One line from the most recent Captain America: Brave New World trailer has only increased my excitement for the film. The trailer was dubbed “First Look” by Marvel and was more of a featurette, even featuring exciting Captain America teases by Anthony Mackie himself. The behind-the-scenes look teased what is to come from the upcoming Marvel movie once it releases worldwide on February 14, 2025, from Red Hulk’s MCU introduction to the first solo adventure of Mackie’s Captain America.

Above these more overt teases for Captain America: Brave New World‘s story, however, was a more subtle hint at what is to come. I am already excited about the film, primarily due to the tone it seems to strike, which is more akin to the likes of Captain America: The Winter Soldier than the MCU efforts of recent years. That said, thanks to one line from a hidden Captain America: Brave New World villain in the “First Look” trailer, my anticipation has only increased beyond what I thought possible.

Captain America: Brave New World’s New Trailer Promises Many More Surprises

The Film Has Elements Yet To Be Revealed

Firstly, it is worth exploring the line from the trailer that was the cause of my excitement. Even beyond Anthony Mackie’s promise that Captain America: Brave New World will take audiences back to “old-school Marvel” and the sheer excitement of Harrison Ford simply having fun in the MCU, another line caught my attention. Before the trailer shows its last glimpses at the fight between Red Hulk and Captain America, a voice can be heard saying “So many surprises left.” This voice is none other than Tim Blake Nelson who is reprising his role as The Leader from The Incredible Hulk.

Given the absence of The Leader from Captain America: Brave New World‘s marketing thus far, one could be forgiven for forgetting he is part of the movie. His line in the most recent trailer, though, brings to mind that there are many elements of the film we have not yet seen. Nelson has only been shown in the shadows, not yet revealing his true appearance as The Leader. The character is set to be the film’s main villain, but the marketing has kept any major scenes involving him hidden.

Marvel’s Marketing Is Smartly Hiding Lots About Captain America: Brave New World

The Same Scenes Are Being Used In Captain America 4’s Trailers

Upon hearing this line from The Leader in Captain America: Brave New World‘s “First Look” trailer, the most pressing thought I had was how much of the film Marvel is hiding. Going back over the trailers released thus far, it has become clearer to me than ever that Marvel is reusing lots of footage from the same scenes throughout the film, especially where action sequences are concerned. This means that there are likely a great many surprises left for the movie, especially its third act, thus making The Leader’s line from the new trailer somewhat of a meta statement.

Of course, this is a smart move from Marvel. There was a period in which Hollywood movies were criticized for showing too many surprises in trailers, which was even aimed at 2024’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine. Many feared that the trailers released just before that film showed too many of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine‘s Marvel cameos. While this proved not to be the case, it seems Captain America: Brave New World is avoiding this criticism entirely. Like the best Marvel movies, from Avengers: Infinity War to Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Brave New World is seemingly saving some big moments for the theaters.

Which Surprises Are Left For Captain America: Brave New World?

With this reality in mind, the burning question is what exactly Captain America: Brave New World is keeping hidden from its marketing. For one, little of the new Falcon, Joaquin Torres, has been shown, with only the flight sequence around Eternals‘ Celestial Tiamut showcasing him and Cap in action. Another of the film’s major comic characters, Red Hulk, has only been shown in two different scenes: the one outside the White House that is likely his first transformation, and the action sequence in which he and Captain America are surrounded by blossom trees.

As alluded to, only a few brief, shadowy sH๏τs of The Leader have been shown in Captain America: Brave New World‘s marketing, meaning much more of him in all his glory will be saved for the film. Furthermore, Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross is expected to be in the movie, also reprising her role from The Incredible Hulk, yet nothing has been seen of her thus far. All of these elements hint at how many surprises are being left for Captain America: Brave New World‘s February 14 release date, as exemplified by The Leader’s ominous words in the “First Look” trailer.