Marvel Studios
Warning: This article offers significant spoilers for “Captain America: Brave New World.”
The year 2024 was rather uneventful for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as only “Deadpool & Wolverine” made its way to the big screen. However, 2025 is shaping up to be much more action-packed with multiple MCU releases, starting with “Captain America: Brave New World,” which is currently playing in theaters. This movie plays a pivotal role in the MCU, especially with the introduction of Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross and the exploration of the Celestial from the “Eternals.”
Harrison Ford, renowned for his roles in “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones,” steps into the shoes of Thaddeus Ross, previously portrayed by the late William Hurt. In “Brave New World,” Ross ascends from war hero to the President of the United States. His primary objective is to ratify a treaty to distribute the newly discovered Adamantium from the Celestial in “Eternals” among nations, but things don’t go as planned.
Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, is revealed as the puppet master behind the scenes. Ross, under the influence of secretly administered gamma radiation, transforms into Red Hulk and wreaks havoc at the White House following an Adamantium-related international dispute in the Indian Ocean. Anthony Mackie’s Captain America steps up to control the situation, all under the watchful eyes of the world, proving Ross’ unfitness for the presidency.
This twist leads to an intriguing question that could significantly affect the future of the MCU.
What Happens to President Ross in “Captain America: Brave New World”?
Marvel Studios
In the aftermath of the Red Hulk incident, which resulted in extensive damage to the White House and other properties, Ross is unable to retain his presidential title. As the film nears its conclusion, Sam visits Ross at The Raft, an offshore prison first introduced in “Captain America: Civil War.” Here, Ross, the now-former president, is held as a testament to his dedication to the country’s welfare.
Sam Wilson praises Ross for willingly stepping down as the U.S. President. This change of power leaves us with the question: Who succeeds Ross? The identity of Ross’s Vice President was not revealed in “Brave New World,” leaving us in the dark about who now occupies the Oval Office. This is of significant importance as Ross was barely 100 days into his term. Whoever the successor is, they will have a long tenure and will decide what to do with the country’s share of the Adamantium, the Marvel universe’s most potent and valuable material.
Notably, Ross was the first significant MCU character to hold the U.S. presidency. We’ve seen William Sadler as President Ellis in “Iron Man 3,” but it was his first introduction. So, is the new POTUS a minor character, or does Ross’s resignation provide an opportunity for Marvel Studios to introduce a more prominent character in future films?
Who Succeeds Thaddeus Ross as the MCU’s President?
Marvel Studios
It’s plausible that the absence of Ross’s Vice President from the storyline is not a setup for a future reveal. The identity of the new U.S. President might be unveiled in this summer’s “Thunderbolts,” but it could merely be a mundane political figure instead of a significant Marvel Comics character.
However, if we consider it a setup for something more significant, the introduction of Adamantium into the MCU signals the arrival of the X-Men, given that it’s the material from which Wolverine’s claws are made. Could the new President serve as a link to the upcoming “X-Men” reboot within the MCU? There are feasible options, such as Senator Kelly, who was portrayed by Bruce Davison in the original “X-Men” films, or Henry Gyrich, a U.S. government liaison in the comics who briefly appeared in the films, played by Matthew Sharp.
While it’s a long shot with no supporting evidence, another possibility, albeit unlikely, is the MCU’s introduction of Norman Osborn through this narrative. One of Spider-Man’s fiercest enemies, the former Green Goblin, does become the U.S. President in the comics. Despite Sony controlling the “Spider-Man” franchise, making it highly improbable, we can’t rule it out completely. What we do know is that someone has filled Ross’s shoes, and they now wield considerable power.
For more insights on “Captain America: Brave New World,” tune into the /Film Daily podcast’s latest episode where my /Film colleagues discuss the movie in detail.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is currently screening in theaters.
FAQs
Who replaces President Ross in the MCU?
The identity of the person who succeeds Thaddeus Ross as the U.S. President in the MCU remains a mystery.
What happens to President Ross in “Captain America: Brave New World”?
In the aftermath of the Red Hulk incident, President Ross is deemed unfit for the presidency and is held at The Raft, a floating prison.
What is the significance of Adamantium in the MCU?
The introduction of Adamantium, used to make Wolverine’s claws, signifies the upcoming arrival of the X-Men in the MCU.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
