The Incredible Hulk Star to Appear in Captain America: Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World features a Marvel character we’ve not seen for 16 years.

That character is The Leader, as played by Tim Blake Nelson in 2008's The Incredible Hulk.

"[I'm] very excited about it. I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow to continue working on that," Nelson told ComicBookMovie. "It's been very exciting to bring back a character from 16 years ago and imagine how he has aged with me and how that has manifested."

The Leader started life as Doctor Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist looking for a cure for Bruce Banner. When he's infected by Banner's blood, however, he gained the power of super intelligence.

So, what exactly is the explanation for how The Leader is back after such a long absence? As Nelson says, "The Marvel team has come up with a really interesting explanation - revelation, I should say, as to what he's been up to for 16 years and why."

It might have something to do with Harrison Ford’s President Ross. With Ross turning into a Hulk variant called Red Hulk, The Leader's knowledge of cellular biology could be the catalyst for his transformation.

Related: Captain America 4: Red Hulk Appears in New Marvel Merch

It seems like Nelson is transforming himself, however. " [I] worked with the Marvel team and this wonderful makeup artist named David Atherton with whom I've collaborated on a dozen movies now,” Nelson continues. "I think people are going to be pretty excited about what this guy looks like. And what he has to say and what he does.”

Captain America: Brave New World features Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Shira Haas, Liv Tyler, Xosha Roquemore, Giancarlo Esposito, and WWE Superstar Seth Rollins.

Captain America: Brave New World releases in theaters February 14, 2025.