Captain America: Brave New World - Our Biggest WTF Questions

Captain America: Brave New World leaves viewers with several lingering questions. This Marvel Studios film, while launching their 2025 movie slate, falls short of expectations, leaving many plot points unresolved and characters underdeveloped. Let's delve into the biggest unanswered questions.

Captain America: Brave New World Image Gallery

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Where Was Bruce Banner?

Seventeen years later, Marvel finally delivered a sequel to The Incredible Hulk, addressing loose ends from the original film. However, Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is conspicuously absent. Given the direct connection to The Incredible Hulk, Banner's lack of involvement is puzzling. His expertise and relationship with the central conflict would have logically warranted his presence. While Marvel might offer an explanation (off-world with Skaar, for instance), his absence leaves a significant plot hole in a film about the need for a new Avengers team.

The Leader's Limited Scope

Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, now The Leader, lacks the strategic brilliance expected of such a villain. His actions seem short-sighted, failing to account for Captain America's intervention and culminating in a surprisingly simple surrender. His motivation appears limited to personal animosity towards President Ross, rather than the world-threatening schemes expected of his comic book counterpart.

Red Hulk's Uninspired Portrayal

The film's Red Hulk deviates significantly from the comic book version. Instead of a cunning, tactically adept monster, the MCU's Red Hulk is a mindless rage machine, mirroring the early Hulk's portrayal. This missed opportunity to present a unique Hulk variation is disappointing.

Inconsistent Weapon Effectiveness

Red Hulk's invulnerability to bullets is contradicted by Captain America's ability to injure him with vibranium blades. While vibranium's superior properties likely explain this discrepancy, it raises questions about the consistency of power levels within the film.

Bucky's Unexpected Political Career

Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes' surprising foray into politics feels out of character and unexplained. His past actions and personality don't suggest a natural transition to a political career.

Sidewinder's Unexplained Grudge

Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder harbors a personal vendetta against Captain America that remains unexplained. This unresolved conflict hints at potential backstory omitted from the final cut, possibly due to reshoots.

Sabra's Unclear Purpose

Shira Haas' Ruth Bat-Seraph, a Black Widow archetype, feels underutilized. Her role seems primarily to serve as a temporary obstacle before becoming an ally, leaving her contribution to the overall narrative unclear. The adaptation of the Sabra character from the comics also feels arbitrary given her significant alterations.

Adamantium's Significance

The introduction of adamantium, while setting up future storylines (potentially Wolverine's introduction), lacks immediate impact. Its role as a MacGuffin driving the plot raises questions about its long-term significance within the MCU.

The Absent Avengers

The film's focus on a solo Captain America story neglects the larger picture of the Avengers' reformation. The lack of groundwork for a new team, despite the film's theme of rebuilding the Avengers, leaves the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday with a significant hurdle. The climax, potentially enhanced by the inclusion of other Avengers, feels underwhelming.

These unanswered questions and underdeveloped aspects leave Captain America: Brave New World feeling incomplete and raise concerns about the overall direction of the MCU's Phase 5.