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

Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth film in the Marvel franchise, marks Anthony Mackie's debut as the lead, taking over from Chris Evans. Intriguingly, this new chapter isn't just a continuation of the Captain America saga; it's essentially *The Incredible Hulk 2*, picking up numerous loose threads from the original Hulk film.

From Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross and Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader to Liv Tyler's Betty Ross, let's delve into the history of these characters and explore why Brave New World is a true successor to the Hulk story.

Captain America: Brave New World Debut Trailer Images

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Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader

The Incredible Hulk subtly introduced Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, a character whose story finally culminates in Brave New World. In the Hulk film, Sterns, initially an ally to Bruce Banner, becomes overly enthusiastic in his experiments with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood. This foreshadows his transformation. After Banner's capture, Blonsky coerces Sterns into transforming him, resulting in an accident that exposes Sterns to Banner's blood. Sterns' head swells and begins to mutate, setting the stage for his evolution into The Leader, a gamma-powered intellect.

The MCU canon comic, The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, reveals Black Widow apprehending Sterns. However, he escapes and becomes central to the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. His role remains largely unknown, though he likely contributed to Ross's transformation into Red Hulk, mirroring the comics. His potential interest in adamantium, a newly introduced material in Brave New World, adds another layer to his intrigue. As The Leader, his superhuman intellect makes him a formidable opponent.

Liv Tyler's Betty Ross

Another returning character is Liv Tyler's Betty Ross. The Incredible Hulk established their college romance and her involvement in Project Gamma Pulse. Her participation led to Banner's survival and transformation. Betty's injuries fueled her father's hatred of Banner, straining their relationship. Despite this, she aids Banner in his quest for a cure, creating conflict with her father.

After Banner's disappearance, Betty fades from the MCU until her temporary demise in Avengers: Infinity War. Her role in Brave New World is a mystery, though her expertise in gamma research and her relationship with her now-President father are potential plot points. The possibility of her becoming Red She-Hulk, as in the comics, remains exciting.

Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk

Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross is central to Brave New World's connection to The Incredible Hulk. Ross, initially an antagonist in The Incredible Hulk, oversaw Project Gamma Pulse, aiming to create a super-soldier serum. His obsession with controlling the Hulk led to the creation of the Abomination.

Ross's MCU journey continued through Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, Infinity War, and Endgame. In Brave New World, he's the President of the United States, a position likely influenced by the events of Secret Invasion. He seeks reconciliation with Sam Wilson but is drawn into a conspiracy, ultimately transforming into the Red Hulk. His transformation, likely a means to protect his country and control adamantium, is a significant departure from the comics, where he attempts to conceal his transformation.

The introduction of adamantium adds another layer to the geopolitical intrigue, mirroring the potential for both positive and negative implications of this powerful technology. The film explores the conflict between the need for national security and the ethical considerations of wielding such power.

The central question remains: can Captain America overcome this conspiracy and defeat a Hulked-out President Ross?

Where Is the Hulk in Brave New World?

The absence of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is the only significant difference between Brave New World and a direct Incredible Hulk 2. While a cameo isn't impossible, Banner's current status, considering his family of Hulks (including Jen Walters and Skaar), suggests other priorities. His absence might be explained by off-world duties, leaving the fight against Red Hulk and The Leader to Captain America. A full reunion of Earth's Mightiest Heroes will likely have to wait for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.

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