I actually think the Leader’s controversial design inCaptain America: Brave New Worldis perfect for theMCU. Tim Blake Nelson first appeared as Dr. Samuel Sterns in the MCU back in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, introduced as a cellular biologist, known as Mr. Blue, who helps Bruce Banner and Betty Ross try and find a cure for the gamma radiation in Banner’s blood. Sterns was teased to have a bigger role in the MCU at theend ofThe Incredible Hulk, but we didn’t see him again until 2025’s recentCaptain America: Brave New World.
I was glad to see many ofThe Incredible Hulk’smost annoying loose ends finally get addressed inCaptain America: Brave New World.Thaddeus Ross became the Red Hulk, Betty Ross returned for the first time since Phase 1 and Samuel Sterns was finally reintroduced as the Leader, following in the footsteps of his powerful Marvel Comics counterpart.While it’s great to see Sterns return, there’s one huge difference between the live-action and Marvel Comics versions of the Leader that has caused some controversy, but I don’t agree with these criticisms.
The Leader’s Design In Captain America: Brave New World Has Caused A Stir
Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader Doesn’t Look Like His Marvel Comics Counterpart
Samuel Sterns' Leaderfirst appeared in 1964’sTales to Astonish #62as a menial worker at the chemical plant where his brother worked as a researcher. One day,Sterns was accidentally bombarded with gamma radiation, enlarging his head, turning his skin green and granting him an enhanced intellect. This allows him to become a formidable villain and the archenemy of Bruce Banner’s Hulk, but this backstory was drastically changed for the MCU. It wasn’t just his history that was changed, however, as Marvel Studios also dramatically altered the Leader’s design.
In Marvel Comics, the Leader is a vivid green and has an enlarged brain inside his head, but he doesn’t look all too gruesome and, typically, he still has hair despite his deformities. We saw this take a very different turn in the live-action MCU, as theLeader appeared inCaptain America: Brave New Worldwith a much more grotesque and mutated look, having been exposed toBruce Banner’s blood inThe Incredible Hulk. Marvel has received criticism for changing the Leader’s iconic Marvel Comics design, but I think it was perfect for the MCU.
I Prefer The Leader’s More Realistic Design In Captain America: Brave New World
Samuel Sterns Looked Gruesome In Brave New World (& I Loved It)
I understand that it’s a controversial hot take, but I much prefer thedesign of the Leader inCaptain America: Brave New Worldto that of his Marvel Comics counterpart.I think the big-headed, bright green and still-haired Leader appearance would have looked outlandish and hilarious in live-action, which would have completely broken the more-grounded storyline ofBrave New World. We’ve already seen this happen -Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniadid not benefit from giving MODOK his comic-accurate design.
10 Major MCU Events Captain America 4’s Leader Could Have Manipulated
Samuel Sterns' Leader has been hiding in the background of the MCU since the beginning, and had the power to make some huge changes to the franchise.
I’m very glad Marvel Studios didn’t repeat this easy-to-avoid mistake with Samuel Sterns' Leader, as it would have been a huge shame for Tim Blake Nelson’s return to the MCU to be tainted by a disappointing design.His more visceral and gruesome design inCaptain America: Brave New Worldfeels more based in reality, which I thought was an inspired choice by Marvel. This surely helped with Nelson’s performance as Sterns, a character he hadn’t touched in almost 17 years, and gaveBrave New Worlda more grounded villain that better fit the Phase 5 movie’s story.
The Leader’s Design Fit Captain America: Brave New World’s Story Better
Captain America: Brave New World Was A Grounded MCU Story
Captain America: Brave New Worldprided itself on being a grounded reintroduction to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson as his first theatrical adventure as the MCU’s new Captain America. Pitting him against villains such asGiancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder and Harrison Ford’s Red Hulkhelped to highlight this more down-to-Earth storyline.Bringing back Samuel Sterns with a more comic-accurate design would have completely ruined this, and would have transformedBrave New Worldinto a silly spectacle, rather than something more akin toCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.
Harrison Ford took over the role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross to explore his transformation into the Red Hulk after the late William Hurt tragically passed away in 2022.
Not only did the Leader’s design inCaptain America: Brave New Worldfit better into the movie’s storyline, but this also marked a shocking and memorable return for Tim Blake Nelson to the MCU.The acclaimed actor deserved to make this impact after being absent from the MCU for so long, but bringing him back with his big, green head may have made this much-anticipated return too funny. I am so gladCaptain America: Brave New Worldchose a more real and believable design for the Leader, and I hope he returns to show off more of his terrifying powers.
