Captain America: Brave New World - Top WTF Questions Answered

Marvel Studios has kicked off its 2025 slate of movies with the release of *Captain America: Brave New World*. However, if this sequel is any indication, we’re in for a challenging year for the MCU. It’s not the strong outing we were hoping for from the first movie to star Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson as the new Captain America (see IGN's *Captain America: Brave New World* review for more).

At times, *Brave New World* left us puzzled and grappling with some of the film’s unresolved questions and underdeveloped characters. Who exactly are new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder? Why does The Leader seem less than a brilliant mastermind? Where’s the Hulk? Where are the Avengers? Let’s delve into our biggest WTF questions after seeing *Captain America: Brave New World*.

Captain America: Brave New World Gallery

12 ImagesWhere Was Banner This Whole Time?

It only took 17 years, but Marvel finally gave us a sequel to *The Incredible Hulk* in *Captain America: Brave New World*. This movie picks up many loose ends from Hulk’s first (and so far only) solo MCU adventure. We finally learn what happened to Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns after his gamma exposure. Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross is finally facing the consequences of his actions. It’s even the first time since *The Incredible Hulk* that Liv Tyler has reprised her role as Betty Ross.

However, one key element is conspicuously absent: the Hulk himself. Why did Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner have no part in a story that builds so directly on *The Incredible Hulk*? Surely Banner would have a response to his old nemesis becoming President of the United States. He would be keen to know that his friend “Mr. Blue” is now a gamma-irradiated super-genius plotting to overthrow governments. And he would definitely want to help when footage of a crimson Hulk destroying the White House hits the news.

*Brave New World* wouldn’t have needed to stretch to justify Banner’s inclusion. *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* established that Banner, alongside Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, is keeping a watchful eye on the world post-Avengers. *She-Hulk* shows him busy with research and raising his son, Skaar. So why was Banner totally missing during this latest Hulk-related crisis?

Marvel will likely provide an explanation, perhaps suggesting Banner was off-world with Skaar. But that doesn’t change the fact that there’s a significant Banner-shaped hole in *Brave New World*’s plot. The film focuses on Sam Wilson accepting the need for the Avengers, yet it barely features Sebastian Stan’s Bucky, and there was surely room for Banner in some capacity.

*Brave New World* marks the return of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, who has undergone a radical transformation since *The Incredible Hulk*. With a giant green noggin and a deep-seated grudge against President Ross, Sterns now boasts superhuman intelligence thanks to gamma radiation.

Yet, the film fails to fully showcase Sterns’ tactical brilliance. He’s supposed to be a master of probabilities and planning, but he consistently underestimates Captain America. We’re meant to believe he orchestrated a war between the US and Japan without considering Cap’s potential intervention.

We’re also puzzled by Sterns willingly turning himself in during the climax. Why give up freedom for a simple masterstroke of playing a recorded phone call to the press? Why not remain at large and continue plotting?

Story-wise, *Brave New World* feels strangely unambitious, particularly with Sterns. In the comics, Sterns, known as The Leader, is a brilliant supervillain mastermind threatening the world. Here, he’s reduced to a man obsessed with humiliating Harrison Ford’s Ross. Such a small motivation for a major Marvel villain, especially one who can foresee Earth’s doomsday.

Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?

Brave New World culminates in an epic battle between Cap and a transformed President Ross, who Hulks out in front of the world, becoming the very thing he always despised. This plot twist, rooted in Marvel’s comics, sees the MCU’s Red Hulk diverging from his comic counterpart.

In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him smarter, more ruthless, and tactically experienced. In the movie, however, Ross is as mindless and uncontrollable as Banner’s early Hulk, even calmed by thoughts of Betty.

While the irony of Ross becoming like the Hulk is appreciated, it’s disappointing that *Brave New World* doesn’t offer a more accurate comic book portrayal of Red Hulk. We’ve seen various iterations of Hulk, and this was a chance to explore a different take: a battle-tested soldier with limitless strength. Hopefully, future MCU appearances of Red Hulk will take a different direction.

Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?

As Red Hulk, Ross has powers similar to the Hulk, including super-strength and invulnerability, as seen when he shrugs off bullets. So why can Cap’s projectile blades cut him?

The answer likely lies in vibranium. Sam’s blades and wings, made from Wakandan vibranium, can pierce Red Hulk’s flesh in a way traditional projectiles cannot. The same could apply to adamantium, setting the stage for a future Hulk vs. Wolverine clash in the MCU.

Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?

Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes makes a brief cameo, revealing he’s now an aspiring politician on the campaign trail. This raises the question: why is Bucky running for Congress?

Nothing in his previous MCU appearances suggested political aspirations. As a 110-year-old man with a history of being manipulated into assassinations, this seems like a heavy burden for any political campaign.

While it’s nice to see Bucky included and nod to his bromance with Sam, the idea of the angsty, anti-social Bucky becoming a politician is puzzling. We’ll likely learn more about his political career in the upcoming *Thunderbolts* movie.

With Frank Grillo’s Crossbones killed off in *Captain America: Civil War*, *Brave New World* introduces Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder, leader of the terrorist cell Serpent. Sidewinder and his team are hired by Sterns to steal adamantium from Japan.

However, Sidewinder harbors a personal grudge against Captain America that’s never fully explained. He admits he would kill Sam for free, and even after capture, vows to finish the job.

What exactly is Sidewinder’s beef with Cap? The movie leaves this question unanswered. It’s possible an earlier script delved deeper into their rivalry. *Brave New World* underwent significant reshoots, including cutting Seth Rollins’ character, rumored to be another Serpent member. Esposito has hinted at Sidewinder’s future role in a Disney+ series, suggesting this thread will be addressed.

What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?

In the absence of Black Widow and Sharon Carter, *Brave New World* introduces Shira Haas’ Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative now working as a bodyguard and agent for President Ross. Initially clashing with Sam, she eventually becomes an ally as she uncovers the conspiracy.

However, Ruth’s role feels underwhelming. At best, she’s a minor obstacle turned ally, fading into the background. It’s as though Marvel felt compelled to include a Black Widow archetype without knowing how to utilize her fully. Her role may have been impacted by reshoots.

We also question why Marvel adapted the Sabra character from the comics, given how different Ruth is in the MCU. No longer an Israeli operative or a mutant with superpowers, why not create a new character?

*Brave New World* introduces adamantium to the MCU, a new super-metal discovered in the race to exploit Tiamut’s riches, promising to shift the global balance of power.

However, adamantium mostly serves as a plot device. It’s the reason for global powers nearing war, yet we’re left wondering about its true impact and future implications. Will this be the last time powers fight over adamantium, or is the Ross/Ozaki Accords merely a temporary solution?

Adamantium’s introduction clearly paves the way for the MCU’s Wolverine, but what other ramifications will it have? Is it as significant as vibranium, which absorbs sound energy? Given the MCU’s timeline, it may take years before adamantium’s loose end is addressed elsewhere.

Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?

It’s been years since the MCU had an Avengers team, both in the real world and the MCU’s timeline post-*Endgame*. Despite introducing new heroes like Yelena Belova, Shang-Chi, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight, the MCU hasn’t brought them together as Avengers.

By the end of Phase 2, we had two Avengers movies and were gearing up for more in Phase 3. Now, at the end of Phase 5, the Avengers seem no closer to reforming. With *Avengers: Doomsday* approaching in 2026, the MCU has done little to lay the groundwork for a reunion, focusing instead on new character introductions.

*Brave New World* pays lip service to reassembling the team, but stops short. Ross suggests it, and Sam contemplates leadership, yet the film doesn’t advance the Avengers' return. The climax could have benefited from more heroes, making the battle with Red Hulk more engaging. *Brave New World* could have been a team-up movie like *Civil War*, but instead, the new Avengers will start from scratch in *Doomsday*.

What do you think? What had you saying “WTF?!?” after watching *Brave New World*? And should we have seen more Avengers in the latest Captain America movie? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below:

For 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.