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

Although Tim Blake Nelson's return as Samuel Sterns/The Leader in *Captain America: Brave New World* hasn't been heavily marketed yet, fans have been aware of this exciting development since at least 2022. Nelson, who first brought the character to life in 2008's *The Incredible Hulk*, is set to make a long-awaited comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While it's thrilling to see Marvel tying up this loose end, it's somewhat unexpected to see The Leader positioned as a villain in a Captain America film rather than a new Hulk movie. However, this twist is precisely what makes The Leader such a formidable adversary for Sam Wilson. Let's delve into The Leader's background and explore why he could be a compelling villain for the next Captain America installment.

The Leader: Who Is Tim Blake Nelson's Character? ------------------------------------------------

The Leader is widely recognized as one of Hulk's most formidable adversaries. Unlike other Hulk villains who focus on brute strength, Samuel Sterns represents the intellectual counterpart to Bruce Banner. After being exposed to gamma radiation, Sterns' intelligence soared to unprecedented levels, making him as brilliant as the Hulk is powerful. This unique combination of intellect and malevolence positions him as one of the most dangerous villains in the Marvel Universe.

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In *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), Tim Blake Nelson portrayed a pre-transformation Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist who initially aids the fugitive Bruce Banner in his quest for a cure. However, Sterns harbors a different vision for Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, seeing it as a key to unlocking humanity's full potential and eradicating disease. His collaboration with General Ross leads to the transformation of Emil Blonsky into the Abomination. The film concludes with Sterns on the brink of transformation into The Leader, his forehead swelling after being exposed to Banner's blood.

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 producing another standalone Hulk film due to Universal Pictures holding part of the film rights. Instead, Bruce Banner's story has unfolded within the *Avengers* films and *Thor: Ragnarok*. This explains why Nelson hasn't reprised his role as The Leader until now. Meanwhile, in *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*, Bruce Banner left Earth in Episode 3, only to return in the season finale with his son, Skaar.

Rumors suggested The Leader might appear in *She-Hulk* before becoming the main antagonist in *Captain America: Brave New World*. Although this didn't happen, the introduction of the Wrecking Crew in *She-Hulk* hinted at The Leader's potential involvement, given his interest in gamma science. However, it seems The Leader is now pulling the strings of a different set of villains in *Brave New World*.

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

The Leader's appearance in a Captain America sequel might seem unexpected, as he has no direct grudge against Bruce Banner. If anything, his transformation into a super-genius with an oversized head might fuel his resentment towards General Ross and Emil Blonsky. This could be the driving force behind The Leader's role in *Brave New World*. With Harrison Ford now portraying the now-President Ross, The Leader might seek to tarnish his reputation and discredit America on the global stage, setting his sights on the new Captain America, Sam Wilson.

Director Julius Onah emphasized that The Leader's danger lies in his unexpected nature as a villain for Sam Wilson. "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 crisis will serve as the first major test of Sam's leadership abilities, requiring him to rally the Avengers—or whatever team currently represents them—against a unique 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 some of the MCU's most powerful villains and emerged victorious. However, he has never encountered an adversary as cunning as The Leader. Will he rise to the challenge? While we hope so, *Captain America 4* sets the stage not for the next *Avengers* movie, but for the *Thunderbolts* film. The Leader's actions may undermine the symbol of Captain America, paving the way for a darker era in 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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