"Captain America Film Revealed as Hulk Sequel"

*Captain America: Brave New World* marks a pivotal shift in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as it introduces Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, taking the reins from Chris Evans' Steve Rogers. This fourth installment not only continues the Captain America saga but also ties up loose ends from one of the earliest MCU entries, effectively serving as a sequel to *The Incredible Hulk*. From Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thunderbolt Ross to the return of Tim Blake Nelson as The Leader and Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, let's delve into the histories of these characters and understand why *Brave New World* is essentially *The Incredible Hulk 2* in disguise.

Captain America: Brave New World Debut Trailer Images

4 ImagesTim Blake Nelson’s The Leader

The Incredible Hulk set the stage for a major antagonist in the Hulk's universe with Tim Blake Nelson's portrayal of Samuel Sterns. This character's transformation into The Leader, teased in the 2008 film, is finally being realized in Brave New World. Initially, Sterns collaborates remotely with Edward Norton's Bruce Banner to find a cure for the Hulk. However, their face-to-face meeting reveals Sterns' ambitious and somewhat unethical approach to their gamma research, hinting at his future as a villain.

In the film, after Banner's capture, Emil Blonsky coerces Sterns into transforming him into another Hulk-like creature. During this process, Sterns is injured, and Banner's gamma-irradiated blood seeps into his wound, causing his head to begin swelling and transforming—a clear sign of his evolution into The Leader. Despite this setup, it's only now in Brave New World that the MCU is revisiting this storyline.

Following his transformation, Sterns was taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, as depicted in The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, a comic book canon to the MCU. However, he managed to escape and now plays a crucial role in the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. While details about his involvement remain scarce, it's plausible that Sterns influenced Ross' transformation into Red Hulk, as seen in the comics. Furthermore, with the introduction of adamantium in Brave New World, Sterns, now superhumanly intelligent as The Leader, might exploit this new resource to further his plans, posing a significant threat to Captain America and Falcon (Danny Ramirez).

Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross ----------------------

In addition to The Leader, Brave New World sees the return of Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, marking her first appearance in the MCU since The Incredible Hulk. Betty and Bruce Banner's romantic history began in college, where they also worked together on Project Gamma Pulse. Betty's creation of a primer was crucial for Banner's survival during his transformation into the Hulk, but she also suffered injuries during the incident, straining her relationship with her father, General Ross.

By the time of The Incredible Hulk, Betty had moved on with Dr. Leonard Samson, but she quickly comes to Banner's aid when he resurfaces. Despite their efforts to find a cure, Banner's fugitive status forces them apart. Betty's absence from the MCU since then, except for being temporarily snapped away during Avengers: Infinity War, has left many questions about her life. Her return in Brave New World is shrouded in mystery. Will she have reconciled with her father, now the President? Will her expertise in gamma research play a role in the unfolding events? And could we see her transformation into Red She-Hulk, as seen in the comics?

Harrison Ford’s President Ross/Red Hulk

The undeniable link between Brave New World and The Incredible Hulk is Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, stepping into the role previously played by the late William Hurt. Ross, first introduced in The Incredible Hulk, was the antagonist to Bruce Banner, overseeing Project Gamma Pulse with the secret goal of creating a new Super Soldier Serum. His obsession with controlling the Hulk led to the creation of the Abomination, escalating the conflict.

After a series of appearances across the MCU, including Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, and Avengers: Infinity War, Ross returns as the President of the United States in Brave New World. His new role as a statesman and diplomat reflects a significant change in his character, as he seeks to mend his past mistakes and reconnect with his daughter. However, his transformation into Red Hulk after surviving an assassination attempt thrusts him back into conflict with Captain America.

Ross's transformation into Red Hulk, likely influenced by The Leader, is a pivotal plot point. His interest in controlling adamantium, a newly introduced super-metal, adds another layer of tension, as it becomes a focal point of global power struggles. Director Julius Onah emphasized the geopolitical implications of this new technology, highlighting the potential for both positive and destructive outcomes.

As Sam Wilson navigates this complex conspiracy, the question remains: Can the new Captain America unravel this plot and confront a Hulked-out President Ross?

Where Is The Hulk in Brave New World? -------------------------------------

One glaring absence from Brave New World is Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk. Despite the film's deep ties to The Incredible Hulk, there's no indication that Banner will play a significant role, though a surprise cameo isn't out of the question. Given Banner's evolution from an outcast to a respected member of the Avengers, his absence is notable, especially with the emergence of Red Hulk and The Leader.

Banner's journey since The Incredible Hulk has been remarkable, from joining the Avengers to merging his human and Hulk personas. As one of the few remaining defenders of Earth, his absence raises questions about his current status and relationship with Betty Ross. With his family of Hulks expanding, including cousin Jen Walters (She-Hulk) and son Skaar, Banner's absence might be explained by his focus on these new responsibilities.

While Brave New World might not feature Hulk prominently, fans can look forward to his potential return in future MCU projects, such as Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore what Marvel has in store for 2025 and discover every Marvel movie and series currently in development.