MCU: 10 Returning Characters We're Most Excited About
3. Thunderbolt Ross
People sleep on Thunderbolt Ross. He's silently been a nefarious, antagonistic force since the beginning, with long hiatuses between appearances.
In The Incredible Hulk, he was still a general, his pursuit of the super soldier serum being directly responsible for the creation of the Hulk (as well as Abomination). In Civil War, he had ascended to the rank of Secretary of State, and he slapped the Avengers with the Sokovia Accords. He has long been a Draconian presence, seeking to enforce order wherever he can.
He is slated to appear once again in Black Widow, which is set between the events of Civil War and Infinity War. His exact role is still a mystery, but rumors have long swirled that he will be there to establish the Thunderbolts, possibly with Zemo, Ghost, and Abomination in the roster. That alone is exciting, but there are other rumors to get hyped about. That's right: he is rumored to become Red Hulk at some point.
Red Hulk was actually planned for Civil War, but the Russo brothers ultimately cut his part. In the words of Kevin Feige (referring to Beta Ray Bill), "If you can't do it justice, do it later." Well, it's "later", Kevin! Make it happen!