Original Design for The Leader in Captain America: Brave New World Revealed, Inspired by the Original Comic Book Art

Every superhero story has its iconic villain, and for Captain America: Brave New World, fans were introduced to The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. Nelson underwent a transformation through practical effects and makeup, resulting in a visibly mutated character, though the final design deviated from the classic comic book look.

Blue Whale Studios, responsible for crafting the character's design and effects for the MCU film, recently shared insights into their original concept for Sam Sterns' alter ego, which closely mirrored the comic book version. The Atlanta-based special effects company initially envisioned a more sickly appearance for The Leader, featuring an engorged head and pale green skin. They showcased this design on their Instagram, along with a video demonstrating the application of prosthetics to Nelson, offering fans a fascinating glimpse into the character's creation process.

"We were originally brought on to design and apply the practical makeup for The Leader on the incomparable Tim Blake Nelson in Captain America: Brave New World," Blue Whale Studios stated. "As often happens in film, the story evolved, and during reshoots, the creative direction shifted. Our version was ultimately not used in the final cut. Still, we remain incredibly proud of the work we created."

The studio drew inspiration from the original comic book art, aiming to create a look that felt both grounded and iconic—true to the source while achieving a refined, natural realism. They highlighted the technical achievement of making the final makeup lightweight and comfortable for the actor, crediting the dedication of their extraordinary team.

This initial design closely resembles The Leader's first appearance in the Marvel comic universe, which debuted in 1964's Tales to Astonish #62. Interestingly, the final design in Brave New World also reflects more recent portrayals of the character, seen in 2018's Immortal Hulk.

The Leader's potential as an MCU villain was first hinted at in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's Gamma radiation-infused blood. At that point, he remained a normal human, but over time, this exposure transformed him into the character seen at the start of Brave New World.

Last May, reports emerged that Captain America: Brave New World was undergoing reshoots to introduce a new villainous character played by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Star Wars, and The Boys. Esposito portrays Sidewinder, the leader of the Serpent Society, in the film.

Ahead of the film's release, five-time WWE world champion Seth Rollins confirmed that his role was cut due to extensive rewrites of the script and subsequent reshoots.