Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross returns to theMCUinCaptain America: Brave New World, his largest role yet. Ross has an interesting MCU arc that has largely happened offscreen. He debuted as General Ross in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulkand returns as the Secretary of State in 2016’sCaptain America: Civil War. After the events of that film, Ross led the hunt for the Avengers whoviolated the Sokovia Accords, making brief appearances inBlack WidowandAvengers: Infinity War.
Thunderbolt has his most powerfulMCU role inBrave New Worldas the newly elected Presidentof the United States. Ross has done many things, right and wrong, during his military tenure, earning him several illustrious nicknames. He’s best known as Thunderbolt and there’s a history behind this nickname in Marvel Comics. However, there’s another nickname he’s called inBrave New World, which is much less flattering and backfires on him in a brutal hit of irony.
How Thunderbolt Ross Gets His Nickname In Marvel Comics
In Marvel Comics, Ross' military history dates back to his childhood. He grew up in the 1950s and had a strong family connection to the military. Many of his relatives had fought in previous wars, such as the American Civil War and World War I. His father spent most of his time in the army, but would tell him stories of his acts of heroism abroad. After his father’s death, Thaddeus was inspired to join the military and enlisted once he was of age.
Captain America: Brave New World’s 70 Marvel Easter Eggs & References Explained
Captain America: Brave New World features a large collection of exciting Easter eggs, references to the greater MCU, and some great cameos.
He quickly rose up the ranks,becoming a Captain and earning the nickname “Thunderbolt” during a fight in the South Pacific for his tendency to strike like thunder. He continued his military climb, becoming a major, a lieutenant, and, eventually, a general. During his time as general, he was assigned to build a gamma bomb, recruiting ascientist named Bruce Banner. Unsurprisingly, the experiment went wrong. Banner was soaked with gamma radiation, turning him into a green, rage monster, and the rest is history.
MCU Ross’s “Thunderbolt” Is Never Explained (But He’s Given Another Nickname)
President Ross is referred to as “Thunderbolt” inCaptain America: Brave New World, but his MCU nickname has never been explained. It’s a cool nickname that adds to his legendary military status, but it’s never been addressed, even inThe Incredible Hulk. However, he’s also called “Hulk Hunter,” a more scathing indictment of his legacy. In the MCU, Ross' work with gamma radiation was intended to recreate the super soldier serum. After the experiment went wrong, Ross led the hunt for Bruce Banner with a mission of weaponizing the Hulk.
This hunt was a massive misstep in his career, leading to the Abomination’s battle with the Hulk that destroyed part of New York City and a strainedrelationship with his daughter, Betty. “Hulk Hunter” is used as an insult inBrave New World, and it looks even worse once he transforms into the Red Hulk. His legacy haunts him, and it’s an essential part of his character arc in the film. It’s still unclear why he’s called “Thunderbolt” by the end ofCaptain America: Brave New World, or how it connects to theThunderbolts*movie, but “Hulk Hunter” is very relevant.
