Marvel Studios has kicked off its 2025 slate with the release of *Captain America: Brave New World*, marking the first film to feature Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. However, the sequel has left fans puzzled and somewhat disappointed (see IGN's Captain America: Brave New World review for more details). The film struggles with unresolved questions and underdeveloped characters, leaving viewers with numerous "WTF" moments. Let's delve into the biggest questions that arose from the movie.
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Where Was Banner This Whole Time?
Captain America: Brave New World serves as a sequel to The Incredible Hulk, tying up many loose ends from that film. It reveals the fate of Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns post-gamma exposure, sees Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross facing consequences for his past actions, and even brings back Liv Tyler as Betty Ross. Yet, one glaring omission is the absence of the Hulk himself, Bruce Banner, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.
Banner's exclusion feels particularly odd given the film's direct connections to The Incredible Hulk. His old nemesis, Thaddeus Ross, becoming President of the United States, and the re-emergence of "Mr. Blue" as a gamma-irradiated mastermind should have been compelling reasons for Banner's involvement. Moreover, with the Avengers disbanded, as established in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Banner's ongoing research and family life from She-Hulk, his absence is even more conspicuous. Marvel might have a reason for this, such as Banner being off-world with his son, Skaar, but his absence leaves a noticeable gap in the plot, especially in a film that emphasizes the need for the Avengers to regroup.
Why Does The Leader Think So Small? -----------------------------------Tim Blake Nelson returns as Samuel Sterns, now known as The Leader, a superhumanly intelligent villain transformed by gamma radiation. However, Brave New World doesn't fully showcase Sterns' supposed brilliance. He orchestrates a war between the US and Japan but seems to overlook Captain America's potential interference. Additionally, his decision to turn himself in during the climax to play a recording of a phone call to the press feels anticlimactic and shortsighted for someone of his intellect.
In the comics, The Leader is a formidable mastermind, yet in the film, his motivations seem limited to personal vendettas against Ross. This narrow focus feels underwhelming, especially considering Sterns' ability to calculate global doomsday scenarios. The film could have portrayed him as a more ambitious threat, aligning with his comic book counterpart.
Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?
While the irony of Ross becoming what he despised is compelling, the film misses an opportunity to explore a more nuanced version of Red Hulk. A battle-tested soldier with limitless strength could have offered a fresh take on the Hulk archetype. Hopefully, future MCU appearances will provide a more accurate representation of this character.
Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?
Red Hulk's powers mirror those of the Green Hulk, including super-strength and invulnerability. Despite being bulletproof, he is vulnerable to Captain America's vibranium blades. This suggests that vibranium's unique properties allow it to pierce Red Hulk's flesh, a detail that could foreshadow future confrontations with other vibranium or adamantium-wielding characters like Wolverine.
Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?
Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief cameo, revealing he is now running for Congress. This development raises questions about Bucky's sudden shift to politics, given his past as the Winter Soldier. His history of assassinations and manipulation by others seems at odds with a political career. While it's refreshing to see Bucky's character evolve, the film leaves us puzzled about his motivations and the feasibility of his political aspirations. More details might be revealed in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie.
Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly? ----------------------------------------------Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder, leader of the terrorist group Serpent, becomes a new adversary for Captain America. Despite being hired by Sterns to steal adamantium, Sidewinder's personal vendetta against Cap remains unexplained. His determination to kill Sam, even after being captured, hints at a deeper backstory that the film fails to explore. Given the significant reshoots Brave New World underwent, it's possible that earlier versions of the script provided more clarity on Sidewinder's motives. Future MCU projects, including Esposito's teased role in a Disney+ series, may shed light on this unresolved plot point.
What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?
Shira Haas' Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative and President Ross' bodyguard, introduces a new dynamic to the film. Initially an obstacle to Sam, she eventually becomes an ally. However, her role feels underdeveloped, serving as a minor plot device rather than a fully realized character. The choice to adapt the Sabra character from the comics, albeit with significant changes, raises questions about the necessity of her inclusion. Her presence in the film might have been influenced by reshoots, but her overall impact remains minimal.
What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now? ------------------------------------Brave New World introduces adamantium to the MCU, a new super-metal discovered during the race to exploit Tiamut's remains. While it serves as a plot device to escalate tensions between global powers, its broader implications remain unclear. The introduction of adamantium paves the way for characters like Wolverine but leaves fans wondering about its long-term impact on the MCU. Given the slow pace at which Marvel addresses plot threads, it may be some time before we see adamantium's full significance.
Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?
Years after *Endgame*, the MCU still lacks a reformed Avengers team. Despite introducing numerous new heroes, *Brave New World* does little to advance the formation of a new team. The film touches on the idea of regrouping, with Sam accepting the leadership role, but fails to bring other heroes into the fold. The climactic battle against Red Hulk could have benefited from a larger team-up, similar to *Captain America: Civil War*. With *Avengers: Doomsday* on the horizon, the lack of groundwork for a new Avengers team is concerning.What do you think? What had you saying “WTF?!?” after watching Brave New World? And should the latest Captain America movie have included more Avengers? Share your thoughts in the comments below:
AnswerSee ResultsFor more on Captain America and the future of the MCU, check out our *Brave New World* ending explained breakdown and see every Marvel movie and series in development.
