‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Director On What It Took To Get Liv Tyler Back in the MCU

Liv Tyler has officially returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Brave New World, reprising her role as Dr. Betty Ross after more than a decade away. However, bringing her back wasn’t an easy task. Director Julius Onah recently shared how he convinced Tyler to return and why it was important to secure her involvement early in the process.

Onah explained that he personally reached out to Tyler via Zoom to discuss the project and gauge her interest. “We knew Liv was willing to come back when I had a Zoom with her. You dream these things, you work these things out, but then you just have to actually go talk to the human being,” he said.

Tyler had stepped back from acting for a while, focusing on other aspects of her life. Onah wanted to make sure she felt connected to the story and the role before committing. “She had taken a bit of a step back from acting, focusing on other things in her life, and she’s such an incredible human being,” he said.

“But I just went and did a Zoom and had a very honest conversation with her, like I did with every other actor who was going to become involved, as to emotionally and thematically what this movie was trying to accomplish and why I thought it would be worth their time and their talents. Luckily, she responded.”

Since Tyler’s role was planned from the early stages, Onah had to lock in her return early in development. He recalled, “It was right during the development process. I think I had the Zoom with her probably in early 2023 because it takes time to make a deal and prep and all that other stuff. So, it had to be well in advance so that if for some reason it wasn’t going to work out, whether scheduling or whatnot, we would have the opportunity to make another choice or decision.”

Although her appearance in the film is brief, it carries emotional weight. Betty shows up at the very end of the movie, visiting her father, President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, after he transforms into Red Hulk and wreaks havoc on the White House. Harrison Ford steps into the role of Ross, taking over from the late William Hurt.

Interestingly, behind-the-scenes footage revealed that Tyler’s character was originally meant to have a larger role. One scrapped scene featured a funeral that both Betty and a battered Sam Wilson were supposed to attend. Had that scene remained, it might have altered the trajectory of Thaddeus Ross’ story in the MCU.

Tyler’s return also adds to Marvel’s ongoing effort to revisit elements from The Incredible Hulk. Alongside her, Tim Blake Nelson returns as Samuel Sterns, now fully transformed into The Leader. While it’s unclear whether Tyler will reprise her role in future projects, Captain America: Brave New World leaves the door open for her and Ross to appear again.

What do you think about Liv Tyler’s return as Betty Ross? Would you like to see more of her in the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!