Although Tim Blake Nelson hasn't been prominently featured in the marketing for the upcoming film, it was confirmed back in 2022 that he will reprise his role as Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, in *Captain America: Brave New World*. Nelson originally portrayed this character in 2008's *The Incredible Hulk*, and fans have eagerly awaited his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
It's exciting to see Marvel address this long-standing plot thread, though it might be surprising that The Leader is set to appear in a Captain America film rather than a new Hulk movie. This unexpected twist is what makes The Leader a formidable foe for Sam Wilson, the new Captain America. Let's delve into The Leader's background and explore why he could be a compelling villain for Captain America.
The Leader: Who Is Tim Blake Nelson's Character?
The Leader is widely recognized as one of the Hulk's most iconic adversaries. Unlike other Hulk villains who focus on physical strength, Samuel Sterns is the intellectual counterpart to Bruce Banner. After being exposed to gamma radiation, his intelligence soared, positioning him as a cerebral threat that matches the Hulk's physical prowess. This makes him one of the most dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe.
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In *The Incredible Hulk* from 2008, Tim Blake Nelson played a pre-transformation Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist who aids the fugitive Bruce Banner in seeking a cure for his Hulk condition. However, Sterns has his own agenda, believing Banner's blood could unlock humanity's full potential and cure diseases. His collaboration with General Ross leads to Emil Blonsky's transformation into the Abomination. The film concludes with Sterns in a precarious situation, his head swelling after being exposed to Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, hinting at his transformation into The Leader.
Expect Nelson's character to have a striking new appearance 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 by teasing Sterns' transformation into The Leader. However, due to Universal Pictures holding some of the film rights, Marvel Studios has opted not to produce another standalone Hulk film. Instead, Bruce Banner's story has continued through the Avengers films and *Thor: Ragnarok*. This rights issue may explain why Nelson has not reprised his role as The Leader until now.
Bruce Banner also appeared in *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*, where he left Earth in Episode 3, only to return 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*. In *She-Hulk*, the Wrecking Crew attempted to steal Jen Walters' blood for a mysterious benefactor, with The Leader being a likely suspect due to his interest in gamma science. Although this didn't happen, trailers for *Brave New World* suggest The Leader is orchestrating other villains.
Why the Leader Is One of the Villains in Captain America 4
The decision to feature The Leader in a Captain America film rather than a Hulk sequel may seem unusual, especially since he has no known vendetta against Banner. However, his transformation and betrayal by General Ross could fuel a desire for revenge, particularly against now-President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford in the film. The Leader might aim to tarnish Ross's reputation and undermine America's standing on the world stage, which could also bring him into conflict with the new Captain America, Sam Wilson.
Director Julius Onah emphasized that The Leader's unexpected nature makes him particularly dangerous for Sam Wilson. "Actions have consequences, and that's what's so great about what the MCU has been able to build," Onah stated 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."
Onah also noted that this crisis will be Sam's first major test as a leader, requiring him to rally the Avengers—or whatever form they take now—against a unique threat. "We saw what it means for somebody like him to take the shield," Onah explained. "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."
Sam Wilson has faced some of the MCU's toughest villains and survived, but he has never encountered someone as cunning as The Leader. Whether he can rise to this challenge remains to be seen, but *Captain America: Brave New World* sets the stage for the upcoming *Thunderbolts* film, hinting at a darker turn for the MCU.
What role do you think The Leader will play in *Captain America: Brave New World*? Share your theories in the comments below.
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