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

Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth installment in the Marvel franchise, stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, succeeding Chris Evans' Steve Rogers. While focusing on Captain America's continued MCU journey, this film significantly revisits plot threads from the very first MCU movie, effectively serving as The Incredible Hulk 2.

This connection stems from the return of key characters from The Incredible Hulk: Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross, Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader, and Liv Tyler's Betty Ross. Let's delve into their history and how Brave New World functions as a sequel to The Incredible Hulk.

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, foreshadowing a future villain. Initially an ally to Bruce Banner, aiding in a Hulk cure, Sterns' ambition led to unauthorized experiments with Banner's blood. This resulted in Sterns' transformation, setting the stage for his evolution into The Leader, a gamma-powered intellect. Brave New World finally delivers on this long-awaited development.

The Leader's whereabouts are explained in the MCU-canon comic The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, depicting his capture by Black Widow. His escape and central role in the Brave New World conspiracy, potentially involving Ross's transformation into Red Hulk and the introduction of adamantium, remain largely mysterious. His superhuman intelligence makes him a formidable adversary for Captain America and Falcon.

Liv Tyler's Betty Ross

Liv Tyler's return as Betty Ross marks another significant Incredible Hulk reunion. Their college romance and Betty's involvement in Project Gamma Pulse, where she aided Banner's survival, are revisited. Her father's animosity towards Banner strained their relationship. The Incredible Hulk showed Betty moving on, but her story remains largely untold until Brave New World. Her role in the film, her relationship with her father, and the possibility of her becoming Red She-Hulk remain open questions.

Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk

Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, succeeding William Hurt, is the most evident link to The Incredible Hulk. Ross's initial antagonism towards Banner, his pursuit of Hulk control, and his creation of the Abomination are all relevant to Brave New World. Ross's evolution into the Red Hulk, potentially through a deal with The Leader, adds another layer of complexity. His presidential role, following the events of Secret Invasion, and his attempt to reconcile with Sam Wilson, only to become Red Hulk, form the central conflict.

Director Julius Onah highlights Ross's transformation from a "thunderous" figure to an "elder statesman," seeking reconciliation and cooperation with the Avengers. However, his transformation into Red Hulk, coupled with the introduction of adamantium and its geopolitical implications, creates a significant challenge for Captain America.

Hulk's Absence

The absence of Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is the only factor preventing Brave New World from being explicitly titled The Incredible Hulk 2. While a cameo isn't ruled out, Banner's current involvement with his Hulk family (Jen Walters and Skaar) might explain his absence. His potential reaction to Ross's transformation and Sterns' return remains a point of speculation. His absence leaves the question of whether Captain America can handle Red Hulk and The Leader alone.

The film's plot hinges on the unresolved issues from The Incredible Hulk, making it a de facto sequel. The inclusion of Hulk might have to wait for Avengers: Doomsday.