Though the marketing for the film hasn't prominently featured him yet, fans have been aware since at least 2022 that Tim Blake Nelson will return as Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, in Captain America: Brave New World. Nelson first brought this character to life back in 2008's The Incredible Hulk and has been absent from the MCU until now. It's exciting to see Marvel finally addressing this long-standing plot thread, though it's unexpected to see The Leader pitted against Captain America rather than starring in a new Hulk film. However, this twist is precisely what makes The Leader a formidable opponent for Sam Wilson, as he's not the typical adversary Captain America would anticipate. Let's delve into The Leader's backstory and explore why he could be an intriguing villain in the next Captain America installment.
The Leader: Who Is Tim Blake Nelson's Character? ------------------------------------------------The Leader is undoubtedly one of Hulk's most iconic adversaries. Unlike other Hulk villains who aim to overpower the Jade Giant through brute strength, Samuel Sterns represents the intellectual counterpart to Bruce Banner. After being exposed to gamma radiation, his intelligence soared to match the Hulk's strength, positioning him as one of the most dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe.
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In The Incredible Hulk from 2008, Tim Blake Nelson portrayed a pre-transformation Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist aiding Bruce Banner in his quest for a cure. However, Sterns had his own agenda, believing Banner's blood could eradicate diseases and unlock human potential. His collaboration with General Ross resulted in Emil Blonsky's transformation into the Abomination. The film concluded with Sterns on the brink of becoming The Leader after his forehead was exposed to Banner's irradiated blood, leaving fans anticipating his return.
Expect Nelson's character to sport a new look when he reappears in Captain America: Brave New World.
The Return of the Leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The groundwork for a sequel was laid in The Incredible Hulk with the tease of Sterns' transformation. Yet, Marvel Studios has avoided producing another solo Hulk film due to Universal Pictures holding partial film rights. As a result, Hulk's narrative has unfolded within the Avengers series and Thor: Ragnarok, which explains the delay in Nelson's reprisal of The Leader. Bruce Banner's appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law saw him leave Earth for Sakaar, returning with a son, Skaar. Rumors suggested The Leader might appear in She-Hulk before becoming the main antagonist in Captain America: Brave New World. Although this did not happen, trailers indicate The Leader is manipulating other villains in the new film.
Why the Leader Is One of the Villains in Captain America 4
The inclusion of The Leader in a Captain America sequel might seem unusual, given his lack of direct conflict with Banner. However, his transformation and subsequent betrayal by General Ross could fuel a vendetta against the military and, by extension, the new President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford. The Leader might aim to tarnish Ross's reputation and discredit America on the global stage, making Captain America a prime target. Director Julius Onah emphasizes The Leader's danger stems from being an unexpected adversary for Sam Wilson.
"Actions have consequences, and that's what's so great about what the MCU has been able to build," Onah told IGN at D23 in 2022. "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 further noted that this confrontation will serve as Sam's first significant test of leadership, requiring him to rally what remains of the Avengers against an unconventional threat. "We saw what it means for somebody like him to take the shield," Onah said. "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."
Sam Wilson has faced some of the MCU's most formidable villains and emerged victorious, but The Leader's intelligence presents a unique challenge. Captain America 4 sets the stage not for the next Avengers film but for the Thunderbolts movie, suggesting The Leader's actions may undermine the Captain America symbol and usher in a darker era for the MCU.
What role do you think The Leader will play in Captain America: Brave New World? Share your theories in the comments below.
