I actually think the Leader’s controversial design in Captain America: Brave New World is perfect for the MCU. Tim Blake Nelson first appeared as Dr. Samuel Sterns in the MCU back in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, introduced as a cellular biologist, known as Mr. Blue, who helps Bruce Banner and Betty Ross try and find a cure for the gamma radiation in Banner’s blood. Sterns was teased to have a bigger role in the MCU at the end of The Incredible Hulk, but we didn’t see him again until 2025’s recent Captain America: Brave New World.

I was glad to see many of The Incredible Hulk’s most annoying loose ends finally get addressed in Captain America: Brave New World. Thaddeus Ross became the Red Hulk, Betty Ross returned for the first time since Phase 1 and Samuel Sterns was finally reintroduced as the Leader, following in the footsteps of his powerful Marvel Comics counterpart. While it’s great to see Sterns return, there’s one huge difference between the live-action and Marvel Comics versions of the Leader that has caused some controversy, but I don’t agree with these criticisms.

The Leader’s Design In Captain America: Brave New World Has Caused A Stir

Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader Doesn’t Look Like His Marvel Comics Counterpart

Samuel Sterns’ Leader first appeared in 1964’s Tales to Astonish #62 as a menial worker at the chemical plant where his brother worked as a researcher. One day, Sterns was accidentally bombarded with gamma radiation, enlarging his head, turning his skin green and granting him an enhanced intellect. This allows him to become a formidable villain and the archenemy of Bruce Banner’s Hulk, but this backstory was drastically changed for the MCU. It wasn’t just his history that was changed, however, as Marvel Studios also dramatically altered the Leader’s design.

In Marvel Comics, the Leader is a vivid green and has an enlarged brain inside his head, but he doesn’t look all too gruesome and, typically, he still has hair despite his deformities. We saw this take a very different turn in the live-action MCU, as the Leader appeared in Captain America: Brave New World with a much more grotesque and mutated look, having been exposed to Bruce Banner’s blood in The Incredible Hulk. Marvel has received criticism for changing the Leader’s iconic Marvel Comics design, but I think it was perfect for the MCU.

I Prefer The Leader’s More Realistic Design In Captain America: Brave New World

Samuel Sterns Looked Gruesome In Brave New World (& I Loved It)

I understand that it’s a controversial H๏τ take, but I much prefer the design of the Leader in Captain America: Brave New World to that of his Marvel Comics counterpart. I think the big-headed, bright green and still-haired Leader appearance would have looked outlandish and hilarious in live-action, which would have completely broken the more-grounded storyline of Brave New World. We’ve already seen this happen – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania did not benefit from giving MODOK his comic-accurate design.

I’m very glad Marvel Studios didn’t repeat this easy-to-avoid mistake with Samuel Sterns’ Leader, as it would have been a huge shame for Tim Blake Nelson’s return to the MCU to be tainted by a disappointing design. His more visceral and gruesome design in Captain America: Brave New World feels more based in reality, which I thought was an inspired choice by Marvel. This surely helped with Nelson’s performance as Sterns, a character he hadn’t touched in almost 17 years, and gave Brave New World a more grounded villain that better fit the Phase 5 movie’s story.

The Leader’s Design Fit Captain America: Brave New World’s Story Better

Captain America: Brave New World Was A Grounded MCU Story

Captain America: Brave New World prided itself on being a grounded reintroduction to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson as his first theatrical adventure as the MCU’s new Captain America. Pitting him against villains such as Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder and Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk helped to highlight this more down-to-Earth storyline. Bringing back Samuel Sterns with a more comic-accurate design would have completely ruined this, and would have transformed Brave New World into a silly spectacle, rather than something more akin to Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Not only did the Leader’s design in Captain America: Brave New World fit better into the movie’s storyline, but this also marked a shocking and memorable return for Tim Blake Nelson to the MCU. The acclaimed actor deserved to make this impact after being absent from the MCU for so long, but bringing him back with his big, green head may have made this much-anticipated return too funny. I am so glad Captain America: Brave New World chose a more real and believable design for the Leader, and I hope he returns to show off more of his terrifying powers.

Upcoming MCU Movies

• 
  
  

  
  

  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  Powered by

  
  

  
  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  MCU Spider-Man 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse