Harrison Ford has been a busy man lately, and he’s only getting busier. Having already joined the Yellowstone prequel series 1923, Ford has now joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and his role may encompass several films.
His time playing Han Solo may be over, but Ford is stepping into the MCU in a big way. According to The Hot Mic with John Rocha and Jeff Sneider, Ford has signed on to play Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, replacing Oscar-winning actor William Hurt, who passed away in March at the age of 71 from prostate cancer.
Marvel Studios has not yet officially confirmed Ford’s casting, and the actor hasn’t commented on the reports, but multiple media sources have confirmed it.
With so many A-list actors having left their roles in the MCU, Marvel Studios is hoping to maximize Ford’s presence in upcoming films. The hope is that he will bring the gravitas actors like Samuel L. Jackson have brought to the franchise. Although some reports have detailed two films that he absolutely will appear in, Marvel intends to use Ford as much as possible, and in as many films and TV series as he is willing to appear in.
Ford’s first appearance as “Thunderbolt” Ross will be in Captain America: New World Order, which opens on May 3, 2024. He will then reprise the role in Thunderbolts, opening July 26, 2024.
Captain America: New World Order will feature a revamped cast, with Chris Evans bowing out of the role of Cap after Avengers: Endgame. Anthony Mackie, who took on the shield in the Marvel series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is in the lead role, and Tim Blake Nelson is expected to play The Leader. Danny Ramirez will play the new Falcon, and Carl Lumbly is reprising his role as Isaiah Bradley.
Thunderbolts is expected to star Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost. Reports say the character of Thaddeus Ross will have a “substantial role” in Thunderbolts, which is expected, as his character is an integral part of the Thunderbolts comic book story. Marvel Studios, however, intends to use Ford far more extensively than when William Hurt played the role. Thunderbolts, which is directed by Jake Schreier, will be the finale to Phase 5 of the MCU.
Harrison Ford will next be seen in 1923, premiering December 18 on Paramount+.