Many familiar faces return for Captain America: Brave New World, and Sam Wilson’s big-screen debut as Captain America also introduces several new and exciting MCU characters. After the success of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+, a feature film sequel was put into development at Marvel Studios, marking Sam Wilson’s first time operating as the MCU’s new Captain America in theaters. Avengers: Endgame saw Steve Rogers pᴀss the mantle to Wilson, but it took several episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and one murderous Captain America subsтιтute, to convince Wilson to finally pick up the shield.

Acting as a sequel to the Captain America franchise, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and curiously, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Brave New World brings back many characters from MCU history. While the story centers on Sam’s new role as Cap, the inclusion of a variety of Hulk-related characters caused uncertainty about what story will unfold in the Phase 5 film. Several characters from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk see the spotlight again, two of whom haven’t been seen since the Hulk’s MCU solo film, and they are joined by some surprising characters in Captain America: Brave New World.

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, A.K.A. Captain America

Born September 23, 1978

Active Since: 2002

Actor: Anthony Mackie has played Sam Wilson for the majority of the MCU, first appearing in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Though he is primarily known for his role as the character, Mackie has been acting since the early-2000s, appearing in a variety of movies and shows in that time. These include 8 Mile, The Hurt Locker, and Altered Carbon.

Character: After being pᴀssed the Captain America mantle by an older Rogers in Avengers: Endgame, Wilson finally wielded the shield (and sported a new vibranium suit) in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In Captain America: Brave New World, he embraces his place as the character as the film takes him through another political conspiracy, and eventually wants to put together the Avengers once again.

Danny Ramirez as Joaquín Torres, A.K.A. The Falcon

Born September 17, 1992

Active Since: 2016

Actor: Danny Ramirez is a relatively new actor, having only begun his career in 2016. Since that time, he has appeared in shows like The Gifted, and On My Block, as well as his first MCU appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He also appeared in Top Gun: Maverick and ᴀssᴀssination Nation.

Character: A relatively new addition to the MCU, Danny Ramirez debuted as Joaquín Torres in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Torres worked with Sam Wilson as a United States Air Force lieutenant and intelligence officer before he had the honor of being the first to inform Wilson of the Flag Smashers and the threat they posed to global stability. In Captain America: Brave New World, he is operating as the new Falcon, working alongside Anthony Mackie’s Captain America.

Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley

Born August 14, 1951

Active Since: 1979

Actor: Carl Lumbly has been working as an actor for decades, best known for his roles in M.A.N.T.I.S., Alias, and Cagney & Lacey. Alongside being in the MCU, Carl Lumbly has experience working with DC, voicing Martian Manhunter in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, while also appearing in Supergirl.

Character: Carl Lumbly plays Isaiah Bradley, a Korean War veteran who was unwillingly subjected to experiments on a super-soldier serum in the 1950s. As the government feared the ramifications of an African-American super soldier, Bradley was incarcerated for three decades. Sam Wilson was introduced to Bradley thanks to Bucky Barnes, as the pair had fought in the ’50s while Bucky was still the Winter Soldier. In Captain America: Brave New World, he attempts to ᴀssᴀssinate President Ross due to being brainwashed.

Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, A.K.A. The Leader

Born May 11, 1964

Active Since: 1989

Actor: Tim Blake Nelson has been working as an actor for decades, with his first role coming in The Unnaturals in 1989. Since then, he has made a name for himself with roles in projects like Holes, Minority Report, and HBO’s Watchmen. Known mostly as a character actor, Tim Blake Nelson always makes the most of his parts.

Character: Tim Blake Nelson returns to his role after he previously appeared as Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk. The second MCU film saw Sterns exposed to Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood, seemingly starting to transform him, though he hadn’t been seen nor mentioned since. In Captain America: Brave New World, the character fully becomes the Leader, manipulating President Ross until he eventually turns into Red Hulk.

Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross

Born July 13, 1942

Active Since: 1964

Actor: One of the most iconic actors of all time, Harrison Ford is known for his monumental roles in Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Blade Runner, though he has proven time and again to be an incredibly talented actor beyond that. Prior to Star Wars, Ford had a breakthrough supporting role in George Lucas’ American Graffiti.

Character: Harrison Ford was cast in the role of Thaddeus Ross, continuing the legacy of the late William Hurt, who debuted the character in The Incredible Hulk and made various appearances in subsequent MCU projects. Ross is the President of the United States in Captain America: Brave New World, and eventually becomes Red Hulk after being manipulated by the Leader during the course of the film.

Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, A.K.A. Sabra

Born May 11, 1995

Active Since: 2010

Actor: Getting her start in the Israeli film industry, Shira Haas enjoyed an international breakthrough for her role in the Netflix series, Unorthodox. Alongside that, she has appeared in projects like Asia, and Bodies.

Character: Shira Haas makes her MCU debut in Captain America: Brave New World as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a.k.a. Sabra, though her character has been changed drastically from her mutant ties, instead being a former Black Widow who takes up a high-ranking place in the US government. She is close allies with President Ross, who puts her on a collision course with Captain America.

Giancarlo Esposito As Sidewinder

Born April 26, 1958

Active Since: 1968

Actor: Best known for his role as Gus Fring in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Giancarlo Esposito is one of the most beloved actors working today. Alongside his iconic role, he has performed in projects like The Mandalorian, Do the Right Thing, and The Boys. It was only a matter of time until Giancarlo Esposito joined the MCU.

Character: Giancarlo Esposito plays Sidewinder in Captain America: Brave New World, the leader of the Serpent Society. He steals adamantium from Japan in the film, and is thwarted by Captain America before he can sell it. After getting away, Sidewinder tries to kill Captain America, revealing that he was hired by the Leader.

Captain America: Brave New World Supporting Cast & Characters

Liv Tyler as Betty Ross: Liv Tyler returns to the MCU for the first time since her role in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. As the daughter of President Ross and former love interest to Bruce Banner, she is an important part of the MCU’s history.

Xosha Roquemore as Leila Taylor: Though she doesn’t have a mᴀssive role, Leila Taylor is the head of the Secret Service working for President Ross, giving her an important task in defending the President.

Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Copperhead: A minor role, Copperhead is a member of the Serpent Society, working under Giancarlo’s Sidewinder during the events of the film.

William Mark McCullough as Commander Dennis Dunphy: Like most of the supporting characters in the film, Commander Dennis Dunphy plays a minor role as a member of the United States Armed Forces.

Takehiro Hira as Prime Minister Ozaki: The character plays a small role in the film as Japan’s prime minister, and the plot point is used to set up the conflict between Sam Wilson and Sidewinder over adamantium.

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier: In a surprise cameo, Sebastian Stan appears in Captain America: Brave New World, making it his first appearance as the character since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, setting the stage for his return in Thunderbolts*.

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