*Captain America: Brave New World* marks a thrilling new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. This fourth installment isn't just about continuing the legacy of the iconic hero; it's also intricately connected to one of the MCU's earliest films, *The Incredible Hulk*. In many ways, *Brave New World* could be considered a sequel to *The Incredible Hulk*, bringing back several key characters from that film.

Captain America: Brave New World Debut Trailer Images

4 ImagesTim Blake Nelson’s The Leader

The Incredible Hulk introduced fans to Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, setting the stage for his transformation into The Leader. In the film, Sterns initially helps Bruce Banner from afar in his quest to find a cure for his Hulk condition. When they meet, it becomes clear that Sterns is overly ambitious, using Banner's gamma-irradiated blood for his own experiments. This ambition hints at his future as a villain.

After Banner's arrest, Emil Blonsky coerces Sterns into transforming him into another Hulk-like being. During this process, Sterns suffers an injury, and Banner's blood contaminates an open wound on his forehead, beginning his transformation into The Leader. While this setup was left unresolved in The Incredible Hulk, Brave New World finally picks up this thread.

Sterns was just beginning to transform into The Leader when last we saw him. Since then, according to the MCU canon comic The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week, Black Widow took him into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. However, Sterns eventually escaped and now plays a central role in the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. Though his exact role in the film remains under wraps, it's speculated that Sterns might be involved in Ross's transformation into Red Hulk, as seen in the comics.

Additionally, with the introduction of adamantium, a new arms race may be on the horizon. Sterns, now superhumanly intelligent as The Leader, could exploit this conflict for his own gain, posing a formidable challenge for Captain America and Falcon.

Brave New World also sees the return of Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, marking her first appearance in the MCU since The Incredible Hulk. Betty's history with Bruce Banner began in college, where they fell in love and later worked together on Project Gamma Pulse. This project inadvertently led to Banner's transformation into the Hulk, straining her relationship with her father, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.

In The Incredible Hulk, Betty had moved on with Dr. Leonard Samson but quickly came to Banner's aid when he reappeared. Despite their efforts to find a cure, Banner's fugitive status kept them apart. Betty's story since then has been largely untold, though she was among those affected by Thanos's snap in Avengers: Infinity War.

Betty's role in Brave New World remains a mystery, but her return could involve reconciling with her father, now the President, or utilizing her expertise in gamma research. Fans also speculate whether she might follow her comic book counterpart's path and become Red She-Hulk.

The most striking link to The Incredible Hulk is Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, now President of the United States. Ford steps into the role previously played by the late William Hurt, who portrayed Ross as a relentless antagonist to Bruce Banner.

In The Incredible Hulk, Ross's obsession with controlling the Hulk led him to create another monster in Emil Blonsky, who became the Abomination. Ross's subsequent appearances in the MCU, including Captain America: Civil War and Black Widow, showcased his efforts to regulate superhumans through initiatives like the Sokovia Accords.

In Brave New World, Ross attempts to mend his past mistakes and forge a new path as a diplomat and statesman. However, an assassination attempt leads to his transformation into Red Hulk, drawing him into a conspiracy involving The Leader and the newly introduced adamantium. This transformation mirrors his comic book storyline, where he seeks to protect his country through enhanced power, albeit at a personal cost.

Director Julius Onah highlights Ross's evolution from a man driven by anger to one seeking redemption and reconnection with his daughter. The geopolitical implications of adamantium's introduction add depth to the narrative, setting the stage for a complex storyline involving global power struggles.

Despite its deep connections to The Incredible Hulk, Brave New World does not feature Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner prominently. While it would make sense for Banner to be involved, given his history with Ross and Sterns, there's no indication of his significant participation. However, a cameo or post-credits scene remains possible.

Since The Incredible Hulk, Banner's journey has seen significant developments. From joining the Avengers to mastering his Hulk persona, Banner has become a key defender of Earth. His absence in Brave New World could be explained by his current focus on his family of Hulks, including his cousin Jen Walters and son Skaar, introduced in the She-Hulk series.

Ruffalo makes a brief appearance as Bruce Banner in 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While fans might hope for Banner's involvement in confronting Red Hulk and The Leader, it seems his story may continue in future MCU projects like Avengers: Doomsday.

For more insights into the Marvel Universe's future, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and explore every Marvel movie and series in development.