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

While the marketing for the upcoming film *Captain America: Brave New World* hasn't spotlighted him yet, it was confirmed back in 2022 that Tim Blake Nelson will return as Samuel Sterns, better known as The Leader. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will remember Nelson's portrayal of this character in the 2008 film *The Incredible Hulk*, marking his long-awaited comeback to the franchise.

It's exciting to see Marvel finally addressing this unresolved plot thread, though it might raise eyebrows that The Leader is set to confront Captain America rather than starring in a new Hulk movie. However, this twist is intentional. The Leader represents a type of adversary that Sam Wilson, as the new Captain America, wouldn't typically expect, making him a uniquely dangerous foe. Let's delve into The Leader's background and explore why he could be a fitting villain for the next Captain America installment.

The Leader is traditionally considered one of Hulk's most formidable adversaries. Unlike other Hulk villains who focus on physical prowess, Samuel Sterns embodies the opposite of Bruce Banner. After being exposed to gamma radiation, his intellect soared, making him as smart as the Hulk is strong. This extraordinary intelligence positions The Leader as one of the most dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe.

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In *The Incredible Hulk* from 2008, The Leader's journey began as 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 unlock humanity's potential and eradicate diseases. His involvement with General Ross led to Emil Blonsky's transformation into the Abomination. The movie concluded with Sterns on the brink of becoming The Leader, his head swelling after exposure to Banner's irradiated blood.

Expect Nelson's character to look a bit different when he returns in Captain America: Brave New World.

The Return of the Leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

*The Incredible Hulk* set the stage for a sequel featuring The Leader, but Marvel Studios has avoided a standalone Hulk movie due to Universal Pictures' ownership of the film rights. Instead, Hulk's narrative has unfolded within the Avengers films and *Thor: Ragnarok*, explaining the delay in Nelson reprising his role.

Bruce Banner, played by Mark Ruffalo, also appeared in *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*, where he left Earth in Episode 3 to address unfinished business on Sakaar and returned with his son, Skaar, in the season finale. Rumors suggested The Leader might appear in *She-Hulk* before becoming the main villain in *Captain America: Brave New World*. The introduction of the Wrecking Crew in Episode 3, who unsuccessfully tried to steal Jen Walters' blood, hinted at The Leader's involvement, though this did not materialize. However, the trailers for *Brave New World* suggest The Leader might be manipulating other villains behind the scenes.

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

The choice to feature The Leader in a Captain America sequel may seem odd at first, especially since he has no direct conflict with Bruce Banner. If anyone, he should hold a grudge against General Ross and Emil Blonsky, who were instrumental in his transformation. This could be the key to his role in *Brave New World*. With Harrison Ford now playing the role of President Ross, The Leader might aim to tarnish his reputation and undermine America's standing globally, setting his sights on the new Captain America, Sam Wilson.

Director Julius Onah emphasizes that The Leader's unexpected presence is what makes him so dangerous. "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 also highlighted that this confrontation will be the first significant test of Sam's leadership skills. He'll need to rally the Avengers—or what remains of them—against this 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 many powerful villains in the MCU and emerged victorious, but The Leader's intelligence presents a new challenge. Will he be up to it? The fact that *Captain America 4* sets the stage for the *Thunderbolts* movie suggests that The Leader might play a role in dismantling the symbol of Captain America, ushering in a darker era for the MCU.

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