Fans are convinced Marvel brought in a Hulk villain from Edward Norton’s movie who is smarter than Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark.

After the recent failures of the MCU, it seems that the superhero universe is going to make a comeback with its upcoming projects. As if the Deadpool and Wolverine The hype wasn’t enough, Marvel also released the first teaser Captain America: Brave New WorldThe upcoming 2025 MCU movie has caught the attention of fans after bringing back some iconic characters.

Since its announcement, one of the main highlights of Captain America: Brave New World was its strong connectivity to The Incredible HulkIt has been announced that Tim Blake Nelson will be returning as the iconic Hulk villain in the 2025 film. While we didn’t get a clear look at the Leader in the latest teaser, hawk-eyed fans haven’t taken the time to catch glimpses of him and even his dialogue.

Looks like the leader is Marvel’s main big bad guy Captain America 4

THE Captain America The trilogy starring Chris Evans still sparks discussion among Marvel fans due to the smooth action and mature storylines. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is hailed as one of the most beloved films in the universe. While it seemed like a stretch for Anthony Mackie to pull off a similar feat in his next MCU outing, the teaser proves that we could be in for another banger.

After it was announced that Captain America: Brave New World will feature the return of Samuel Sterns, aka Leader, played by Tim Blake Nelson, Many fans were eager to see how he was presented in the film. When the teaser was released, we didn’t get a clear glimpse of one of Marvel’s smartest foes, but at exactly 1:04, we can see Sterns standing in front of a window and his voiceover stating “The world power is shifting, you are just a pawn.”

Just seconds after the dialogue about world power, we get to see a pair of green hands holding a camera to capture the chaos likely caused by Isaiah Bradley. The last time we saw Sterns, he was Mr. Blue in Edward Norton’s film The Incredible HulkIn the final scene of the 2008 film, we saw Hulk’s gamma-irradiated blood seeping into a cut on his forehead with a smile on his face suggesting the arrival of Hulk’s greatest nemesis.

In the comics, the transformation gave Samuel Sterns extraordinary intelligence and expertise in physics, genetics, and robotics. With his enhanced mind, he is even stronger than Iron Man, our beloved Robert Downey Jr. From the teaser, it is very clear that what Carl Lumbley’s character was trying to do to Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford, did not seem natural. The Leader is likely the big bad and the cause of everything that happens in the film.

Fans can’t wait to see Leader in the MCU

With the serious tone, the geopolitical tension, the reference to Samuel Sterns and a brief glimpse of Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk, Captain America 4 The movie seems complete. But one of the main attractions of the Julius Onah-directed film is undoubtedly the arrival of the Leader. Soon after spotting his references in the teaser, fans took to X to express their excitement.

Take a look at some tweets:

Is that a green thumb? The boss is here. #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld pic.twitter.com/Lshp01A7BP

— It was a dream, I was reading Wizard magazine (@UpToTASK) July 12, 2024

You can hear his voice in the trailer

— Ponyboy (@Ponyboy669_) July 13, 2024

I’m glad to see Tim again after all these years. He’s a great actor and to finally see him back as a really cool MCU villain is awesome! I’m really excited for this movie after the trailer

— Nashy LV (@Nashy_LV) July 12, 2024

It only took 17 years

— Matt Boesch (@mattboesch8907) July 12, 2024

Theory: Red Hulk is the secondary villain while The Leader is the main villain and secret threat. After all, he’s been expected since that teaser in the 2008 Hulk movie.

— Naraox (@AarontheWise) July 12, 2024

He’s going to eat so badly

— Eron J. (@eronjbutler) July 12, 2024

There’s no denying that the presence of so many Hulk characters and numerous reshoots has raised doubts among fans regarding the project. But whether it’s a better marketing technique or the film’s true potential, the teaser has generated significant interest in the project. It will now be interesting to see if Captain America: Brave New World can match the standards of the previous films in the series.

Captain America: Brave New World will be released on February 14, 2025.