Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth film in the Marvel franchise, marks Anthony Mackie's debut as the lead, succeeding Chris Evans. Intriguingly, this new chapter also significantly ties up loose ends from one of the MCU's earliest installments: it's essentially *The Incredible Hulk 2*.
From Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross to Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader and Liv Tyler's Betty Ross, let's delve into the history of these characters and uncover why *Brave New World* is a true *Incredible Hulk* sequel in all but name.
Captain America: Brave New World Debut Trailer Images
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Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader
The Incredible Hulk introduced Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, setting the stage for a future villain whose emergence finally materializes in Brave New World. In The Incredible Hulk, Sterns aids Bruce Banner, seeking a cure. Their face-to-face meeting reveals Sterns' overzealous experimentation with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, hinting at a lack of ethical boundaries—a crucial foreshadowing moment.
Following Banner's capture, Blonsky coerces Sterns into transforming him. Sterns is injured, and Banner's blood contaminates his wound, causing his head to swell and transform. Comic book fans recognize this as Sterns' evolution into The Leader, a gamma-powered intellect rivaling the Hulk's strength. Brave New World finally delivers on this long-awaited transformation.
Sterns' whereabouts are explained in the MCU-canon comic The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, showing Black Widow apprehending him for S.H.I.E.L.D. However, Sterns escapes and becomes central to the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. His exact role remains shrouded in mystery due to limited marketing appearances. He likely played a part in Ross's Red Hulk transformation, mirroring the comics. Sterns' potential interest in adamantium, a newly introduced MCU element, adds another layer of intrigue. As The Leader, his superhuman intelligence makes him a formidable threat to Captain America and Falcon.
Liv Tyler's Betty Ross
Nelson's Sterns isn't the only returning character from The Incredible Hulk. Liv Tyler reprises her role as Betty Ross.
Betty and Bruce Banner's college romance and her involvement in Project Gamma Pulse, where she created the primer saving Banner, are established in The Incredible Hulk. Her injuries during Banner's transformation fueled her father's hatred. In The Incredible Hulk, Betty balances her relationship with Dr. Samson and her aid to Banner, creating conflict with her father.
Banner's fugitive status and Betty's subsequent absence from the MCU—until her temporary erasure by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War—are explained. Tyler's return in Brave New World leaves her role largely uncertain, absent from the film's marketing. Will she reconcile with her father, leverage her gamma research expertise, or even become the Red She-Hulk, as in the comics?
Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk
Harrison Ford's Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, inheriting the role from the late William Hurt, is the most prominent indicator of Brave New World's connection to The Incredible Hulk.
Ross's debut in The Incredible Hulk portrays him as an antagonist to Bruce Banner, overseeing Project Gamma Pulse and aiming to create a Super Soldier Serum alternative. His relentless pursuit of controlling the Hulk, even at the expense of his relationship with Betty, is established. His alliance with Emil Blonsky leads to the creation of the Abomination.
Following the Harlem battle, Ross's encounter with Tony Stark in The Incredible Hulk's post-credits scene, further detailed in The Consultant, reveals the World Security Council's attempt to recruit the Abomination, thwarted by Stark.
Ross's subsequent MCU appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, Infinity War, and Endgame highlight his evolution as Secretary of Defense, his involvement in the Sokovia Accords, and his reactions to Thanos's snap.
In Brave New World, Ross's presidency, following the events of Secret Invasion, positions him as a figure responding to superhuman and alien threats. Director Julius Onah describes Ross's transformation from a "thunderous" figure to an "elder statesman" seeking reconciliation with his daughter and cooperation with the Avengers.
The film depicts Ross's assassination attempt and his transformation into the Red Hulk, seemingly without concealing his identity. His motivations likely involve protecting the country by creating a tactical Hulk variant through a Faustian bargain with The Leader. Control over adamantium further complicates his actions.
The film explores the geopolitical implications of adamantium and its potential for both positive and destructive applications. The central conflict revolves around Captain America's attempt to unravel the conspiracy and confront a Hulked-out President Ross.
Where Is The Hulk in Brave New World?
The absence of Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is the only factor preventing Captain America: Brave New World from being explicitly titled The Incredible Hulk 2. While a cameo isn't entirely ruled out, Banner's current circumstances—his merged Banner/Hulk persona, his role as a primary defender alongside Wong, and his newfound family of Hulks (including Jen Walters and Skaar)—suggest a possible off-world presence with Skaar, explaining his absence.
Any Banner appearance might be limited to a post-credits scene. His involvement would be relevant given Ross's Red Hulk transformation and Sterns' return. However, his current responsibilities and family life may explain his absence, leaving a full-fledged Avengers reunion for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.
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