SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers for the ending of “Captain America: Brave New World,” now playing in theaters.
Captain America is back — and so are several characters from “The Incredible Hulk,” “Eternals” and more corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Anthony Mackie is the new Captain America after taking up the mantle and shield in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” He’s also brought along Danny Ramirez, aka Joaquin Torres, to become his own teammate the Falcon and Carl Lumbly as the veteran super soldier Isaiah Bradley.
Multiple characters from the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk,” which was the second MCU movie, are also back for the first time in more than 15 years. Tim Blake Nelson, who had a supporting role as scientist Samuel Sterns in “The Incredible Hulk,” has returned, this time in a larger, more evil role. There’s also Liv Tyler, who starred as Betty Ross, the daughter of General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross and the girlfriend of Edward Norton’s Bruce Banner (before he was replaced by Mark Ruffalo). “Indiana Jones” star Harrison Ford takes on the part of Ross, who’s been elected president of the United States, from the late William Hurt, who originated the role in “The Incredible Hulk.”
“Captain America: Brave New World” even features the return of Tiamut the Celestial from the 2021 MCU entry “Eternals.” It’s the first time we’ve seen another “Eternals” character in live-action since their debut film.
See all the major characters from “Captain America: Brave New World” below.
Anthony Mackie as Captain America
Last seen in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has officially taken on the Captain America mantle and picked up the shield. He’s given the task by President Ross to reassemble the Avengers and be their new leader.
Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross/Red Hulk
Harrison Ford joins the MCU as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who was previously played by the late William Hurt in “The Incredible Hulk.” Not only does Ross take over the Oval Office, he also accidentally takes some gamma-irradiated pills, transforms into the Red Hulk and battles Cap. In the end, he’s gives himself over to the Raft prison and tells Sam to reform the Avengers.
Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns/Leader
After playing a supporting role in “The Incredible Hulk,” Tim Blake Nelson is back as scientist Samuel Sterns. After “Hulk” teased his villain turn into the super-smart Leader, Nelson goes full bad guy in “Brave New World,” complete with green skin and an enlarged brain. He’s revealed to have orchestrated the entire plot to turn Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross into the Red Hulk to get his revenge for his green transformation. Like the comics, Sterns uses mind control to get others to do his bidding. He’s locked up in the Raft at the end of the movie, and teases the existence of alternate dimensions in the MCU.
Celestial Island
“The Incredible Hulk” isn’t the only past MCU movie referenced in “Brave New World,” as one of the Celestials from 2021’s “Eternals” plays a major role. Remember when the Eternals stopped Tiamut, a giant Celestial, from being born from the center of the Earth and destroying the planet? So they turned Tiamut into marble and he’s been stuck in the middle of the ocean this entire time? Well, world leaders are now fighting over who controls this Celestial Island and its resources — which includes adamantium, the hardest material known to man. The inclusion of adamantium is also a nod to the X-Men, as Wolverine’s claws are famously coated in the metal.
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
Sebastian Stan reappears as Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, in a brief cameo to offer some words of wisdom to his pal Sam as he struggles with doubt over taking up Cap’s shield. It’s also revealed that Bucky is on his way to become a U.S. congressman.
Liv Tyler as Betty Ross
Liv Tyler makes her MCU return as Betty Ross after originally appearing in “The Incredible Hulk” as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’ daughter and Bruce Banner’s girlfriend. Now, Betty is Bruce’s ex and estranged from her father, but they share a touching reunion after Thaddeus is locked in jail.
Danny Ramirez as Falcon
After getting introduced in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) officially debuts as the new Falcon alongside Sam’s Captain America. His new suit is greener than Sam’s Falcon costume and has similar jet-propelled wings. After surviving a crash, he gets an offer from Sam to join the new Avengers team.
Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley
Carl Lumbly first appeared as Isaiah Bradley, a Korean War veteran who was given super soldier serum and experimented on, in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” In “Brave New World,” he’s framed for an attempted assassination on President Ross. It’s later revealed Isaiah was being mind-controlled by Samuel Sterns as Cap saves him and frees him from jail.
Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph
Shira Haas comes to Cap’s aid as secret agent Ruth Bat-Seraph. In the comics, Ruth is known as the Israeli Mossad agent Sabra, but the movie reimagines her origins and gave her some past Black Widow training. The announcement of her character stirred some controversy, as Marvel removed her Mossad origins for the movie.
Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder
The leader of the villainous (and snake-themed) Serpent Society, Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder is the first villain Captain America faces in the movie. In exchange for a lighter prison sentence, he reveals to Cap that he’s actually working for Samuel Sterns/Leader, but he vows to escape prison and eventually kill Cap.
