Harrison Ford is now seemingly in a good position to become Red Hulk in Thunderbolts, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe could still deliver a Red Hulk without him. The announcement of an MCU Thunderbolts movie immediately raised questions about if Thunderbolt Ross would be involved and finally transform into Red Hulk. With a lineup filled with super soldiers and spies, Red Hulk's placement on a Thunderbolts roster would increase the team's strength and diversify the power sets in a much-needed fashion. The recasting of Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross for Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts only reignited those hopes.

After waiting over 14 years for Marvel to turn Thunderbolt Ross into Red Hulk, the Harrison Ford recasting further highlights the missed opportunity that came with the character. The MCU played any Thunderbolt Ross/Red Hulk storyline too slow, and a transformation by Harrison Ford's iteration might only be a one-time affair. Thankfully, there is another option for who could carry the Red Hulk mantle in the MCU. Thunderbolts could already have its Red Hulk as part of its cast with Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. With She-Hulk playing into the popular theories about Red Hulk's arrival, the reveal that Valentina is actually Red She-Hulk and an active part of the Thunderbolts team would be incredibly fun.
Why Valentina’s Red She-Hulk Is Better Than Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk

Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross becoming Red Hulk at this point would only be an opportunity for Marvel Studios to pay off something that should have happened a long time ago and with a different actor. That is why it would be better for the MCU to make Valentina a Red She-Hulk. She is already confirmed to be part of the Thunderbolts team in some fashion. While it was thought that Valentina would be the team's version of Nick Fury, it would be a clever twist for Marvel to reveal that she is actually the Thunderbolts' most powerful member. It would immediately recontextualize her past appearances and be a way for Marvel to combine several comic characters and ideas into one.

Thunderbolt Ross is the most notable Red Hulk in the comics, but there are other people who have held the mantle. This includes Ross' daughter Betty Ross becoming Red She-Hulk. Since it seems increasingly unlikely that Liv Tyler's Betty Ross is coming back, much less as a superhero, the Red She-Hulk mantle is up for grabs. Having Valentina become Red She-Hulk would surprise general audiences and comic readers alike, all while giving Julia Louis-Dreyfus another fun side of the character to explore. Furthermore, it seems she is more likely to be willing to wear a motion-capture suit than Harrison Ford's General Ross would be.
How Can Valentina Be Red She-Hulk? Does She Have Powers Already?

It would be potentially very easy for the MCU to reveal that Valentina is Red She-Hulk in Thunderbolts, regardless of if she has powers already or gets them in the movie. The Leader's return in Captain America: New World Order could be used to explain a past or current gamma transformation for Valentina. Marvel could even build on She-Hulk's Intelligencia plot and reveal that she was even working with the group to get She-Hulk's blood for herself. With the MCU making it easier for more people to gain Hulk powers, the idea of Val becoming a Red She-Hulk and fighting alongside the other anti-heroes in Thunderbolts is not far-fetched.

Next: There's Compelling Evidence Red Hulk IS Coming To The MCU

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