The Red Hulk is one of the established arch-enemies of the Hulk, our very dearest Bruce Banner we got to see so far on screen portrayed once by Edward Norton and twice by Mark Ruffalo (well, twice if you don't count the brief cameo in the post-credit scene of Iron Man 3).
The latest rumor about the third installment of Captain America brings the Red Hulk to our attention. It was started by We Are Wakanda and spread with twofold strength via MCU Exchange.
And if you think about it, it's plausible. Unconfirmed, but plausible nonetheless. Read below but do take this with a pinch of salt. As rumors go, this is particularly fetching.
How could the Red Hulk be slotted in Civil War?
Well, Marvel fans can easily connect the dots. The Red Hulk is the supervillain persona of General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.
And William Hurt was confirmed for Civil War: he'll reprise the part he played back in 2008 in The Incredible Hulk. The obvious question is: is it so blown up to believe General Ross will hulk-out in Civil War?
Remember there is a lot a bad blood between Ross and Banner, so the only way for Thunderbolt to come to blows with his son-in-law and actually stand a chance against him is to turn, well, red. And big!
There's one more thing: the strongest connection between the Avengers and Thunderbolt is precisely Bruce Banner: the General has a timeless bone to pick with Banner. He is part of the Hulk's mythology.
Do you actually think the Russos would have made room for Thunderbolt in Civil War just because they were hit by nostalgia? Is General Ross a merely decorative character?
If there's a catch to Thunderbolt's return, it has got to be that: becoming the Red Hulk is a matter of time for Ross, so why not do it in Civil War?
Why not? Well, that's actually a good question, "˜cause inviting the Red Hulk in Civil War must be extremely consequential.
What does that mean?
If the Red Hulk shows up, the obvious supposition is the Hulk will be there too. Because why else would Ross turn? However, Mark Ruffalo is not confirmed for Captain America: Civil War.
Moreover, the last Hulk scene in Age of Ultron made it pretty clear the Green Goliath made up his mind about leaving the world behind and setting his course on a life of solitude.
He would actually need a really strong reason to return to his fellow Avengers, and a threat like the Red Hulk is good enough.
Now, what do you guys say? Do you think the Russos will make room for the Red Hulk in Civil War? Would you like to see the clash between the two Hulks on screen?
Have your say below via comments! And don't forget: stay tuned, we'll bring you the hottest scoop on all things Civil War!