Secret Invasion, based on the comic series of the same name, is set to follow Nick Fury and Agent Maria Hill as they uncover a global conspiracy of shape-shifting alien Skrulls that have replaced the MCU's biggest characters. The series will have some groundbreaking revelations that will impact future MCU projects, with one of those possibly being Captain America: New World Order. Details about the fourth film are still under wraps, with the only confirmed details being that it will star Sam Wilson, as well as featuring The Leader. However, according to rumors, Thunderbolt Ross will also be a villain as President of the US.

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Where Thunderbolt Ross Is After Avengers: Endgame

Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross is one of the longest-running characters in the MCU, making multiple appearances since his debut in The Incredible Hulk. Although Ross was just a general when taking on Bruce Banner, the character has been climbing the ladder of the MCU's government. By the time of his appearance in Captain America: Civil War, Ross had become the Secretary of State, Avengers: Endgame.

The most recent appearance of Thunderbolt Ross in the MCU's timeline was in Avengers: Endgame, with the Secretary making an appearance at Tony Stark's funeral. Several years have ed since he's been seen, but according to rumors, Harrison Ford's Ross will become the MCU's President of the United States. For a character that has a history of anti-superhero tendencies, this is a potentially problematic position for the heroes. By the time Captain America: New World Order comes around, Ross will be in the Oval Office, and there are several ways that the MCU can explain this.

Why Ross Shouldn't Get Elected In Captain America 4

The clearest way for Thunderbolt Ross to become President in Captain America 4 is for him to get elected. However, this isn't the best for the film's story. If Captain America: New World Order features Ross' campaign, it would take up a big chunk of the story. Even if Ross is elected over the course of the film, it would mean that he is only in office for as long as the span of time that the film takes place over. Even as President, Ross couldn't do that much to negatively affect superheroes within his first few days in office, meaning that he couldn't be a very effective villain.

The second option is to have Ross get elected off-screen before Captain America: New World Order. While this would avoid the previously mentioned problems, as Ross very well could have been in office for a while, a whole new problem arises from this route. Having Thunderbolt Ross return to the MCU as President wouldn't feel right, as at least one MCU character should have mentioned that a former villain was running for President. It simply doesn't seem like there's a good way to have Ross' first time being President be in Captain America: New World Order.

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Secret Invasion Can Explain How Ross Became The MCU's President

The best option to explain why Thunderbolt Ross is President in Captain America: New World Order would be for him to become President in Secret Invasion. Currently, Ross is Secretary of State, meaning that he is fourth in line for the Presidency (after the Vice President, Speaker of the House, and President pro tempore). Since Secret Invasion will feature multiple major characters being revealed to be Skrulls, it's entirely possible that the MCU's current President and his first three successors are Skrulls. Then, Secretary of State Thunderbolt Ross would become President.

It's already known from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, meaning that there's probably a good reason for the MCU to bring a new one in. On top of that, the cast of Secret Invasion features government agents like Everett Ross, meaning that the Skrulls have probably invaded the government. Characters like President Ritsen are ideal for Skrull reveals, as they're big enough to have an impact, but they're not main characters.

Becoming President In Secret Invasion Would Allow Ross To Become Red Hulk Naturally

Considering that the character is being recast and brought back to the MCU, Ross will probably become Red Hulk at some point soon. Having Ross become President, turn into Red Hulk, and then act as a villain would be way too much to fit into Captain America: New World Order. Instead, having him get into office in Secret Invasion would allow this transformation to happen more naturally. Having more time in office would allow Ross to make connections with Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, as well as allow him to kick off the government super soldier programs that will give him Hulk powers.

Why President Ross Will Be A Villain In New World Order

Although Ross has become friendly with some heroes, ending the Sokovia Accords and appearing at Tony Starks funeral, he will undoubtedly return to his roots as a villain in Captain America: New World Order. His Presidency will most likely be marked by the anti-superhero policy that he has previously pushed for, and the return of The Leader will most likely reinvigorate his hatred for the Hulk, the hero that started him down his dark path. Some of this legislation may feature echoes of the Sokovia Accords, causing Captain America to leap into action.

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On top of his biases against superheroes that already exist, the events of Secret Invasion will most likely make President Ross even more distrusting of the MCU's heroes. To Ross, any hero could still be revealed to be a Skrull, meaning that none of them should be trusted. With so many of Ross' friends being revealed to be Skrulls in Secret Invasion, Preisdent Ross' villainous anti-superhero policies will make him even more of a threat in Captain America: New World Order.

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