Marvel is digitally de-aging General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) in Black Widow, and here's why that could be important to the first Phase 4 movie. Ross was a seldomly-used character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe until Phase 3, when he returned in Captain America: Civil War and split the Avengers up. His push for the Sokovia Accords and the laws they established will directly affect Black Widow, as the Scarlett Johansson-led filmtakes place after Civil War.

Ross' return in Black Widow wasfirst revealed by set photos and later confirmed by the film's first trailer. Some dialogue from him was also heard in that trailer, but he was otherwise only in one scene. It was quickly noted that Ross had been de-aged, sparking speculation as to how far back in the MCU timeline Black Widow could go. The debate surrounding Ross' role has now been reignited with therelease of the final trailer, which once again shows him de-aged - but why? This technology would not be needed if Ross' role was only in the portion of the film set between Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.

Related:Black Widow Trailer Breakdown: 16 Story Reveals & Secrets

With that in mind, the de-aging of Ross points to Black Widow exploring points in Natasha's life and the MCU as a whole that pre-date Civil War. It also means that Ross has a role to play in these flashback sequences. It has already been confirmed that the moviewill explore Natasha's past, so Ross' de-aging may indicate thathe has hunted for her before. Since Natasha spent years as a Russian spy before her heroic turn and recruitment to SHIELD, Ross could be one of many characters to appear during these earlier points in her life. His first impression of Black Widow, in this case, could be wildly different depending on which version of Black Widow he meets.

Marvel has only revealed a few seconds of Ross' role in Black Widow to this point, but the most recent look could provide a clue as towhen the flashback takes place. This younger version of Ross is using a cane to walk, which he didn't use in The Incredible Hulk, Civil War, or his small appearances in Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. This could indicate that the scene takes place between The Incredible Hulk and Civil War, as Ross revealed in the latter that he previously had a heart attack. This scene may take place shortly after that health scare, so Ross has to use the cane until he fully recovers from his 13-hour triple bypass surgery.

Although any flashbacks that Black Widow features are likely to focus on Natasha or another main character, it appears that Ross will be included in them too. This gives the film a chance to also explore the former general's past, which could be used toplant seeds for his MCU future. Since he's barely been shown to this point, how and when Ross first encountered Natasha is one detail that fans might learn. However, it's also possible that Marvel Studios will use the de-aged Ross to show he has a past with Taskmaster too or his interests in forming the Thunderbolts. Simply put, there's a wide range of potential reveals to Ross' backstory that could come in Black Widow.

MORE:Black Widow Villain Taskmaster May Copy Iron Man In New Movie