Harrison Ford reportedly is in consideration to join Marvel's Thunderbolts, possibly as part of a Thunderbolt Ross recast. There has long been an expectation that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would eventually introduce a team of villains. Marvel Studios finally confirmed their intentions at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 by announcing a Thunderbolts movie. The theorization about the team's debut has hovered over the MCU for years thanks to the re-emergence of William Hurt as General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross in Phase 3. However, Hurt's passing earlier this year made it seem as though General Ross would not be seen again.
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The official announcement of the Thunderbolts movie team at D23 2022 seemingly backed this up. There was no mention of Thaddeus Ross having a role in the movie or Marvel's intention to recast the role. Instead, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige unveiled an ensemble cast that includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. With director Jake Schreier attached and a summer 2024 release date announced, it seemed as though this was the main Thunderbolts roster.
There is now a rumor that Harrison Ford could join Thunderbolts' cast as General Ross. Former Variety and Collider reporter Jeff Sneider revealed the information on his podcast, The Hot Mic. According to Sneider, Ford is or was being considered by Marvel to take over Hurt's role as General Ross in Thunderbolts. He even said that his source indicated it was a done deal before D23 but that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy stepped in to block the announcement to keep Ford's spotlight on Indiana Jones 5 instead of joining the MCU. Here is what he originally said:
Marvel has denied what I'm about to tell you and that's a matter of timing. Am I too early or am I too late? So the deal is multiple sources have indicated that Harrison Ford either is or was the studio's top choice to star in the Thunderbolts movie as General Ross himself because William Hurt passed away.
Harrison Ford's General Ross Would Be A Huge Win For Thunderbolts
Ford's Thunderbolts casting is still theoretical at this point, but it would be a huge win for the MCU Phase 5 movie if it happens. Ford is one of Hollywood's biggest stars thanks to his work in major franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, but he has never done a superhero movie. He would become Thunderbolts' most well-known cast member and could help the anti-hero team movie draw in a big crowd come July 2024. It would also continue Ford's great relationship with Disney.
Another plus of the news of Ford possibly joining Thunderbolts is the indication that General Ross – and Red Hulk as a result – is still part of Marvel's plan for the movie. The original roster announcement drew criticism because most of the members were just super soldiers. General Ross is a former soldier, but him finally becoming Red Hulk in the MCU would pay off over a decade of storytelling potential for Marvel. Now it just remains to be seen if Ford actually joins Thunderbolts and the MCU.