Harrison Ford Purple Hulk has sufficient potential to be a recurring character after his introduction in Captain America: Courageous New Worldin contrast to many different MCU villains. Thaddeus Ross' story within the MCU took some time to succeed in its climax. Ross' journey started in 2008 The Unbelievable Hulkwas placed on maintain till 2016 Captain America: Civil Battleand briefly resumed in 2021 Black Widow earlier than Purple Hulk seems on the scene in 2025 Captain America: Courageous New World. On reflection, Thaddeus Ross's transformation into Purple Hulk might have been inevitable, regardless of the shortage of a solo Hulk movie and the mandatory recasting of Ross following the passing of William Damage.
Ross sides with the Chief and Intelligence to remodel into the Purple Hulk of the comics, however that doesn't appear to be the case in Captain America: Courageous New World. As an alternative of, Harrison Ford's President Ross seems to be an unwitting guinea pig for the Chief's experiments. Ford's Purple Hulk will star in no less than one action-packed struggle scene with Anthony Mackie's Captain America, however Captain America: Courageous New WorldTim Blake Nelson's true antagonist could also be Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, aka The Chief, though his evil plans have but to be made clear by the movie's trailers and promotional materials.
The MCU has wasted plenty of villains through the years
Many MCU villains have had one-off appearances regardless of their potential
The MCU has discarded most of its main villains since Section 1. Antagonists corresponding to Iron Monger, Malekith, Ronan, Yon-Rogg, and Gorr the God Butcher died in the identical movie during which they had been launched, and different villains corresponding to Abomination, Purple Cranium, and Ultron remained absent for a number of years earlier than Marvel discovered a solution to convey them again in smaller roles. A few of these antagonists made a greater impression than others, however it's clear that Proficient actors like Jude Legislation, Mads Mikkelsen and Christian Bale might have delivered performances pretty much as good as Josh Brolin and Tom Hiddleston. If solely the MCU had given them extra substantial roles.
Purple Hulk might turn out to be a hero after Captain America: Courageous New World
Harrison Ford's Purple Hulk might have a greater destiny than different MCU villains
Harrison Ford's Purple Hulk might simply be killed or imprisoned indefinitely after his first MCU look in Captain America: Courageous New World. Nevertheless, Marvel has the prospect to proceed their story in future movies. Within the comics, Purple Hulk leaves the Intelligencia and leads his personal model of the Thunderbolts, and later redeems himself by becoming a member of the Avengers. Purple Hulk replaces the unique Hulk in Bruce Banner's absence and participates in occasions as important as Avengers vs. X-Males. Contemplating Purple Hulk might not really be evil within the MCU, he might compensate for his lack of management by serving to the Avengers in a future battle.
The MCU stored Hulk as a supporting character for years, and Hulk-adjacent characters like Abomination, Betty Ross, and Doc Samson had been additionally left behind. Captain America: Courageous New World brings again Thaddeus Ross, Samuel Sterns, and Betty Ross, so it might be pure for them to keep up a major presence within the MCU afterwards. Marvel Studios might not have the ability to embrace them in a Hulk-centric movie because of Common's possession of the Hulk distribution rights, however characters like Purple Hulk and the Chief might proceed to seem in future MCU installments and have a protracted character arc of his personal regardless.