Captain America star will return in Thunderbolts, reports say

Marvel Studios has a lot of intriguing titles on the horizon, which could very well help it set up the next generation of heroes (and villains) at the forefront of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Captain America: Brave New World will see Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson lead the charge as the next Star-Spangled Man With A Plan, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps will officially introduce Marvel's First Family into the MCU.

Perhaps the most intriguing of the upcoming titles, however, is Thunderbolts*. Essentially described as Marvel's answer to the Suicide Squad, the titular team will feature a number of beloved MCU characters such as Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian as they form an unlikely team to stop a threat they can't fight alone.

However, it turns out that another major MCU character might be in it after all. And given the title of the movie, that's not really that surprising.

Harrison Ford could appear in Thunderbolts*

Harrison Ford is now expected to appear in Marvel's Thunderbolts*, reprising his Captain America: Brave New World role as President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. The announcement was made in an article from Variety, which was very quickly noticed by fans.

What's interesting is that prolific Marvel insider Daniel Richtman says that the article made a mistake and that he won't be in the movie. However, the character had been linked to the movie before via rumors and reports, with actor David Harbour appearing surprised that his potential involvement was public knowledge during an interview with ComicBook.com, telling the outlet that he wouldn't speak about it because he doesn't "think he's been announced in the movie". Fans have now taken to be a confirmation that the actor will appear in the film.

Ford takes over the role from the late William Hurt, after the legendary actor passed away in 2022. Hurt originated the role in 2008's The Incredible Hulk before going on to reprise it in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, 2019's Avengers: Endgame and 2021's Black Widow.

Throughout his appearances, fans wondered if the character would ever evolve into the Red Hulk, particularly because he had been introduced as a foe for Bruce Banner's Hulk. Now that will happen as the trailer for Captain America: Brave New World confirms that the former general and Secretary of State has become the President, and that he will be transforming into his large, red, comic book counterpart.

It's been heavily speculated that the character's involvement in the MCU will continue to be long-term, with rumors of a World War Hulk-esque storyline developing as one of the Multiverse Saga's subplots. While that has yet to be confirmed by Marvel Studios, Ross' apparent return in Thunderbolts* could very well play into that, as it sounds like he will continue to be involved in the franchise going forward. Red Hulk may not be the endgame here, simply the beginning of a new chapter.

We'll have to wait and see where this rumor goes, but for now it looks like we'll get to see Harrison Ford in the role of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in two movies in 2025. That, and the Red Hulk transformation, is a heck of a way to make an entrance!