Captain America: Brave New World - Top WTF Questions Answered

Marvel Studios kicked off its 2025 slate with the release of Captain America: Brave New World, but the film has left fans puzzled and unsatisfied. As the first movie to feature Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, it had high expectations to meet. Unfortunately, as highlighted in IGN's review, the film falls short of delivering a compelling narrative, leaving many questions unanswered and characters underdeveloped.

Captain America: Brave New World Gallery

12 ImagesWhere Was Banner This Whole Time?

Captain America: Brave New World picks up loose ends from The Incredible Hulk, bringing back Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns and Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross, along with Liv Tyler's Betty Ross. However, one glaring omission is the absence of Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner. Given the film's ties to The Incredible Hulk and the significance of the events unfolding, it's baffling that Banner, who should have a vested interest in these developments, is nowhere to be seen. The film mentions that Banner has been busy with his research and raising his son Skaar, yet his absence feels like a missed opportunity to tie the story together more cohesively.

Why Does The Leader Think So Small?

Tim Blake Nelson's return as Samuel Sterns, now known as The Leader, was highly anticipated. However, the film fails to showcase his supposed superhuman intelligence effectively. Despite his ability to calculate probabilities and plan, Sterns' schemes in the movie seem surprisingly shortsighted. His plan to orchestrate a war between the US and Japan without accounting for Captain America's intervention raises questions about his strategic acumen. Furthermore, his decision to turn himself in at the climax to execute a relatively simple plan against Ross feels uncharacteristic of a mastermind. The Leader's motivations appear to be solely driven by a personal vendetta against Ross, which feels underwhelming for such a significant villain.

Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?

The film's climax features a battle between Captain America and a transformed President Ross, who becomes the Red Hulk. Unlike the comics, where Red Hulk retains his intelligence, the movie's version is just as mindless and uncontrollable as the original Hulk. This portrayal misses the opportunity to explore a more tactical and ruthless version of the character, leaving fans hoping for a more comic-accurate depiction in future MCU appearances.

Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?

Red Hulk's invulnerability is evident when he shrugs off bullets, yet he is susceptible to Captain America's vibranium blades. This suggests that vibranium's unique properties allow it to pierce his otherwise tough skin, hinting at future confrontations with adamantium-wielding characters like Wolverine.

Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?

Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief appearance, revealing his new role as an aspiring politician. This development feels out of character for the former Winter Soldier, who has a complicated history that would likely hinder any political ambitions. While it's nice to see the continuation of Sam and Bucky's relationship, the film leaves many questions about Bucky's sudden career shift unanswered.

Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly?

Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder, the leader of the terrorist group Serpent, has a personal vendetta against Captain America that remains unexplained. Despite his capture and subsequent escape plan, his motivations for wanting to kill Cap are never clearly articulated. This lack of backstory feels like a missed opportunity, especially with Esposito hinting at future appearances in a Disney+ series.

What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?

Shira Haas' Ruth Bat-Seraph, introduced as a former Red Room operative and bodyguard to President Ross, feels underutilized in the film. While she transitions from an obstacle to an ally, her role in the narrative feels peripheral. The adaptation of the Sabra character from the comics, without her original attributes, raises questions about why this specific character was chosen over creating a new one.

What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now?

The introduction of adamantium in the MCU is significant, yet its role in Brave New World feels more like a plot device than a game-changer. As a MacGuffin that drives the story, it's unclear how its presence will impact future MCU projects beyond the anticipated debut of Wolverine. The film leaves many questions about the long-term implications of adamantium unanswered.

Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?

Despite the introduction of numerous new heroes in recent years, Brave New World does little to advance the reformation of the Avengers. The film teases the idea of Sam Wilson leading a new team but fails to bring any additional heroes into the fold. This leaves fans wondering why the MCU is taking so long to reunite the Avengers, especially with Avengers: Doomsday looming on the horizon.

Captain America: Brave New World has left fans with more questions than answers, highlighting the need for clearer character development and plot resolution in future MCU projects. What were your biggest "WTF" moments after watching the film? Should the movie have included more Avengers characters to enhance the climax? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Should Captain America: Brave New World have included more Avengers characters? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, it would have made the climax more exciting.No, this needed to be Sam's story.

AnswerSee ResultsFor more on Captain America and the future of the MCU, check out our Brave New World ending explained breakdown and see every Marvel movie and series in development.