Captain America: Brave New World - Top WTF Mysteries Unveiled

Marvel Studios has launched its 2025 movie lineup with the release of Captain America: Brave New World. However, this sequel suggests that the MCU might be in for a challenging year. The film, which marks Anthony Mackie's debut as the new Captain America, has left audiences with more questions than answers, as noted in IGN's review.

Throughout Brave New World, viewers were left puzzled by unresolved plot points and underdeveloped characters. The introduction of new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder raises questions about their roles and motivations. The portrayal of The Leader, Samuel Sterns, also falls short of expectations for a mastermind. Notably, the absence of key characters like the Hulk and the Avengers leaves a significant gap in the narrative. Let's delve into the most pressing questions that emerged from watching Captain America: Brave New World.

Captain America: Brave New World Gallery

12 ImagesWhere Was Banner This Whole Time?

After 17 years, Marvel has finally delivered a sequel to The Incredible Hulk with Captain America: Brave New World. This movie ties up many loose ends from the original Hulk film, 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. Liv Tyler returns as Betty Ross, marking her first appearance since The Incredible Hulk. Yet, one crucial element is missing: the Hulk himself. Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is notably absent from a story that directly builds on his past.

Given Banner's history with Thaddeus Ross and Samuel Sterns, his absence is particularly glaring. The film could have easily justified his involvement, especially considering his role as a global watchdog alongside Captain Marvel, as established in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Despite his busy life with research and raising his son Skaar, as seen in She-Hulk, Banner's absence leaves a void in the plot. While Marvel might explain his absence later, perhaps with an off-world mission, the lack of Banner in Brave New World feels like a missed opportunity, especially in a film about the need for the Avengers to regroup.

Why Does The Leader Think So Small?

Brave New World reintroduces Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, now known as The Leader, sporting a large green head and a vendetta against President Ross. The film portrays Sterns as a superhumanly intelligent being, yet his actions and plans seem less than brilliant. His failure to account for Captain America's interference in his schemes, such as the war between the US and Japan, raises doubts about his supposed tactical genius.

Moreover, Sterns' decision to surrender during the film's climax to execute his final move against Ross—simply playing a recorded phone call to the press—seems overly simplistic for a character known for his intricate plans. In the comics, The Leader is a formidable mastermind with global ambitions, but in the movie, his goals are limited to personal revenge against Ross. This narrow focus feels underwhelming for a villain with the potential to threaten the world.

Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?

Art by Ed McGuinness. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The film's climax features a battle between Captain America and a transformed President Ross, who becomes the Red Hulk. While rooted in the comics, the MCU's Red Hulk diverges significantly from the source material. In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him a strategic and ruthless adversary. However, in Brave New World, Ross loses control and becomes as mindless as the early versions of the Green Hulk, even being calmed by thoughts of Betty.

The irony of Ross becoming what he despised is compelling, but the film misses the opportunity to explore the unique aspects of Red Hulk from the comics. Fans hope that future MCU appearances will showcase a more comic-accurate version of the character, highlighting his intelligence and military experience.

Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?

Red Hulk's powers, similar to the Green Hulk's, include super-strength and invulnerability, as demonstrated when he shrugs off bullets. However, Captain America's vibranium blades manage to cut him. This discrepancy is likely due to the unique properties of vibranium, which can penetrate Red Hulk's skin in ways conventional weapons cannot. The same principle would apply to adamantium, setting the stage for future confrontations, such as a potential Hulk vs. Wolverine showdown.

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 is surprising given Bucky's history, including his age and past as a manipulated assassin. The film hints at his political aspirations but leaves audiences questioning how someone with his background could realistically pursue a political career.

While it's refreshing to see Bucky's character evolve and continue his friendship with Sam, the transition to politics feels abrupt and unexplained. More context might be provided in the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie, but for now, Bucky's new path remains a puzzling choice.

Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly?

With Crossbones out of the picture, Brave New World introduces Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder as the new secondary villain. Sidewinder leads the terrorist group Serpent and is hired by Sterns to steal adamantium. However, his intense personal vendetta against Captain America is never fully explained. Despite his capture and subsequent escape, Sidewinder's primary goal remains to kill Cap, leaving viewers to wonder about the roots of his animosity.

The film underwent significant reshoots, possibly affecting the clarity of Sidewinder's motivations. Esposito has hinted at further exploration of the character in a future Disney+ series, suggesting that this plot thread may be resolved later.

What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?

In the absence of familiar faces like Black Widow and Sharon Carter, Brave New World introduces Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative turned government agent. Initially an adversary, Ruth becomes an ally after uncovering a deeper conspiracy. However, her role in the overall narrative feels underdeveloped, serving mainly as a minor obstacle before fading into the background.

The choice to adapt the Sabra character from the comics, despite significant changes to her background and powers, raises questions about her inclusion. It seems like an attempt to fill the void left by other female agents without fully integrating her into the story. The impact of reshoots on her role remains unclear, but her presence in the film feels somewhat superfluous.

What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now?

Brave New World introduces adamantium, a new super-metal discovered during the race to exploit Tiamut's remains. The metal becomes a central plot device, driving global tensions and conflicts. While it sets the stage for future MCU developments, particularly the introduction of Wolverine, its broader implications remain uncertain. Will adamantium become as pivotal as vibranium, or is its significance limited to this film?

Given the MCU's slow pace in addressing plot points from previous films, it may take time before adamantium's role is fully explored. Until then, its introduction feels like a setup for future stories rather than a game-changer in the present.

Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?

Despite the introduction of numerous new heroes in recent years, the MCU has yet to reunite the Avengers. Brave New World touches on the idea of reforming the team, with Sam Wilson grappling with his role as a potential leader. However, the film does little to advance this narrative, leaving the Avengers' reunion feeling distant.

The absence of key Avengers during the film's climax, which could have benefited from a team-up, highlights the missed opportunity to build momentum toward Avengers: Doomsday. While the movie emphasizes Sam's journey, a more significant inclusion of other heroes could have enriched the story and set the stage for the upcoming Avengers film.

What are your thoughts on Captain America: Brave New World? Did you have any "WTF?!?" moments? Should the film have included more Avengers characters? Share your opinions in the comments below: