Hulk's Villain, The Leader, in Captain America: Brave New World: Why?

Although the marketing for the film has kept him somewhat under wraps, it was confirmed back in 2022 that Tim Blake Nelson would reprise his role as Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, in Captain America: Brave New World. Nelson first brought this character to life in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, and fans are excited to see him back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after all these years.

It's intriguing that The Leader is being introduced as a Captain America villain rather than in a new Hulk movie. This unexpected twist is part of the narrative strategy, positioning The Leader as an adversary that Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, wouldn't anticipate, making him an exceptionally dangerous foe. Let's delve into The Leader's background and explore why he might be a fitting villain for the next Captain America film.

The Leader is traditionally considered one of the Hulk's greatest adversaries. Unlike most Hulk villains who rely on brute strength, Samuel Sterns offers a stark contrast to Bruce Banner. His exposure to gamma radiation dramatically enhanced his intellect, making him as brilliant as the Hulk is powerful. This unique trait positions him as one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Universe.

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In The Incredible Hulk (2008), The Leader's storyline was set up for future MCU developments. Tim Blake Nelson portrayed a pre-transformation Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist and ally to Bruce Banner, who was seeking a cure for his Hulk condition. Sterns, however, had his own agenda, synthesizing Banner's blood to unlock humanity's potential rather than simply curing the Hulk. This ambition led him to assist General Ross in transforming Emil Blonsky into the Abomination. The film concluded with Sterns' head swelling after exposure to Banner's blood, hinting at his transformation into The Leader.

The Return of the Leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Although The Incredible Hulk set the stage for a sequel featuring The Leader, Marvel Studios has avoided a standalone Hulk film due to Universal Pictures' ownership of the film rights. Instead, Bruce Banner's story has unfolded through the Avengers series and Thor: Ragnarok. This explains the delay in Nelson reprising his role as The Leader.

Bruce Banner, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, also appeared in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, where he left Earth in Episode 3 to resolve issues from his time as a gladiator on Sakaar. He returned in the season finale with his son, Skaar. Rumors suggested The Leader might have appeared in She-Hulk before transitioning to the main villain in Captain America: Brave New World. Although this did not happen, the trailers for Brave New World hint at The Leader orchestrating other villains' actions.

Why the Leader Is One of the Villains in Captain America 4

The inclusion of The Leader in a Captain America film rather than a Hulk movie is a strategic choice. Despite not having a direct grudge against Banner, his transformation and the subsequent betrayal by General Ross could fuel his desire for revenge. In Captain America: Brave New World, Harrison Ford takes over the role of now-President Ross from the late William Hurt. The Leader might aim to undermine Ross's reputation and the image of America, directly impacting the new Captain America, Sam Wilson.

Director Julius Onah has emphasized that The Leader's unexpected nature makes him a formidable opponent for Sam Wilson. In an interview with IGN at D23 in 2022, Onah stated, "Actions have consequences, and that's what's so great about what the MCU has been able to build. In this universe, in this world, things that people do come back in ways that are surprising and unexpected, and Tim Blake Nelson coming back as The Leader is such an exciting thing to explore because his story now is going to challenge Sam Wilson, our new Captain America, in a way that he never expected. So it's really, really thrilling. And I think a lot of things that got set up and established years ago will allow the MCU to actually go in new directions that audiences are going to really, really be excited about."

Onah also highlighted that this conflict will serve as a significant test of Sam's leadership, requiring him to rally the Avengers—or a new team—against a unique threat. He explained, "We saw what it means for somebody like him to take the shield. But it is also a very different MCU. It's a post-blip MCU. It's a post-Thanos MCU. So the world has changed a lot too. And the role of a hero has changed. What does that mean? The decisions he's going to have to make, and the situations he's going to be confronted with, are radically different from what Steve Rogers had to deal with. And as a result of that, because he's a leader now of this team, he's got to make decisions that are going to have massive implications. So the world has changed around him and he's a changed man, and I think that leads to some really exciting storytelling."

What role do you think The Leader will play in Captain America: Brave New World? Share your theories in the comments below.