez joining him as the new Falcon. The film also features Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, and Shira Haas, alongside Harrison Ford. Additionally, Liv Tyler will reprise her role as Betty Ross, daughter of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a character she previously portrayed in “The Incredible Hulk.”

Fans won’t have to wait long to see how this gripping story unfolds. “Captain America: Brave New World” will hit theaters on February 14, 2025.

Source: ClutchPoints