'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The first trailer for Captain America 4, titled Captain America: Brave New World, was released recently by Marvel Studios online and it saw the return of Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson donning the mantle of Captain America. The trailer featured Captain America seemingly being at odds with the government once more, and even taking on Thadeus "Thunderbolt" Ross who has transformed himself into the Red Hulk.
However, while Captain America 4 will be picking up from the story that was left off in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the film will also be continuing the story of another forgotten Phase 1 film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The primary connection between Brave New World and The Incredible Hulk will be the antagonist, The Leader who will make a comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after The Incredible Hulk which was released in 2008. The film will see many Hulk-related characters from the old film make a return and also give a payoff for the huge setup at the end of that film.
Trending
Tim Blake Nelson to make his return as The Leader in Captain America 4
The biggest connection Captain America 4 will have with The Incredible Hulk is the return of Tim Blake Nelson as The Leader. The ending of The Incredible Hulk introduced the actor as Samuel Sterns, the man Bruce Banner had been secretly conversing with to try and cure his gamma sickness - which was the Hulk monster himself.
However, the US military was made aware of Banner's location, and they seized Sterns' lab until Emil Blonsky wanted the Hulk's power for himself too, and became the Abomination. This leads to the Abomination destroying Sterns' lab and him being gravely injured as well while a drop of Banner's gamma blood drops on his open wound leads his cranium to expand - a visual similarity to the Leader in the comics.
Given that The Incredible Hulk came out in 2008, this would be the first time that a character that was set up for the future will be appearing in a brand new Marvel Cinematic Film. With The Leader set to be a villain in Captain America 4, fans can certainly expect the movie to have some heavy ties with The Incredible Hulk.
Who is The Leader in the comics?
Samuel Stern used to work at a chemical plant in the comics, and he was involved in a freak accident involving gamma radiation where he was exposed to a heavy dose of it. However, he survived that ordeal and soon found out that he possessed a vast amount of knowledge and intelligence, after being a dim-witted man his whole life.
However, the side effects soon started to show and the shape of his head started to grow with his skin turning green too. He then went by as The Leader and planned to take over the Government of the United States of America. He is a major Hulk villain as well and both of them have traded blows from time to time.
What else can fans expect from Captain America 4?
With Captain America 4 set to feature The Leader, many other Hulk characters are expected to show up in the film too. Most notably, Harrison Ford will appear as Thadeus "Thunderbolt" Ross who is now the President, and he will be transforming himself into the Red Hulk as well.
Bruce Banner's love interest Betty Ross, who was portrayed by Liv Tyler in The Incredible Hulk is expected to return in Captain America 4 as well.
You can check out the film when it is released in theatres on February 14, 2025.
