The recent unveiling of Funko Pop! figures for Marvel Studios’ upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World
has given fans a first look at the as yet unseen villain from the 2025 movie. It is no secret that the movie will bring Red Hulk to brutal life as Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross is transformed into the big crimson monster, but it is easy to forget that another character is responsible for the creation of the creature: The Leader.

The character’s return for the first time since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk is one of the most intriguing parts of the new movie, but so far Marvel Studios has – surprisingly for them – not yet unveiled the character’s official appearance. However, Funko’s new range of Brave New World figures has provided an idea of what Tim Blake Nelson
’s returning villain will look like – and fans aren’t happy with it.
The design of Marvel Cinematic Universe characters and how they compare to their comic book counterparts is always a subject that causes division and arguments online. Whether changes in gender, altering an iconic costume, or even just making changes to an origin story, it is very hard to please everyone where the MCU is concerned. Now, fans are already sharing their reaction to the apparent look of The Leader, and it is bringing back nostalgic feelings of Ugly Sonic.
What Are People Saying About The Leader’s Design in ‘Brave New World’?

Dr. Samuel Sterns, originally portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson 16 years ago, is a cellular biologist who assists Bruce Banner in seeking a cure for his gamma-induced transformations. In the movie, Sterns was exposed to Banner’s contaminated blood and began his mutation into The Leader. However, with The Incredible Hulk being one of those movies caught up in a legal copyright tangle, it has taken a long time for the MCU to reveal the result of that moment.
While the actor has previously spoken about his delight at being asked to reprise his role, fans are not happy that the film seems to have abandoned the character’s comic accurate appearance, and they have been very vocal in expressing their annoyance and displeasure.

One user responded to the post by saying, “This movie is going to be a garbage fest!” Another followed this up with, “Are they just gonna make The Leader a guy who is green. His forehead doesn’t look big in the funko.” A third added, “I fear The Leader’s head needs to be bigger.”

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There were also those who are quite accepting that trying to work out the on-screen appearance of The Leader from a Funko figure can be quite tricky and are happy to wait for the first official live-action still of the character. From other toy marketing and some very unclear packaging images, it does seem that The Leader has similar attributes as in the comics, namely his big, bulbous head, which may help ride the wave of doubt once the movie actually arrives. Overall, it just seems like there are some people who don’t want to like anything Marvel Studios delivers, but what really matters is how Brave New World performs when it is released in February.

Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers’ successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.

Release Date

February 14, 2025

Rating

Cast

Harrison Ford
, Liv Tyler
, Giancarlo Esposito
, Rosa Salazar
, Takehiro Hira
, Anthony Mackie
, Tim Blake Nelson
, Shira Haas
, Carl Lumbly
, Danny Ramirez
, Rachael Markarian
, Jacqueline Loucks
, Tony Mareno
, Zo’Anne Mckinstry
, Phuong Kubacki
, Colby Lopez
, Xosha Roquemore

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