One line from the most recentCaptain America: Brave New Worldtrailer has only increased my excitement for the film. The trailer was dubbed “First Look” by Marvel and was more of a featurette, even featuring excitingCaptain Americateases by Anthony Mackiehimself. The behind-the-scenes look teased what is to come from theupcoming Marvel movieonce it releases worldwide on July 11, 2025, from Red Hulk’s MCU introduction to the first solo adventure of Mackie’s Captain America.
Above these more overt teases forCaptain America: Brave New World’s story, however, was a more subtle hint at what is to come. I am already excited about the film, primarily due to the tone it seems to strike, which is more akin to the likes ofCaptain America: The Winter Soldierthan the MCU efforts of recent years. That said, thanks to one line from a hiddenCaptain America: Brave New Worldvillainin the “First Look” trailer, my anticipation has only increased beyond what I thought possible.
Captain America: Brave New World’s New Trailer Promises Many More Surprises
The Film Has Elements Yet To Be Revealed
Firstly, it is worth exploring the line from the trailer that was the cause of my excitement. Even beyond Anthony Mackie’s promise thatCaptain America: Brave New Worldwill take audiences back to"old-school Marvel"and the sheer excitement of Harrison Ford simply having fun in the MCU, another line caught my attention. Before the trailer shows its last glimpses at the fight between Red Hulk and Captain America, a voice can be heard saying"So many surprises left.“This voice is none other than Tim Blake Nelson who is reprising his role as The Leader fromThe Incredible Hulk.
Who Is The Leader? Captain America: Brave New World’s Hidden Villain Explained
The Leader will be flying in the face of convention by debuting as a villain in Captain America: Brave New World and here’s what can be expected.
Given the absence of The Leader fromCaptain America: Brave New World’s marketing thus far, one could be forgiven for forgetting he is part of the movie. His line in the most recent trailer, though, brings to mind that there are many elements of the film we have not yet seen. Nelson has only been shown in the shadows, not yet revealing his true appearance as The Leader. The character is set to be the film’s main villain, but the marketing has kept any major scenes involving him hidden.
Marvel’s Marketing Is Smartly Hiding Lots About Captain America: Brave New World
The Same Scenes Are Being Used In Captain America 4’s Trailers
Upon hearing this line from The Leader inCaptain America: Brave New World’s “First Look” trailer, the most pressing thought I had was how much of the film Marvel is hiding. Going back over the trailers released thus far, it has become clearer to me than ever that Marvel is reusing lots of footage from the same scenes throughout the film, especially where action sequences are concerned. This means that there are likely a great many surprises left for the movie, especially its third act, thus making The Leader’s line from the new trailer somewhat of a meta statement.
Of course, this is a smart move from Marvel. There was a period in which Hollywood movies were criticized for showing too many surprises in trailers, which was even aimed at 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine.Many feared that the trailers released just before that film showed too many ofDeadpool & Wolverine’s Marvel cameos. While this proved not to be the case, it seemsCaptain America: Brave New Worldis avoiding this criticism entirely. Like the best Marvel movies, fromAvengers: Infinity WartoAvengers: Endgame,Captain America: Brave New Worldis seemingly saving some big moments for the theaters.
Which Surprises Are Left For Captain America: Brave New World?
With this reality in mind, the burning question is what exactlyCaptain America: Brave New Worldis keeping hidden from its marketing. For one, little of the new Falcon, Joaquin Torres, has been shown, with only the flight sequence aroundEternals' Celestial Tiamutshowcasing him and Cap in action. Another of the film’s major comic characters, Red Hulk, has only been shown in two different scenes: the one outside the White House that is likely his first transformation, and the action sequence in which he and Captain America are surrounded by blossom trees.
As alluded to, only a few brief, shadowy shots of The Leader have been shown inCaptain America: Brave New World’s marketing, meaning much more of him in all his glory will be saved for the film. Furthermore, Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross is expected to be in the movie, also reprising her role fromThe Incredible Hulk, yet nothing has been seen of her thus far. All of these elements hint at how many surprises are being left forCaptain America: Brave New World’s February 14 release date, as exemplified by The Leader’s ominous words in the “First Look” trailer.
Captain America: Brave New World
Cast
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
