Captain America: Brave New World Cast & Marvel Character Guide

Summary

• Sam Wilson steps up as the new Captain America in Brave New World, navigating his role while dealing with government manipulation and old foes.
• A mix of familiar and new MCU characters, including The Leader and Isaiah Bradley, join Wilson in this Phase 5 sequel set for July 2024.
• President Ross takes on a new role in Brave New World, and is set to transform into Red Hulk in the movie.

Many familiar faces return for Captain America: Brave New World, and Sam Wilson’s big-screen debut as Captain America also introduces several new and exciting MCU characters. After the massive success of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+, a feature film sequel was put into development at Marvel Studios, marking Sam Wilson’s first time operating as the MCU’s new Captain America in theaters. Avengers: Endgame saw Steve Rogers pass the mantle to Wilson, but it took several episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and one murderous Captain America substitute, to convince Wilson to finally pick up the shield.

Acting as a sequel to the Captain America franchise, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and curiously, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Brave New World brings back many characters from MCU history. While the story centers on Sam Wilson’s new role as one of Earth’s most iconic Mightiest Heroes, the inclusion of a variety of Hulk-related characters has caused uncertainty about what story will unfold in the Phase 5 film. Three characters from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk are set to see the spotlight again, two of which haven’t been seen since the Hulk’s MCU solo film, and they’ll be joined by some surprising characters in Captain America: Brave New World.

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, A.K.A. Captain America

Sam Wilson’s MCU journey started in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which saw him form a close bond with Steve Rogers. As the Falcon, he became an Avenger at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron, he though was branded a fugitive only a year later in Captain America: Civil War, as he fought with Team Cap against the Sokovia Accords. After being passed the Captain America mantle by an older Rogers in Avengers: Endgame, Wilson finally wielded the shield (and sported a new vibranium suit) in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Captain America: Brave New World‘s July 2024 trailer has corroborated reports about the footage screened at CinemaCon in March 2024. Here, Wilson meets with President Ross (Harrison Ford), who discusses reforming the Avengers. After the iconic Marvel team has been absent from the MCU since Avengers: Endgame, Brave New World could finally be the beginning of reforming the team ahead of the upcoming Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

The trailer also sheds light on Wilson’s personal story in the film, which appears to be centered around him finding his place as Captain America – and navigating the complicated setup of the hero mantle being something the US government seeks to use for their own means. Promisingly, the hero appears to have gained confidence in taking on the mantle – no doubt due to the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – suggesting the movie will more test his resolve and mettle in this new position.

Danny Ramirez as Joaquín Torres, A.K.A. The Falcon

A relatively new addition to the MCU, Danny Ramirez debuted as Joaquín Torres in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Torres worked with Sam Wilson as a United States Air Force lieutenant and intelligence officer and had the honor of being the first to inform Wilson of the Flag Smashers and the threat they posed to global stability. Torres’ future as the Falcon was teased in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and his new position was confirmed by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at 2022’s D23 Expo. Torres is an important character in Sam Wilson’s Marvel Comics storyline as Captain America, so his involvement in Brave New World is very exciting.

Just as Sam formed a bond with Steve, the aforementioned Brave New World trailer confirmed that Torres is still working closely with Wilson, as the two are shown working together to try and uncover who is targeting President Ross for assassination. Moreover, McDonald’s tie-in merchandise revealed Torres’ new Falcon costume, which shows the outfit as not dissimilar from Sam’s but with a helmet instead of goggles and more greens and browns in color.

With the Brave New World trailer teasing President Ross giving Captain America the mission of reforming the Avengers, it stands to reason that the new Falcon could end up having an important role in the future of the MCU as the second official member of the new iteration of the team. However, it’s also worth noting that the character is currently in a precarious place in terms of safety in the franchise, since killing off Wilson’s main ally in the movie would stand to be an effective way to amp up the tension of the film without ending the story of a long-term MCU hero.

Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley

Carl Lumbly was also confirmed to be reprising his The Falcon and the Winter Soldier role at 2022’s D23 Expo, returning as Isaiah Bradley, a Korean War veteran who was unwillingly subjected to experiments on a super-soldier serum in the 1950s. As the government feared the ramifications of an African-American super soldier, Bradley was incarcerated for three decades. Sam Wilson was introduced to Bradley thanks to Bucky Barnes, as the pair had fought in the ’50s while Bucky was still the Winter Soldier. It’s possible that Eli Bradley, Isaiah’s grandson, could also appear in BraveNew World to become the Young Avenger known as Patriot.

The MCU movie’s trailer paints a troubling picture for Bradley in Brave New World. In one scene, Bradley is present along with Sam, Joaquínm and President Ross, when sounds over the building speakers seem to trigger some type of mind control. Bradley pulls out a gun and shoots at the president before escaping the situation. Details are unclear, but Bradley is set for at least a bit more trouble in his tumultuous MCU journey – and Captain America coming into any conflict with the veteran is sure to be challenging for Wilson given their history.

Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, A.K.A. The Leader

Tim Blake Nelson’s casting in Captain America: Brave New World came as a shock to Marvel Studios fans, as the actor had previously appeared as Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk. The second MCU film saw Sterns exposed to Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood, seemingly starting to transform him, though he hasn’t been seen nor mentioned since. In Marvel Comics, this transformation leads to Sterns becoming the Leader, a super-intelligent Hulk villain, and this has been confirmed to be his role in Captain America: Brave New World. It’s unclear what threat the Leader will pose to Sam Wilson, but Nelson’s return to the MCU is highly anticipated.

Nelson teased that Brave New World‘s take on The Leader is relatively grounded. In Marvel Comics, The Leader is to intelligence what Hulk is to strength, which sees his mental fortitude go so far as to stretch into the supernatural. However, given Nelson’s comments, it seems likely that Sterns will utilize more tangible expressions of his mental prowess. It’s possible that The Leaders is the man behind Bradley’s mind control – especially given Sterns appears to be shown in the midst of revealing this plot in the movie’s trailer – but the full extent of his involvement isn’t yet clear.

Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross

Harrison Ford was cast in the role of Thaddeus Ross in October 2022, continuing the legacy of the late William Hurt, who debuted the character in The Incredible Hulk and made various appearances in subsequent MCU projects. Ross has been confirmed to be the new President of the United States in Captain America: Brave New World, and is shown in the trailer trying to convince Sam Wilson to work with him while he works to win a new election – though seconds later the preview shows him shouting at the new Captain America, showing there will be a complicated dynamic between the pair.

A key moment from the trailer details Ross almost being assassinated by a seemingly brainwashed Isaiah Bradley, supporting the idea that the plot will revolve around Sam Wilson attempting to keep the President safe. This aligns with promises that the new movie will be more akin to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and would make Harrison Ford one of the most important figures in the entire MCU film cast.

The new Captain America: Brave New World trailer has also confirmed Ross will be taking on the form of Red Hulk in the MCU movie, following some considerable rumors and theories about this potential story avenue that were exacerbated when Red Hulk was included in promotional tie-in toys from McDonalds. Not only will this capitalize on a moment that audiences have been hoping to see for over a decade, this also suggests the character may continue to have a significant role as the franchise continues, given the recent focus on expanding the Hulk family with figures like Skaar and She-Hulk.

Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, A.K.A. Sabra

Israeli actor Shira Haas is set to make her MCU debut in Captain America: Brave New World as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a.k.a. Sabra, a mutant with the ability to transfer her life energy to others and grant superpowers to regular individuals. After her casting, Marvel Studios were met with criticism, as Marvel Comics’ Sabra has held stereotypical views of Palestians and Arabs – but Marvel Studios responded by reassuring audiences that Brave New World’s Sabra would be a fresh take on the character. Haas is perhaps best known for her starring role as Esther “Esty” Shapiro in Netflix’s 2020 miniseries Unorthodox.

Newer information has revealed that the MCU’s Ruth Bat-Seraph has been changed drastically, instead being a former Black Widow who takes up a high-ranking place in the US government. While these alterations look set to avoid the controversial aspects of the character’s story, the decision has also garnered some confusion regarding why Bat-Seraph was chosen versus making an entirely new hero.

Liv Tyler as Betty Ross

It was announced in March 2023 that Liv Tyler would reprise her The Incredible Hulk role of Betty Ross for Brave New World. Despite a variant of Ross appearing in What If…? season 1, the character has been missing from the MCU since the 2008 film, even though she played a pivotal role in Bruce Banner’s Hulk origins. Since Thaddeus Ross will be revealed to be the MCU’s President, it’s likely she’ll butt heads with her estranged father once again.

Betty Ross did also meet Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk, so perhaps she has even been working with the Leader in the lead-up to Captain America: Brave New World. It’s worth noting that Betty herself has undergone more than one major Hulk-esque transformation in the comics, having been both the Harpy and Red She-Hulk in her time, which could easily translate to her being subjected to her own transformation in the MCU, and would make her role even more major for the franchise.

Giancarlo Esposito As Sidewinder

Best known for his performance as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, Giancarlo Esposito was revealed to be cast in Brave New World in May 2024, though his exact role was at the time unconfirmed. Esposito appeared in the Captain America: Brave New World trailer, shown in dark sunglasses and holding a gun – with his debut very much being in line with the promises of a badass MCU character that the actor had teased for his then-unknown role.

Not long after, the Marvel panel at the July 2024 San Diego Comic-Con saw the reveal that Esposito’s role in the MCU will be playing Sidewinder, who is the leader of the Serpent Society in the comics. Since the MCU Sidewinder appears in a seemingly similar mercenary capacity in Captain America: Brave New World, it appears likely his comic characterization will be largely held to with the movie adaptations of the character, although the live-action iteration does appear to be a more grounded take on the Marvel villain.

Captain America: Brave New World Supporting Cast & Characters

Xosha Roquemore – Known for her roles in Precious, The Mindy Project, and Space Jam: A New Legacy, Xosha Roquemore was cast in Brave New World in January 2023. Though Roquemore’s new character in Captain America: Brave New World hasn’t been revealed, there is speculation that she could be portraying Sam Wilson’s love-interest, Leila Taylor, or even the character of Misty Knight, who was previously played by Simone Missick on Netflix’s Luke Cage, The Defenders, and Iron Fist series. Roquemore has been said to have key role in Captain America: Brave New World, but only time will tell who she will actually be playing.

Rosa Salazar – Best known as the leading, titular character in Alita: Battle Angel and for her appearances in Bird Box, The Maze Runner, and American Horror Story, Rosa Salazar has been cast in an undisclosed role in Captain America: Brave New World. However, despite no official comment confirming her part in the movie, set photos indicate that she may be playing the villainous Diamondback. Diamondback, as Rachel Leighton, is known for her prowess with thrown weapons and is a one-time member of the Serpent Society. However, in Marvel Comics, she’s also been a Captain America ally.

Seth Rollins – Like other supporting cast members, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins has not officially been tied to a role in Captain America: Brave New World. However, he was spotted in set photos with Rosa Salazar that appear to support rumors he’ll be playing Serpent Society leader King Cobra – though other rumors have suggested his role has been reduced or even outright cut from the movie during the film’s reshoots.