Captain America: Brave New World Is The Secret Sequel To 2 MCU Movies From The Last 16 Years

Captain America: Brave New World is the follow-up to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but it’s also a surprising sequel to two older MCU films. Captain America 4 is Sam Wilson’s first project with the official Captain America moniker after adopting it in the previously mentioned Disney+ series. As seen in the first Brave New World trailer, the film also continues the stories of Isaiah Bradley, a redeemed secret super soldier, and Joaquin Torres, who is taking over the Falcon mantle. However, these aren’t the only familiar MCU characters returning for this sequel.

The trailer features several returning characters, such as Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross, now President Ross, and The Leader, played by Tim Blake Nelson. Both Ross and Sterns have been in the MCU for a long time, and appear to have significant roles in this movie. With the addition of these figures, Captain America 4 can act as a sequel to two MCU films that audiences have waited a long time to see more of.

Captain America: Brave New World Continues The Story Of Civil War

Thunderbolt Ross’ Story Ties In To Civil War

Brave New World is the fourth chapter in the MCU’s Captain America series, and while it may not include Steve Rogers, the film will continue one significant part of his story. In Captain America: Civil War, Steve goes against the U.S. government’s order to arrest Bucky Barnes, and becomes a fugitive from his country. After the events of Civil War, Secretary Ross continues to search for these exiled heroes in Avengers: Infinity War and Black Widow. However, after the events of Endgame, these characters are no longer hunted by the government.

In the Captain America: Brave New World trailer, Ross tells Sam he wants to make Captain America an “official military position.” This would place Captain America under the control of the U.S. government once again, but it would also repair a broken relationship. The U.S. wants Cap to be an international symbol, but their demands often conflict with Steve and Sam’s morals. Still, Ross’ attempt to bring Captain America back into the fold shows the MCU is tying up loose ends remaining from Civil War.

Captain America 4 Is Also A Secret Sequel To 2008’s The Incredible Hulk

The Leader & Other Movie Characters Tie The Two Marvel Films Together

Thunderbolt Ross first appeared in The Incredible Hulk, but he has had a more consistent presence in the MCU than other characters from that film. That could change after Captain America: Brave New World, given the notable returns of Samuel Sterns and Betty Ross.

The upcoming movie appears set to finally deliver on a 16-year-old tease from The Incredible Hulk, which showed the start of Sterns’ transformation into The Leader when his head starts mutating after being exposed to Bruce Banner’s blood. Similarly, Betty was last seen with Bruce in the movie before he fled New York as the Hulk. While not seen in the Brave New World trailer, Liv Tyler as Betty is confirmed to appear in the film.

Sterns’ appearance as The Leader isn’t fully shown in the trailer, but there is a brief image of him in a hat and jacket. The Leader is reportedly the film’s main antagonist, so it will be intriguing to see what he looks like and the political schemes he’s planning in the shadows. In addition to these characters, Ross’ arc from The Incredible Hulk continues as he transforms into the MCU Red Hulk. Ross’ life mission was to capture and weaponize the Hulk, and he now becomes the weapon he wanted to utilize.

Will Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner Return Alongside The Other Hulk Characters?

The Hulk’s Appearance Would Make Sense, But He Doesn’t Currently Seem To Be In The Movie’s Cast

Despite all the returning The Incredible Hulk characters, Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner will reportedly not be in Brave New World. According to Variety, Ruffalo spoke at a Q&A at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where he was asked if he would return in the 2025 MCU film. Ruffalo said, “Yeah. It’s going to be great.” However, multiple sources later reported that Ruffalo misheard the question, and thought he was “agreeing that ‘Brave New World’ is one of Marvel’s next films, not that he was going to be in it.”

However, given the MCU has aimed to hide major cameos and appearances before, it wouldn’t be strictly impossible for the Hulk to still potentially show up in the movie, especially given its ties to his story. That said, there haven’t been any indications that Hulk will appear in Captain America: Brave New World, and Hulk is dealing with his own problems after debuting his son in She-Hulk. Ruffalo isn’t done in the MCU, but he may not be starring alongside his Incredible Hulk co-stars in 2025.

Source: Variety