Marvel Studios has kicked off its 2025 slate of movies with the release of *Captain America: Brave New World*. However, if this sequel is any indication, the MCU might be in for a challenging year. The film, starring Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America, Sam Wilson, falls short of expectations (for a detailed review, see IGN's Captain America: Brave New World review).
*Brave New World* leaves audiences puzzled with its unresolved questions and underdeveloped characters. The introduction of new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder raises many questions. Additionally, the portrayal of The Leader seems less than brilliant, and the absence of key characters like the Hulk and the Avengers is conspicuous. Let's delve into the biggest "WTF" questions that arise after watching *Captain America: Brave New World*.
Captain America: Brave New World Gallery
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Where Was Banner This Whole Time?
It took 17 years, but Marvel finally delivered a sequel to *The Incredible Hulk* with *Captain America: Brave New World*. The film ties up several loose ends from Hulk's initial solo adventure, revealing the fate of Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns post-gamma exposure and addressing Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross's past actions. It's also the first time since *The Incredible Hulk* that Liv Tyler has reprised her role as Betty Ross.
However, a key element is conspicuously absent: the Hulk himself. Why did Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner play no part in a story that directly builds on *The Incredible Hulk*? Given Banner's history with Thaddeus Ross and Samuel Sterns, his absence feels glaring. Furthermore, with *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* establishing Banner's role in monitoring global threats alongside Captain Marvel, his absence during this Hulk-related crisis seems even more puzzling.
While Marvel may provide an explanation, such as Banner being off-world with his son Skaar, the lack of his presence leaves a noticeable gap in the narrative. *Brave New World* focuses on Sam Wilson's journey to reform the Avengers, yet it only offers a brief cameo from Sebastian Stan's Bucky, leaving fans wondering why Banner couldn't have been included.
Why Does The Leader Think So Small? -----------------------------------*Brave New World* reintroduces Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, who has undergone a significant transformation since *The Incredible Hulk*. Now sporting a giant green noggin and a vendetta against President Ross, Sterns has become superhumanly intelligent due to gamma radiation.
However, the film struggles to convincingly showcase Sterns's tactical brilliance. Despite his supposed ability to calculate probabilities and plan meticulously, he repeatedly overlooks Captain America's potential interventions. For instance, he orchestrates a conflict between the US and Japan without considering Cap's possible involvement. Moreover, his decision to turn himself in during the climax, only to play a recording to the press, raises questions about his strategic acumen.
In the comics, Sterns, known as The Leader, is a formidable mastermind threatening the world. In *Brave New World*, his motivation seems limited to humiliating Ross, a rather small goal for such a significant villain. Given his supposed foresight of Earth's doomsday, one would expect a broader, more impactful agenda.
Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?
Art by Ed McGuinness. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The film's climax features an epic showdown between Captain America and a transformed President Ross, who becomes the Red Hulk. This twist echoes the comic book origins, but the MCU's Red Hulk deviates significantly from the source material.
In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him a smarter, more strategic adversary than the traditional Hulk. However, in the movie, Ross's Red Hulk is just as mindless and uncontrollable as the early Hulk iterations, even calmed by thoughts of Betty. While the irony of Ross becoming what he despises is intriguing, fans are left wanting a more comic-accurate portrayal. A battle-tested soldier with limitless strength would have offered a fresh take on the Hulk archetype.
Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?
As Red Hulk, Ross exhibits similar powers to the Hulk, including super-strength and invulnerability, as evidenced by his shrugging off bullets. Yet, Captain America's projectile blades manage to cut him. The likely explanation lies in the use of vibranium, the material from which Sam's blades and wings are made. This suggests that vibranium, and possibly adamantium, can pierce Red Hulk's defenses, setting the stage for future confrontations, such as a Hulk vs. Wolverine showdown.
Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?
Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief cameo, revealing his new career path as an aspiring politician. This development raises eyebrows, as nothing in Bucky's previous MCU appearances hinted at political ambitions. Given his history of being manipulated into assassinations and his age, it's hard to see how Bucky could realistically pursue such a career.
While it's refreshing to see Bucky and Sam's enduring friendship acknowledged, the concept of the typically angsty, anti-social Bucky entering politics feels out of place. More details about his political journey may be explored in the upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie.
Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly? ----------------------------------------------With Frank Grillo's Crossbones out of the picture, *Brave New World* introduces Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder as a new secondary villain. Leading the terrorist group Serpent, Sidewinder is hired by Sterns to steal adamantium from Japan. However, his personal vendetta against Captain America remains unexplained, despite his willingness to kill Sam for free.
The film's reshoots may have impacted the clarity of Sidewinder's motivations. With Esposito hinting at Sidewinder's future in a Disney+ series, fans are eager for a more thorough explanation of his animosity toward Cap.
What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?
In the absence of Black Widow and Sharon Carter, Shira Haas's Ruth Bat-Seraph steps in as a new government agent and former Red Room operative. Initially an adversary, Ruth eventually aligns with Sam after uncovering a deeper conspiracy. However, her role in the larger narrative feels underdeveloped, serving mainly as a minor obstacle before becoming an ally.
Marvel's choice to adapt the Sabra character, despite significant deviations from her comic book counterpart, raises questions about the necessity of her inclusion. If the intention was to fill the void left by other female agents, a new character might have been a more effective choice.
What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now? ------------------------------------*Brave New World* introduces adamantium to the MCU, a new super-metal discovered during the race to harvest Tiamut's resources. While it serves as the plot's MacGuffin, driving global powers to the brink of war, its long-term implications remain unclear. The introduction of adamantium hints at future developments, such as the eventual debut of Wolverine, but its broader impact on the MCU's world is yet to be seen.
Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?
Years after *Endgame*, the MCU still lacks a reformed Avengers team. Despite introducing numerous new heroes like Yelena Belova, Shang-Chi, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight, Marvel has yet to bring them together under the Avengers banner. As Phase 5 nears its end, the groundwork for *Avengers: Doomsday* remains thin.
*Brave New World* touches on the idea of reassembling the Avengers, with Sam wrestling with the leadership role. However, the film stops short of actual team formation, missing an opportunity to include more heroes in the climactic battle against Red Hulk. A larger team-up could have mirrored the success of *Captain America: Civil War*, setting the stage for a more impactful *Avengers: Doomsday*.
What are your thoughts? What left you saying "WTF?!?" after watching *Brave New World*? Should the film have included more Avengers? Share your opinions in the comments below:
AnswerSee ResultsFor more on Captain America and the future of the MCU, check out our Brave New World ending explained breakdown and see every Marvel movie and series in development.
