Liv Tyler is returning to the MCU in Captain America: New World Order, so what has Betty Ross been up to in the 16 years since The Incredible Hulk?
Betty Ross is finally coming back to the MCU, and her life must have changed significantly since The Incredible Hulk. It was recently confirmed that Liv Tyler is returning in Captain America: New World Order, which is scheduled to debut in theaters on May 3rd, 2024,16 years after Tyler’s last (and only) outing as Ross. The film’s relative quality, lack of a sequel, rights issues with Universal, and subsequent recasting of Mark Ruffalo over Edward Norton all doomed The Incredible Hulk’s standing in the franchise. Thankfully, however, it seems that the movie will finally enjoy more ties to the MCU.
Liv Tyler’s return is just the latest in the MCU’s reintegration of The Incredible Hulk. Aptly, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law both brought Abomination (Emil Blonsky) back into the mix. More significantly, Captain America: New World Order is basically becoming The Incredible Hulk 2 since Betty’s father, Thunderbolt Ross is returning – now played by Harrison Ford after the passing of William Hurt – in a significant role, and Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns is finally becoming the Leader. Given her relatively minimal life in the MCU, it’s interesting to consider what Tyler’s fateful return means for Betty Ross’ future.
Betty Ross’ MCU History Explained
As a part of The Incredible Hulk’s cast, Liv Tyler is among the MCU’s first major characters. Yet, given the character’s subsequent absence, her return could cause confusion about the relationships she has with characters in Captain America: New World Order. Betty is an old friend and ex-girlfriend of Bruce Banner, having met and fallen in love together while studying at Harvard University. Together she and Bruce then began to work at Culver University, as seen in The Incredible Hulk. She specialized in cellular biology, while his focus was on biochemistry and nuclear physics.
Their story together began to take a dark turn when her father stepped in. Both Bruce and Betty were involved in his attempts to recreate Abraham Erskine’s Super Soldier Serum that created Captain America – believing they were working on a cure for radiation poisoning. She was the primer through which a body could temporarily absorb gamma radiation, and so it’s thanks to her that when he injected himself with the gamma radiation, he was able to survive – although there’s no way she could’ve foreseen the disastrous consequences. He transformed into the Hulk for the first time and attacked her.
When Bruce returned after four years away, he found that she had moved on from him and began dating Leonard Samson (Modern Family’s Ty Burrell) – whom avid comic fans will know better as Doc Samson, an ardent Hulk ally. His return invited danger back into her life as her father aimed to hunt down Bruce, but she still tried to help him find a cure, which brought them to Samuel Stern. Everything culminated in the Battle of Harlem when Abomination and Hulk squared off. She was able to hold him back from killing Abomination, but their time together had come to an end, and he returned to his self-imposed exile.
What happens next after The Incredible Hulk, unfortunately, is far less detailed. While Bruce came back in The Avengers and her father in Captain America: Civil War, she was left to live her life completely off-screen and out of the conversation. A Huffington Post interview with the Russo Brothers revealed that Betty Ross was among the victims of the Blip and subsequently returned 5 years later. Presumably, she continued her work at Culver University, and maybe her relationship with Samson progressed, but only Captain America: New World Order can fully confirm what her life was like after parting ways with Bruce in The Incredible Hulk.
What Does Betty Ross’s Return Mean For Captain America 4?
It’s still too soon to know the full extent of Betty Ross’ role in Captain America: New World Order. Meanwhile, her father is supposedly a central figure as he will become president, and that must play into Captain America: New World Orders’ story that possibly revolves around the rise of superpowered individuals around the world. She could just be returning as his daughter, but Betty’s experience as a scientist with gamma radiation could be important to The Leader’s role and plans. As such, Betty has the potential to be a central figure in Captain America: New World Order, but that doesn’t mean she will in the end.
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Captain America: New World Order is already shaping up to be a secret Hulk movie, but it’s important to remember whose film this really is. It’s Sam Wilson’s first as Captain America, and it would be a disservice to give too much focus to others like Betty. Therefore, while it is plausible, Betty Ross’s role will likely be respectively minimal so it doesn’t take away from Sam’s story. Naturally, this puts a damper on speculation of more fantastical stories for Betty, like becoming Red She-Hulk or the Harpy. Thunderbolt Ross may actually become Red Hulk, but her transformation may be a step too far at this time.
However, Betty’s return after all these years, in tandem with the Leader’s and her father’s roles, can all help set up an actual The Incredible Hulk sequel. The MCU has laid the groundwork for one elsewhere – most predominately in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law when Hulk returned to Earth with his son, Skaar. However large her role is, Captain America: New World Order will be a significant push forward for this cause, and in doing so, it can finally make The Incredible Hulk a true part of the MCU.
