Liv Tyler is officially returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Betty Ross in Captain America: New World Order. The fourth entry in the Captain America franchise sees Anthony Mackie step up as the lead of the film. Sam Wilson's first solo movie is making some surprising connections to the MCU by relying heavily on The Incredible Hulk. Marvel Studios previously confirmed plans for The Incredible Hulk's The Leader (Samuel Sterns) to be Captain America: New World Order's villain. It was also announced that Harrison Ford will play President Thunderbolt Ross in a piece of recasting after William Hurt's death.

Now, it has been revealed by THR that Captain America 4's cast includes Liv Tyler, who is returning as Betty Ross 16 years after her only appearance as the character in The Incredible Hulk. Liv Tyler starred opposite Edward Norton in the second MCU movie as Bruce Banner's love interest and Thunderbolt Ross' daughter. Since her last MCU appearance, Liv Tyler has kept busy starring in The Leftovers, Harlots, and 9-1-1: Lone Star on TV, as well as a role in Ad Astra.

Why It Took The MCU So Long To Bring Back Liv Tyler's Betty Ross


The decision to bring Liv Tyler back as Betty Ross for Captain America: New World Order comes after nearly two decades of questions about her potential return. Uncertainty about her MCU future increased once Marvel recast Hulk and replaced Edward Norton with Mark Ruffalo. This led to a separation between Hulk's MCU story and what was presented in The Incredible Hulk. None of the movies supporting characters returned until William Hurt reprised his role as Thunderbolt Ross in Captain America: Civil War.


Without The Incredible Hulk 2 happening and Bruce Banner's love life largely being forgotten about, there was not a place for Betty Ross in the MCU. Marvel Studios has made a more conscious effort to reclaim The Incredible Hulk's place in the MCU recently. In addition to Thunderbolt Ross' various cameos, Abomination (Tim Roth) returned in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. The later announcement of The Leader's return in Captain America 4 also showed signs of how Marvel wanted to finally start utilizing characters like Betty Ross that had been forgotten.

A solo Hulk movie might still only be the subject of rumors, but Captain America 4 bringing back Liv Tyler's Betty Ross strengthens the movie's ties to The Incredible Hulk. With a storyline that likely involves the super soldier serum used to help create Hulk and Abomination, Betty Ross' role could be quite substantial. It might even mean her meeting Mark Ruffalo's Hulk. In any case, Captain America: New World Order will finally provide some answers about what happened to Betty Ross.