It’s so awesome how Harrison Ford is down for anything these days. Another Indiana Jones movie? Send it. Flexing incredible comedic chops in the Apple TV+ show Shrinking? Let’s get it. A couple epic returns to the role of Han Solo? Why not. Then of course there’s the Yellowstone prequel series, 1923.
Now, in a multilayered meta stunt casting maneuver by Marvel Studios, Ford is starring in Captain America: Brave New World as President Thaddeus Ross, taking over the role from the late William Hurt. Not only that, but Ford gets to rage out as Red Hulk! You don’t see it till the end of this initial teaser trailer. That’s a good thing, as you don’t want to show too much, especially given the somewhat lukewarm reception around Marvel projects compared to their heyday of churning out can’t-miss hits.
Enter a brave new world.
Marvel Studios' #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld, only in theaters February 14, 2025. pic.twitter.com/VsctG7Owwc
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 12, 2024
Anthony Mackie is the titular character, so let’s not lose sight of him. The Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Avengers: Endgame set the stage for Mackie to take up the shield once held by Steve Rogers. Ford even makes reference to the fact that Mackie’s character Sam Wilson ain’t no Mr. Rogers. But of course, the teaser begins by acknowledging Ford’s recasting. There’s the first level of previously mentioned meta. Even better? Ford was once the Commander in Chief in the movie Air Force One. Pretty cool to see him step into those shoes again — and get to Hulk out in the process.
Check out this poster, too! If Ford’s Red Hulk could ever somehow share the screen with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, that’d have the chance to be comedy gold on a scale almost impossible to mentally process.
Marvel Studios' #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld. Only in theaters February 14, 2025. pic.twitter.com/YSzK93zVtH
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 12, 2024
Circling back to Mackie, though. I’m having a hard time seeing him as Captain America, too. Has nothing to do with Mackie’s acting ability. It’s more that Captain America is so defined by Super Soldier serum that it’s odd to see basically a militarized, public-facing Batman trying to do battle against whatever forces are at play. Sure seems like Giancarlo Esposito is playing some kind of villain. That man is everywhere. Never a bad thing to see Gus Fring/Moff Gideon/Stan Edgar on the screen.
The silver lining to that is the tone of Brave New World looks a lot more like one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s very best entries, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I get a lot of those paranoid political spy thriller vibes from this teaser, and you can even see that part of the plot revolves around an assassination attempt on President Ross.
I feel like the trailer could’ve done just as well to hold out on the quick Red Hulk reveal. Oh well. It’s stirring plenty of excitement, and I’ll be fascinated to see how and why President Ross resorts to Red Hulking. Will he be the villain? What happens to his claim to the presidency once he transforms? Intriguing questions abound. Here’s hoping Brave New World slaps. Ford’s involvement alone is plenty to pique my interest.
