Captain America: Brave New World Is Secretly an Incredible Hulk Sequel

Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth installment in the Marvel franchise, marks Anthony Mackie's debut as the lead, succeeding Chris Evans. While the film continues Sam Wilson's Captain America story, it also significantly expands upon threads from one of the MCU's earliest entries: 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 explore why Brave New World functions as a long-awaited Incredible Hulk sequel.

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. Sterns, initially an ally to Bruce Banner, aids in the search for a Hulk cure. Their face-to-face meeting reveals Sterns' overzealous experimentation with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, hinting at a lack of ethical boundaries – a significant foreshadowing of his future actions. During Blonsky's transformation into Abomination, Banner's blood contaminates Sterns, initiating his transformation into The Leader.

Comic fans know this marks Sterns' evolution into a gamma-powered intellect, a match for the Hulk's strength. Brave New World finally delivers on this long-promised development.

Sterns' whereabouts are explained in the MCU-canon comic, The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, depicting Black Widow's capture of him. He subsequently escapes and becomes central to the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. His exact role remains shrouded in mystery, absent from most marketing materials. However, his involvement in Ross's Red Hulk transformation, as seen in the comics, seems likely. Sterns' potential interest in adamantium, a new element in Brave New World, further complicates the plot. As The Leader, his superhuman intellect poses a significant threat to Captain America and Falcon.

Liv Tyler's Betty Ross

Another Incredible Hulk character making a return is Liv Tyler's Betty Ross. Her history with Bruce Banner, their shared research, and her father's obsessive hatred of Banner are revisited. Betty's relationship with her father and her past with Banner are central to the story.

Betty's role in Brave New World remains largely unknown, absent from promotional materials. Will her relationship with her father, now President, have improved? Will her expertise in gamma research be utilized? The possibility of her becoming Red She-Hulk, as in the comics, adds another layer of intrigue.

Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk

Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, taking over from the late William Hurt, is a key indicator of Brave New World's connection to The Incredible Hulk. Ross's history, from his role in Project Gamma Pulse to his relentless pursuit of the Hulk, is integral to the narrative. His creation of the Abomination and his eventual recruitment attempt by Tony Stark are revisited.

Ross's subsequent appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame highlight his evolving role within the MCU. Now President, his election is likely influenced by public fear following the events of Secret Invasion.

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. However, a conspiracy leads to his transformation into the Red Hulk, a development mirroring the comics, though his transformation isn't concealed. Ross's pursuit of adamantium further fuels the conflict.

The film explores the potential of adamantium and its geopolitical implications, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative. The central question becomes whether Captain America can overcome this conspiracy and defeat a Hulked-out President Ross.

Where Is The Hulk in Brave New World?

The absence of Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is the only significant difference between Brave New World and a direct Incredible Hulk sequel. While a cameo isn't entirely ruled out, Banner's absence is notable.

Given Banner's evolution in the MCU, his involvement would seem logical. His newfound control over his gamma-powered alter ego, his role as a key Avenger, and his current responsibilities as a protector of Earth would suggest his interest in Ross's transformation and Sterns' reappearance. His relationship with Betty is also a potential plot point.

However, Banner's potential absence could be explained by his expanding Hulk family, including Jen Walters and his son, Skaar. His involvement with Skaar might explain his unavailability to aid Captain America. Any appearance might be limited to a post-credits scene. The full reunion of Earth's Mightiest Heroes is likely reserved for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.