Marvel Studios has kicked off its 2025 slate of movies with the release of *Captain America: Brave New World*. However, this sequel has set the stage for what might be a challenging year for the MCU. Instead of the strong performance we hoped for from the first film starring Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America, *Brave New World* has left audiences with more questions than answers (for a deeper dive, check out IGN's review of *Captain America: Brave New World*).
The film often leaves viewers puzzled with its unresolved plot points and underdeveloped characters. We're left wondering about the roles of new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder, the underwhelming portrayal of The Leader, and the noticeable absence of key figures like the Hulk and the Avengers. Let's delve into the most perplexing aspects of *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*. This film ties up many loose ends from Hulk's initial solo adventure in the MCU, revealing the fate of 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.
Yet, amidst all this, one crucial element is missing: the Hulk himself. Why was Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner absent from a narrative so deeply connected to *The Incredible Hulk*? Given Banner's history with Thaddeus Ross and Samuel Sterns, his absence feels glaring. Especially since *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* established that Banner, alongside Captain Marvel, is monitoring global events post-Avengers disbandment, and *She-Hulk* showed him busy with research and raising his son, Skaar.
While Marvel might eventually explain Banner's absence with an off-world adventure with Skaar, the lack of his presence leaves a noticeable gap in *Brave New World*. The film focuses on Sam Wilson's journey to embrace the need for the Avengers' return, yet it only offers a brief cameo from Sebastian Stan's Bucky. Including Banner, even in a limited capacity, could have enriched the storyline.
Why Does The Leader Think So Small?
*Brave New World* reintroduces 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 convincingly showcase Sterns' tactical prowess. He seems to consistently underestimate Captain America, which is surprising for someone who supposedly orchestrated a war between the US and Japan.
Moreover, Sterns' decision to surrender during the film's climax raises questions. Why sacrifice his freedom for a simple act of playing a recorded phone call to the press? In the comics, The Leader is a formidable mastermind with global ambitions, yet in *Brave New World*, his goals seem limited to personal vendettas against Ross. This feels like a missed opportunity to portray a villain with broader, more threatening objectives, especially given his awareness of the impending multiverse collapse.
Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?
The climax of *Brave New World* features an epic showdown between Captain America and a transformed President Ross, who becomes the Red Hulk. While this plot twist is rooted in Marvel's comics, the MCU's version of Red Hulk deviates significantly from the source material. In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him a strategic and ruthless adversary. However, in the film, he's portrayed as just as mindless and uncontrollable as the early versions of the Green Hulk.
While the irony of Ross becoming what he despises is compelling, the film misses the chance to explore a more nuanced take on Red Hulk. Fans have seen various iterations of the Hulk, and *Brave New World* could have introduced a unique version—a battle-hardened soldier with limitless strength. Hopefully, future MCU appearances of Red Hulk will offer a more comic-accurate portrayal.
Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?
As Red Hulk, Ross exhibits powers similar to the Hulk, including super-strength and invulnerability, as evidenced by his ability to shrug off bullets. Yet, Captain America's vibranium blades manage to cut him. The likely explanation is the unique properties of vibranium, which allow Sam's weapons to pierce Red Hulk's skin in ways traditional projectiles cannot. This sets the stage for potential future confrontations, such as a battle with Wolverine, whose adamantium claws could similarly affect Red Hulk.
Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?
Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief cameo in *Brave New World*, revealing his new role as an aspiring politician. This development raises eyebrows, as Bucky's past in the MCU doesn't suggest any political ambitions. Given his history as a manipulated assassin with a century of baggage, it's hard to imagine him successfully navigating a political career.
While it's heartening to see the film acknowledge Sam and Bucky's friendship, the idea of the typically brooding 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 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 intense personal vendetta against Captain America remains unexplained. Despite being captured, Sidewinder's determination to kill Cap persists, hinting at a deeper backstory that the film doesn't fully explore.
Given the significant reshoots *Brave New World* underwent, it's possible that earlier versions of the script provided more context for Sidewinder's motivations. With Esposito hinting at Sidewinder's future in a Disney+ series, this unresolved plot thread may be addressed later.
What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?
In the absence of Black Widow and Sharon Carter, *Brave New World* introduces Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative now serving as President Ross's bodyguard. Initially an obstacle to Sam, Ruth eventually becomes an ally. However, her role feels underutilized, serving more as a minor plot device than a fully developed character.
The decision to adapt the Sabra character from the comics, while significantly altering her background and powers, raises questions about why Marvel didn't create an entirely new character. Ruth's presence in the film seems more obligatory than integral to the narrative, possibly affected by the extensive reshoots.
What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now?
*Brave New World* introduces adamantium to the MCU, a new super-metal discovered during the race to exploit Tiamut's remains. While it serves as a plot device driving global tensions, its broader implications remain unclear. The film hints at future conflicts over adamantium, but its significance beyond being a MacGuffin is left ambiguous.
The introduction of adamantium paves the way for Wolverine's eventual MCU debut, but its impact on the world's power dynamics remains to be seen. Given the MCU's slow pace in addressing plot points from previous films, it may take time before adamantium's full role is explored.
Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?
Years after the Avengers disbanded, the MCU has introduced numerous new heroes, yet the team remains elusive. By the end of Phase 2, the Avengers had already featured in multiple films, but now, at the end of Phase 5, the team's reformation seems distant. *Brave New World* touches on the idea of reuniting the Avengers, with Sam Wilson contemplating leadership, but it doesn't advance the narrative significantly.
The film's climax, a battle against Red Hulk, could have benefited from the presence of more Avengers, turning it into a more thrilling team-up event. Instead, the groundwork for *Avengers: Doomsday* in 2026 feels underdeveloped, leaving fans eager for a more cohesive Avengers storyline.
What were your biggest "WTF?!?" moments after watching *Brave New World*? Do you think the film should have included more Avengers? Share your thoughts in the comments below:
