Despite what Captain America: Brave New World suggests that Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns may not be the leader, but a more sinister Marvel villain. Captain America: Brave New WorldSterns promotional material suggests Samuel Sterns' role in President Ross's transformation into the Red Hulk and world political destabilization. Sterns is hiding in the shadows of Captain America: Brave New World trailers, teasing Captain America with clues about his villainous plan. In the film, Sam Wilson will eventually come face to face with Samuel Sterns and discover what he has been doing since the events of The Incredible Hulk.
Samuel Sterns began transforming into a Gamma mutation in The Incredible Hulkthird act, right after the Abomination slams him into vials of Hulk's blood. In the comics, Samuel Sterns becomes the Leader – one of Hulk's archenemies, whose Gamma powers are based on his enhanced intellect rather than his strength. Sterns has not made any appearances in the MCU since The Incredible Hulkbut it's easy to assume he was hatching a conspiracy as Leader while Hulk and the rest of the Avengers were busy fighting other threats.
Captain America: Brave New World's main villain could be the red leader
Samuel Sterns could absorb the same type of gamma energy he uses to create the Red Hulk
In the Earth-616 timeline of Marvel Comics, Samuel Sterns fights the Hulk and other heroes several times as the Leader before being murdered by the Punisher. Shortly afterwards, Thaddeus Ross (in his Red Hulk form) injects Sterns' body with red gamma radiation and brings him back to life, this time with red gamma energy flowing through his body.. Red Leader then joins Red Hulk's Thunderbolts team alongside other red-themed anti-heroes. Samuel Sterns appears to be even more cunning and treacherous as the Red Leader, although he soon loses his form and regains his original green appearance.
According to Samuel Sterns of Marvel Comics, red gamma radiation is the regular type of gamma energy combined with cosmic radiation. This deadly mix is ​​what sets Red Hulk's abilities apart from those of the Hulk, as Thaddeus Ross is able to absorb energy and turn it into heat like the Red Hulk, while Bruce Banner's Hulk alter ego grows stronger as he goes. who becomes angrier. The artificial nature of red gamma radiation also explains why red gamma mutations are so rare in the Marvel multiverse.
Why introducing Red Leader would be a fitting twist for the MCU movie
Samuel Sterns' Late MCU Return Fits Into Villains' Red Gamma Transformation
Seventeen years and three film appearances after his introduction into the MCU in The Incredible HulkThaddeus Ross finally becomes the Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World. According to Captain America: Brave New WorldIn the trailers, Samuel Sterns is the one who gives Ross this ability to destabilize the US government and instigate political conflicts between countries. But although it may seem that Samuel Sterns will reveal himself as the Leader, Captain America: Brave New World could provide an unexpected twist and reveal that Sterns has transformed into the Red Leader.
As Red Leader, Samuel Sterns could have energy absorption powers similar to Red Hulk
Samuel Sterns found a way to give President Ross the ability to transform into the Red Hulk, so it's very likely he tested the same experiment on himself. Otherwise, Sterns would have simply tried to recreate Bruce Banner's traditional Hulk transformation, which Sterns, Ross, and Emil Blonsky were obsessed with. The Incredible Hulk. As Red Leader, Samuel Sterns could have energy absorption powers similar to the Red Hulk, but also similar weaknesses that Captain America could exploit to defeat the two red Gamma mutants in Captain America: Brave New World.
The Red Leader's introduction would increase the likelihood of another major Marvel figure appearing
Liv Tyler's Captain America: Brave New World Cameo Could Turn Her Into Red She-Hulk
If Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Stern reveals his transformation from Red Leader to Captain America: Brave New Worldthis would mean he has enough control over red gamma radiation to create more red gamma mutations. In the comics, Samuel Sterns' team of villains, “the Intelligence”, transforms several of Hulk's allies into Gamma mutants, including Betty Ross, who becomes Red She-Hulk. Given that Liv Tyler's Betty Ross will return in Captain America: Brave New World, there's a strong chance Samuel Sterns will turn her into Red She-Hulk in the MCU as well.
Samuel Sterns' transformation into the Red Leader would also fit perfectly with the introduction of the Thunderbolts into the MCU. In the comics, Red Hulk's villainous team “Code Red”, which marked the first appearance of Red She-Hulk, eventually evolved into a new iteration of the Thunderbolts. Thaddeus Ross's “Red Thunderbolts” team includes Red Hulk, Red Leader, the Punisher, Elektra, Deadpool, Ghost Rider, and Agent Venom. In the MCU, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's Thunderbolts team could be replaced by Red Hulk's “Red Thunderbolts” lineup, and Red She-Hulk could replace Agent Venom after the events of Captain America: Brave New World.
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February 14, 2025
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July 25, 2025
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July 24, 2026