Hulk's Shadow: Captain America's Secret Sequel Revealed

Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth installment in the Marvel franchise and the first starring Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson, unexpectedly serves as a quasi-sequel to The Incredible Hulk. This isn't just a continuation of the Captain America storyline; it significantly revisits characters and plot threads from the earlier film.

The Leader's Return: Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, introduced in The Incredible Hulk as a seemingly benevolent scientist, finally transforms into the villainous Leader. The film picks up on the unresolved cliffhanger from the original, where Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's blood, initiating his transformation. According to The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week (MCU canon comic), S.H.I.E.L.D. apprehended Sterns, but his escape and involvement in the film's central conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross remain largely mysterious. His potential connection to Ross's Red Hulk transformation and his interest in adamantium, a newly introduced super-metal, are key plot points.

Betty Ross's Reappearance: Liv Tyler returns as Betty Ross, Bruce Banner's former love interest and daughter of President Ross. Their relationship, strained by Ross's obsession with Banner, adds another layer to the film's narrative. Betty's expertise in gamma radiation and her potential transformation into Red She-Hulk (as in the comics) remain open questions.

President Ross/Red Hulk: Harrison Ford takes over the role of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, now the President of the United States. His history with the Hulk, dating back to The Incredible Hulk, is central to the plot. The film depicts Ross's transformation into Red Hulk, a significant development that mirrors the comics but with a twist: Ross's transformation is less clandestine. His motivations, tied to both national security and the control of adamantium, drive the conflict. Director Julius Onah highlights Ross's evolution from a wrathful general to a more nuanced, even remorseful, leader.

The Absence of Hulk: The most significant difference between Brave New World and a direct Incredible Hulk sequel is the absence of Bruce Banner/Hulk. While his presence isn't entirely ruled out (a post-credits cameo is possible), his current involvement with his expanding Hulk family (including Jen Walters and Skaar) might explain his absence. This leaves Captain America to confront Red Hulk and The Leader without his usual ally.

The introduction of adamantium and its geopolitical implications adds another layer to the narrative, creating a complex tapestry of interwoven storylines and unresolved conflicts from previous MCU films. The film's title, Brave New World, aptly reflects the introduction of this powerful technology and its potential consequences. Whether or not Hulk makes a surprise appearance remains to be seen.

[Poll: Will Mark Ruffalo's Hulk appear in Captain America: Brave New World?]

• Yes, he'll help Cap fight Red Hulk.
• Yes, but only a quick cameo.
• No, he won't be in this movie.

[See Results]