Captain America: New World Order Director Julius Onah cited an exciting reason he signed on for Marvel’s next sequel: the return of Tim Blake Nelson as lead.
It was revealed at this year’s D23 Expo that Nelson would be reprising his role from 2008 The Incredible Hulk role of Samuel Sterns, now in his green-skinned, bulbous form as the leader, in New world order. Onah spoke enthusiastically about the role of the villain in the fourth Captain America film during an interview with ComicBook.com’s Phase Zero following the announcement. “One of the things that really drew me to this project is that the leader is a man who operates from the intellect,” he said. “And it’s so great to have an opponent who works with this incredible intellect to really put Sam [Wilson] through the wringer in this story.”
Onah spoke further about Captain America 4, which he described as “a paranoid thriller”. “It’s this grounded adventure where I think everything that happens in this movie feels so real and intense because of who this adversary is,” he explained. “What [Captain America is] going to have to be in this movie, it’s because he has an adversary who is so awfully smart.”
Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, The Leader has been a longtime enemy of The Hulk throughout his comic book history. First appearance in 1964 Tales to Astonish #62, the character, Samuel Sterns, was exposed to gamma radiation similar to what turned Bruce Banner into the Hulk, but he gained superhuman intellect instead of strength. Likewise, The Incredible Hulk portrays Nelson’s version of Sterns as a scientist trying to cure Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) of his Hulk problem, resulting in another gamma-related catastrophe. Thus, his final scene in the film showed his brain beginning to mutate after being exposed to Banner’s blood, hinting at a future as a leader. However, Nelson’s character has not reappeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which means that New world order will pay for a tease set up nearly two decades prior.
It’s been a whirlwind for Onah since the July announcement that revealed he was leading New world order. Private Steve-Rogers Captain America fourquel will center on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) following his decision to take on the lead role in the 2021 Disney+ TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. While the director’s interest in the film was for a minor character in The Incredible Hulk, the film’s main villain was coincidentally responsible for getting the director the job. Indeed, Tim Roth, who appeared as Emil Blonsky/Abomination in the 2008 film, recently revealed that Marvel Studios asked him about his experience with Onah on set in 2019. Luce before hiring the filmmaker, thus providing a crucial working reference.
Captain America: New World Order will be released in theaters on May 3, 2024.
Source: ComicBook Phase Zero via Murphy’s Multiverse
