Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth film in the Marvel franchise, marks Anthony Mackie's debut as the lead, succeeding Chris Evans' Steve Rogers. While this film continues Captain America's MCU story, it significantly revisits and resolves plot threads from one of the earliest MCU films: 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 explore the history of these characters and why *Brave New World* functions as an *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, a character whose story finally culminates in Brave New World. In The Incredible Hulk, Sterns is shown as an associate of Bruce Banner, assisting in the search for a Hulk cure. Their face-to-face meeting reveals Sterns' overzealous experimentation with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, showcasing a less ethical approach than Banner's. This foreshadows his future.
Following Banner's capture, Blonsky coerces Sterns into transforming him, resulting in Sterns' injury and accidental exposure to Banner's blood. His subsequent transformation begins. Comic book fans recognize this as Sterns' evolution into The Leader, a gamma-powered villain with intellect matching the Hulk's strength. Brave New World finally delivers on this long-awaited transformation.
Sterns' whereabouts are revealed in the MCU-canon comic The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week, showing Black Widow placing him in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. He subsequently escapes and becomes central to the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. While his role remains largely undisclosed in marketing materials, his involvement in Ross' Red Hulk transformation and potential plans involving adamantium are likely. As The Leader, his enhanced intellect makes him a formidable threat to Captain America and Falcon.
Liv Tyler's Betty Ross
Another Incredible Hulk character returning is Liv Tyler's Betty Ross. The film revisits Betty and Bruce Banner's college romance and her role in Project Gamma Pulse, where she created the primer enabling Banner's survival and transformation. Betty's involvement in Banner's transformation fueled her father's hatred.
In The Incredible Hulk, Betty balances her relationship with Dr. Leonard Samson and her support for Banner, often conflicting with her father. Following Banner's disappearance, Betty faded from the MCU until Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War.
Tyler reprises her role in Brave New World, but her exact role remains unclear, absent from the film's marketing. Her relationship with her father, her expertise in gamma research, and the possibility of her becoming Red She-Hulk (as in the comics) remain open questions.
Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk
The most significant indication of Brave New World as an Incredible Hulk sequel is the central role of Harrison Ford's Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, succeeding William Hurt.
Ross's debut in The Incredible Hulk established him as an antagonist to Bruce Banner, overseeing Project Gamma Pulse and aiming to control the Hulk. His alliance with Emil Blonsky led to the creation of the Abomination. The film's final scene shows Ross' encounter with Tony Stark, further explored in the short film "The Consultant," revealing the World Security Council's attempt to recruit the Abomination.
Ross' subsequent appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, Infinity War, and Endgame showcase his evolution from General to Secretary of Defense and his involvement in the Sokovia Accords. Brave New World sees him as the President of the United States, a position likely influenced by the events of Secret Invasion.
Director Julius Onah highlights Ross' transformation from a "thunderous" figure to an "elder statesman" seeking reconciliation with his daughter and cooperation with the Avengers. However, the film depicts Ross' transformation into the Red Hulk following an assassination attempt. His motives suggest a desire to protect the country by creating a more tactical Hulk, potentially involving a deal with The Leader. The acquisition of adamantium also plays a crucial role in his plans.
The film explores the conflict between Sam Wilson and President Ross, and the conspiracy surrounding the Red Hulk transformation and the acquisition of adamantium.
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 ruled out, Banner's current status within the MCU, including his family of Hulks (Jen Walters and Skaar), might explain his absence. His potential involvement might be saved for Avengers: Doomsday.
