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

Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth installment in the Marvel franchise, marks Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson's debut as Captain America, stepping into the role previously held by Chris Evans. While this film continues the Captain America storyline within the MCU, it also significantly ties up loose ends from one of the earliest MCU films, effectively serving as *The Incredible Hulk 2*.

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 essentially an *Incredible Hulk* sequel in all but name.

Captain America: Brave New World Debut Trailer Images

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Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader

The Incredible Hulk introduced Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, setting the stage for a future villain. Sterns, initially an ally to Bruce Banner, aided in the search for a Hulk cure. Their face-to-face meeting revealed Sterns' overzealous experimentation with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, hinting at a lack of ethical boundaries foreshadowing his future actions. During Blonsky's transformation into Abomination, Banner's blood contaminated Sterns, initiating his transformation into The Leader.

Comic book fans recognize this as Sterns' evolution into a gamma-powered villain, intellectually superior to the Hulk's physical strength. Brave New World finally delivers on this long-awaited development.

Sterns' whereabouts in the intervening years are explained in the MCU canon comic The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, depicting Black Widow placing him in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. His escape and subsequent involvement in the conspiracy surrounding Captain America and President Ross remain largely mysterious, though his potential role in Ross' transformation into Red Hulk and his interest in adamantium are plausible given comic book storylines. As The Leader, his superhuman intellect makes him a formidable threat.

Liv Tyler's Betty Ross

Along with The Leader, Liv Tyler returns as Betty Ross. Their college romance and her involvement in Project Gamma Pulse, where she created the primer saving Banner, are established in The Incredible Hulk. Her father's hatred of Banner, stemming from the Hulk's creation, strained their relationship. While dating Dr. Leonard Samson, she aided Banner in his self-cure efforts, despite the conflict with her father.

Following Banner's escape and the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Betty's story remains largely untold until her reappearance in Brave New World. Her role remains unclear, though her expertise in gamma research and her potential transformation into Red She-Hulk (as in the comics) are possibilities.

Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk

The film's central focus on Harrison Ford's Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross strongly suggests its status as an Incredible Hulk sequel. Ford inherits the role from the late William Hurt.

Ross's debut in The Incredible Hulk positioned him as an antagonist to Bruce Banner. His oversight of Project Gamma Pulse and his pursuit of the Hulk, leading to the creation of the Abomination, established his relentless pursuit of controlling the Hulk.

Subsequent appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame showcase his evolving role within the MCU, culminating in his presidency in Brave New World. His election, following the events of Secret Invasion, reflects public anxieties about alien threats.

Director Julius Onah describes a shift in Ross's character, from a "thunderous" figure to an elder statesman seeking reconciliation with his daughter and cooperation with the Avengers. However, the film depicts his transformation into Red Hulk following an assassination attempt, a significant plot point.

Similar to the comics, Ross's transformation may be driven by a desire to protect his country by creating a more tactical Hulk, potentially through a deal with The Leader. His control over adamantium further complicates the narrative.

Where Is The Hulk in Brave New World?

The absence of Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is the only factor preventing Captain America: Brave New World from being explicitly titled The Incredible Hulk 2. While a cameo remains possible, Banner's absence is notable. His established MCU storyline, including his integration with the Hulk and his current family situation (including Jen Walters and Skaar), could explain his absence. His involvement might be reserved for Avengers: Doomsday.