Marvel Studios has kicked off its 2025 slate of movies with the release of *Captain America: Brave New World*. Unfortunately, this sequel suggests that the MCU might be in for a turbulent year. The film, which marks Anthony Mackie's debut as the new Captain America, Sam Wilson, doesn't quite live up to expectations (for a detailed analysis, see IGN's Captain America: Brave New World review).
Brave New World leaves viewers puzzled with its unresolved plot points and underdeveloped characters. New characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder raise many questions. The portrayal of The Leader as less than a brilliant mastermind is baffling, and the absence of key characters like the Hulk and the Avengers is notable. Let's dive into the biggest "WTF" moments from Captain America: Brave New World.
Captain America: Brave New World Gallery
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Where Was Banner This Whole Time?
After 17 years, 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 MCU adventure, revealing what happened to Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns post-gamma exposure and showing Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross facing consequences for his actions. It's also the first time since The Incredible Hulk that Liv Tyler has reprised her role as Betty Ross.
However, one glaring omission is the absence of the Hulk himself. Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is noticeably absent from a story that heavily builds on The Incredible Hulk. Given that Banner would likely have strong feelings about Thaddeus Ross becoming President and Samuel Sterns turning into a gamma-irradiated mastermind, his absence is hard to ignore.
Recent MCU projects like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk have established that Banner is still active, monitoring global threats and raising his son, Skaar. His absence from Brave New World feels like a missed opportunity, especially in a film about Sam Wilson realizing the world needs the Avengers again.
Why Does The Leader Think So Small?
Brave New World brings back Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, now transformed into The Leader with a giant green head and a vendetta against President Ross. Despite his supposed superhuman intelligence, the film fails to showcase his tactical prowess convincingly. The Leader seems to underestimate Captain America's ability to intervene in his plans, such as orchestrating a war between the US and Japan.
Moreover, his decision to turn himself in during the film's climax seems illogical. Why surrender to execute a simple plan of exposing Ross to the press? The Leader in the comics is a formidable mastermind threatening global stability, but here, his motivations are reduced to personal revenge against Ross, which feels underwhelming.
Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?
Art by Ed McGuinness. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The climax of Brave New World features a battle between Cap and a transformed President Ross, who becomes Red Hulk. While this twist has roots in the comics, the MCU's Red Hulk diverges significantly from its source material. In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him a more strategic and ruthless version of the Hulk. In the movie, however, Ross transforms into a mindless, uncontrollable beast, similar to the early Hulk.
While the irony of Ross becoming what he despised is compelling, the film misses the chance to explore a more nuanced version of Red Hulk. We hope future MCU appearances of Red Hulk will better reflect his comic book counterpart.
Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?
Red Hulk's powers seem to mirror those of the Hulk, including super-strength and invulnerability, as evidenced by his ability to withstand bullets. Yet, he is injured by Captain America's vibranium blades. This discrepancy can likely be attributed to the unique properties of vibranium, which allows Sam's blades to pierce Red Hulk's skin. This sets the stage for potential future confrontations with adamantium-wielding characters like Wolverine.
Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?
Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief appearance, revealing that he's now running for Congress. This development raises questions about his motivations, given his complex history as a manipulated assassin. While it's refreshing to see Bucky and Sam's camaraderie, his sudden shift to politics feels unearned and unexplained. We'll likely learn more about his political journey in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie.
Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly?
With Frank Grillo's Crossbones gone, Brave New World introduces Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder as a new villain. Sidewinder leads the terrorist group Serpent and has a personal vendetta against Captain America, which the film fails to explain adequately. His determination to kill Cap, even after being captured, suggests a deeper backstory that might have been cut during reshoots. Esposito has hinted at Sidewinder's future in a Disney+ series, so we may get more clarity then.
What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?
Shira Haas' Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative turned bodyguard for President Ross, is introduced as a new character. While she initially opposes Sam, she eventually becomes an ally. However, her role feels underutilized, serving more as a plot device than a fully developed character. The choice to adapt the Sabra character from the comics, while changing her significantly, raises questions about why a new character wasn't created instead.
What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now?
Brave New World introduces adamantium to the MCU, a new super-metal discovered amidst the race to exploit Tiamut's resources. While it serves as a plot driver, its broader implications remain unclear. Adamantium's introduction sets the stage for future conflicts and the eventual arrival of Wolverine, but its long-term impact on the MCU remains to be seen.
Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?
Years after the disbandment of the Avengers, Brave New World barely advances the narrative of their reunion. Despite introducing numerous new heroes, the MCU has yet to weave them into a cohesive team. The film hints at Sam Wilson taking on a leadership role, but it doesn't move the needle toward an Avengers reassembly. The absence of more Avengers in the climactic battle feels like a missed opportunity to build momentum for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
What do you think? What had you saying "WTF?!?" after watching Brave New World? And should we have gotten more Avengers in the latest Captain America movie? Let us know 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.
