Tim Blake Nelson Explains Why He Chose To Return to the MCU: “I had only one request”

Captain America: Brave New World is slated for release on February 14, 2025, and, barring any major changes, will be the penultimate movie in Marvel’s Phase Five. The film will feature Anthony Mackie as the new Captain America, succeeding Steve Rogers, with some intriguing twists in store.

Additionally, several characters will make their return to the MCU, including Thaddeus Ross, now portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt. Also making a surprising comeback is Samuel Sterns, a minor villain from The Incredible Hulk.

Tim Blake Nelson’s character makes an appearance in the trailer, and with the actor returning to the role, the movie is shaping up to be a bit of a reunion for The Incredible Hulk cast. At San Diego Comic-Con, Nelson discussed his return to the role.

The trailer revealed at SDCC unmistakably confirms Samuel Sterns’ return for the movie, though his face and appearance are kept obscured, which is a notable detail. The brief glimpses of Sterns suggest that his skin may now be green, indicating that his transformation into the Leader, hinted at in The Incredible Hulk, has been completed.

This development will undoubtedly be a significant moment. As previously reported, Captain America: Brave New World is expected to feel like a sequel to The Incredible Hulk, especially with Anthony Mackie confirming that Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk will also return.

Tim Blake Nelson has confirmed his return to the role and stated that Sterns’ transformation into the Leader was a crucial factor in his decision to reprise the character.

“I had only one request, which was that we realize the character practically. I really wanted to have the weight and feel of the character and have the deformation of the character and have the other actors experience that. It was 16 years later and the character has a lot of pathos and rage, and I needed to grow up a little bit to meet those challenges as an actor.”

Source: Entertainment Weekly

With this development, there’s definitely much to look forward to regarding the Leader, and it certainly heightens our excitement for what’s ahead.

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