Captain America: Brave New World - Top WTF Queries Explained

Marvel Studios kicked off its 2025 slate with the much-anticipated release of *Captain America: Brave New World*. However, this sequel has left fans puzzled and somewhat disappointed. It's the first film to feature Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, but it falls short of expectations (for a detailed critique, check out IGN's review of *Captain America: Brave New World*).

Throughout the movie, viewers were left with numerous unresolved questions and underdeveloped characters. Who are the new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder, and what drives them? Why does The Leader seem less of a brilliant mastermind than anticipated? And where are key characters like the Hulk and the Avengers? Let's delve into the biggest 'WTF' moments from *Captain America: Brave New World*.

Captain America: Brave New World Gallery

12 ImagesWhere Was Banner This Whole Time?

It's been 17 years since *The Incredible Hulk*, and *Captain America: Brave New World* finally offers a sequel, tying up many loose ends. We see what happened to Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns after his gamma exposure, witness Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross facing consequences for his actions, and even see Liv Tyler reprise her role as Betty Ross. Yet, amidst all this, the Hulk himself, Bruce Banner, is conspicuously absent. Given the storyline's deep connection to *The Incredible Hulk*, it's baffling that Mark Ruffalo's Banner plays no part.

Banner's nemesis, now the President of the United States, and his old friend "Mr. Blue" becoming a gamma-irradiated super-genius plotting against governments should have piqued Banner's interest. Moreover, with news broadcasts showing a crimson Hulk attacking the White House, it's surprising Banner didn't step in. Recent MCU projects like *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* and *She-Hulk* have shown Banner's continued involvement in global affairs, making his absence in *Brave New World* all the more noticeable. While Marvel may provide an explanation, such as Banner being off-world, the plot feels incomplete without him, especially in a film about the need for the Avengers to regroup.

Why Does The Leader Think So Small?

*Captain America: Brave New World* reintroduces Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, now transformed into The Leader with a giant green head and a vendetta against President Ross. Despite his superhuman intelligence, the film doesn't fully showcase Sterns' tactical prowess. He's supposed to be calculating and strategic, yet he overlooks Captain America's potential interference in his plan to spark a war between the US and Japan.

Moreover, Sterns' decision to surrender during the climax raises questions. Why sacrifice his freedom just to play a recorded phone call to the press? This move seems uncharacteristic for a mastermind who could continue plotting from the shadows. In the comics, The Leader is a formidable threat to the world, but in the movie, his motivation seems limited to humiliating Ross. Given his awareness of the impending multiversal collapse, one would expect more ambitious plans from such a significant villain.

Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?

Art by Ed McGuinness. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The film's climax features an epic showdown between Captain America and a transformed President Ross, now the Red Hulk. While rooted in comic book lore, the MCU's Red Hulk deviates significantly from its source material. In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him a strategic and ruthless adversary. However, in *Brave New World*, Ross becomes as mindless and uncontrollable as the early Hulk, even being subdued by thoughts of Betty.

While the irony of Ross becoming what he despised is compelling, fans might feel disappointed by the lack of a more comic-accurate portrayal. This was an opportunity to explore a different Hulk archetype – a battle-hardened soldier with immense strength. Hopefully, future MCU appearances of Red Hulk will offer a more distinct characterization.

Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?

Red Hulk, like the original, boasts super-strength and some level of invulnerability, as evidenced by shrugging off bullets. Yet, Captain America's vibranium blades manage to cut him. The answer likely lies in the unique properties of vibranium, which allows Sam's weapons to penetrate Red Hulk's skin in ways traditional projectiles cannot. This sets the stage for potential future confrontations involving even more durable materials like adamantium.

Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?

Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief cameo, revealing his new role as an aspiring politician. This development raises eyebrows, considering Bucky's past as a manipulated assassin and his lack of prior political aspirations in the MCU. While it's refreshing to see Bucky and Sam's bromance continue, his sudden shift to politics feels out of character. More details on Bucky's political journey may emerge in the upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie.

Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly?

With Crossbones gone, *Brave New World* introduces Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder as a new antagonist. Sidewinder, leader of the Serpent terrorist cell, has a personal vendetta against Captain America, willing to kill him without compensation. However, the film fails to explain this animosity, leaving viewers puzzled. Given the reshoots and cuts made to the film, it's possible an earlier script provided more context. With Esposito hinting at Sidewinder's future in a Disney+ series, this unresolved thread needs attention.

What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?

In the absence of Black Widow and Sharon Carter, *Brave New World* introduces Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative now working for President Ross. While initially an obstacle, Ruth eventually becomes an ally. However, her role in the narrative feels underwhelming, serving as a minor hurdle before fading into the background. Marvel's decision to adapt Sabra from the comics, but alter her significantly, raises questions about why not create an entirely new character instead.

What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now?

The film introduces adamantium, a new super-metal discovered during the race to exploit Tiamut's remains. While it drives the plot, acting as a MacGuffin for global tensions, its broader implications remain unclear. Will adamantium's introduction significantly alter the MCU's power dynamics, or is it merely a setup for Wolverine's eventual debut? Given the MCU's slow pace in addressing plot threads, we may have to wait to see how adamantium shapes the future.

Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?

Years after *Endgame*, the MCU still lacks a cohesive Avengers team. Despite introducing numerous new heroes, Marvel has yet to bring them together effectively. *Brave New World* touches on the idea of reassembling the Avengers, with Sam Wilson wrestling with leadership, but it doesn't advance the storyline. The film's climax could have benefited from a larger team-up, similar to *Captain America: Civil War*. With *Avengers: Doomsday* approaching in 2026, the lack of groundwork for a reunion is concerning.

What did you find most puzzling about *Captain America: Brave New World*? Should the film have included more Avengers? Share your thoughts in the comments below: