Long rumoured and now confirmed, Harrison Ford will succeed the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in two new Marvel movies, Captain America: New World Order opposite Anthony Mackie, Shira Haas, Tim Blake Nelson and Carl Lumbly and later in Thunderbolts.
Ford’s Captain America casting had been in the rumor mill for some time, with The Ankler’s Jeff Sneider among those speaking to it of late. While the new film’s plot is being kept under wraps, Mackie will reprise his role as Sam Wilson, who assumed the mantle of Captain America in Disney+’s hit series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Julius Onah will serve as the pic’s director.
Ford’s General Ross is a top-ranking military official, first introduced in the Marvel comics in 1962, who comes to lead the team of anti-heroes known as the Thunderbolts. The actor assumes the role last played by Oscar winner William Hurt, in films ranging from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk through to 2021’s Black Widow, prior to his passing in March, aged 71.
Falcon creator Malcolm Spellman wrote the script for the upcoming superhero pic with the show’s staff writer Dalan Musson, and will produce alongside Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Captain America: New World Order is the fourth film set for Marvel’s Phase 5, with titles including Thunderbolts and Blade to follow. Pic’s slated for release on May 3, 2024.
Of course, before he joins the MCU we’ll be seeing Ford in 2023’s fourth Indiana Jones sequel out 30th June 2023.