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, the film significantly revisits plot threads from The Incredible Hulk, effectively serving as its sequel.
This connection stems from the return of key characters: Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross, Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader, and Liv Tyler's Betty Ross. Let's examine their history and how Brave New World intertwines with The Incredible Hulk's narrative.
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 his transformation into The Leader. Sterns, initially an ally to Bruce Banner, becomes obsessed with gamma research, displaying questionable ethics. After Banner's capture, Blonsky coerces Sterns into transforming him, resulting in Sterns' accidental exposure to Banner's blood and his subsequent transformation.
The MCU finally delivers on this long-awaited development in Brave New World. According to The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week (MCU canon comic), S.H.I.E.L.D. apprehended Sterns, who later escaped and became central to the film's conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. His role remains largely undisclosed, but his involvement in Ross' transformation into Red Hulk and potential plans concerning the newly introduced adamantium are highly probable.
Liv Tyler's Betty Ross:
Liv Tyler returns as Betty Ross, Bruce Banner's former love interest and daughter of Thunderbolt Ross. Their relationship, depicted in The Incredible Hulk, is strained by Ross' obsession with Banner. Betty, involved in Project Gamma Pulse, aided Banner's survival and later attempted to help him find a cure, despite her father's opposition. After Banner's disappearance, Betty's MCU presence faded until her reappearance in Brave New World. Her role remains a mystery, though her expertise in gamma research and potential transformation into Red She-Hulk (as in the comics) are possibilities.
Harrison Ford's President Ross/Red Hulk:
Harrison Ford takes over the role of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, previously played by William Hurt. Ross, introduced in The Incredible Hulk, initially served as an antagonist to Bruce Banner. His ambition to control the Hulk led to the creation of the Abomination. His subsequent appearances in various MCU films show his evolving role, from Secretary of Defense to President of the United States in Brave New World. The film depicts Ross' transformation into Red Hulk, a pivotal plot point.
Director Julius Onah highlights Ross' character development, portraying him as an elder statesman seeking reconciliation with his daughter and cooperation with the Avengers. However, his transformation into Red Hulk and his pursuit of adamantium suggest a continuation of his ambition and conflict with Captain America.
Hulk's Absence:
The absence of Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Hulk is the only factor preventing Brave New World from being a direct sequel to The Incredible Hulk. While a cameo isn't impossible, Banner's current involvement with his family of Hulks (Jen Walters and Skaar) might explain his absence. His potential appearance might be reserved for a post-credits scene or a future Avengers film.
The film's plot revolves around a conspiracy involving Red Hulk, The Leader, and the newly introduced adamantium, leaving Captain America to confront these threats. The question remains whether Captain America can overcome these obstacles, and whether Hulk will eventually make an appearance.
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