Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross was confirmed for Civil War in early May. And the first thing everyone thought - or liked to think - was, of course, Red Hulk.
We developed here the theory, following a speculation started by We Are Wakanda. Slotting the Rulk in makes sense, all the more he could be used to bring back the Green Goliath.
In truth, the Hulk is not confirmed for the third installment of Captain America. But Mark Ruffalo teased his appearance once. And then he did it again.
So, if Thunderbolt hulks out in Civil War, we can expect the Hulk to show up. But we can think of it the other way round: if the Hulk returns for Civil War, it's almost certain William Hurt's General Ross will turn red and big.
And now the actor himself seems to add fuel to the fire. Hit 2 to see his latest comments on this matter!
William Hurt announces a different Thunderbolt
In an interview with IGN, this is how Hurt put in words his experience with playing Thaddeus Ross in The Incredible Hulk: "I loved playing Ross the first time because I was able to try and create an ego as big as the monster he was chasing. And one that was as warped too".
But there's some newness to the Thunderbolt he'll deliver in Civil War: this one "is different because it’s a different style. It’s a more modernized style. And what they’ve done is they’ve taken a character who was the Ross from the older film and made a new version."
Moreover, "This is a much newer Ross. A much different Ross. And I liked that a lot. I haven’t had a lot of time to understand it, but I’m doing the best I can. And they haven’t fired me yet".
So, OK, what does "new version" and "much newer Ross" mean? In yet another interview for WSJ, Hurt got into details, addressing the rumor Ross will turn into the Rulk:
"It’s very very different from [The Incredible Hulk], and the style is completely modernized ["¦] So, I’m not playing the graphic novel version of Thaddius Ross. I’m playing… a better suit."
Clearly the Red Hulk is a better suit. Bigger. Much more menacing. A character to match the Hulk in size and not only. But Hurt hesitates to confirm: "I don’t know, I wouldn’t mind feeling like I had that much power."
And he ends on a similar teasing note: "["¦] but I created Thaddeus originally as an ego the same size as the monsters. With the same degree of messed up-ness. Yeah, I’d love to have a shot at it".
In truth, everybody would. What do you think, guys? Is William Hurt encouraging us to hope he'll hulk out? Will we see the Red Hulk in Civil War? Have your say below via comments! And don't forget: stay tuned, we'll bring you the hottest scoop on all things Marvel!