Seven Things You Missed in the Captain America: Brave New World Teaser

Captain America: Brave New World is returning to the MCU's roots, presenting what appears to be a creative reset for the titular hero. After inheriting the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson will find himself in the middle of a new conspiracy in next year's blockbuster.

The first teaser for the film is light on story details, though it does hide its fair share of surprises. While Marvel is yet to reveal more about the film's big players, eagle-eyed viewers have picked up on certain secrets in the film's first bit of marketing. Here is everything you missed in the Captain America: Brave New World teaser.

President Thunderbolt Ross/Red Hulk

The last time Captain America and General Thaddeus Ross were in the same room, the Avengers were divided by a civil war. It looks like Ross wants to avoid another conflict with the superhero team, though his new position as the President will put him in conflict with Sam. In the teaser, he tells Sam that he wants to make "Captain America" an official military position, but in the footage unveiled at CinemaCon , he says he wants Sam's help to reunite the Avengers.

We won't know what his real motivations are until the movie comes out, but it's probably not going to work out well. Harrison Ford now plays Ross for the first time in the MCU, and it won't be the only shade we'll see of him, as the final shot of the teaser gives us our first glimpse at Red Hulk. While the footage makes it look like Sam will be facing off against Ross' Hulk form, we can't help but feel there's some classic Marvel misdirection going on here.

Isaiah Bradley as a Brainwashed Winter Soldier?

Many would agree that Isaiah Bradley was one of the best parts of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier . The former super soldier was forced to hide from the world but was given a monument at the Smithsonian. by the end of the show. So why would a former super soldier, one of the good ones, suddenly decide to shoot the President? The teaser doesn't reveal it, but the CinemaCon footage showed a mysterious voice taking control of secret service agents, including Bradley, to orchestrate a Presidential assassination.

The Leader Returns

Tim Blake Nelson is the second The Incredible Hulk star to appear in Captain America 4 , and he looks very different. Those who've watched the second MCU film will remember Nelson's Samuel Sterns getting a bit of Hulk blood transfusion against his wishes, which slowly started to mutate his head. As seen in the teaser, Sterns has now embraced his identity as the Leader, pulling the strings from behind the curtains. As the Leader, Sterns possesses superhuman intelligence, though what nefarious plans he uses it for remains to be seen.

Ruth Bat-Seraph/Sabra

Perhaps the most controversial character to be added to the film, Shira Haas joins the MCU as Ruth Bat-Seraph, though comic book readers will recognize her alter ego Sabra. In the comics, Sabra is an agent of the Israeli secret service and has a troublesome background that wouldn't quite fit a Disney movie. Marvel Studios is changing her to instead be an ex-Black Widow trusted by President Ross, and if previous toy leaks are anything to go by, Ruth will play a very important role in the MCU.

Giancarlo Esposito as G.W Bridge?

Who is Giancarlo Esposito playing in Captain America: Brave New World? The question has been on everyone's mind since the first set photos revealed the actor joining the MCU. While Esposito himself claims no one has guessed it, some fans may have already cracked the code. The predominant fan theory is that Esposito is playing George Washington Bridge, a mercenary who has worked for SHIELD in the comics.

Bridge has been known to apprehend various Marvel characters on the run, including Cable and the Punisher. Given that character's ties to Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, it's possible we may see Esposito return in next year's Thunderbolts* .

Tiamut the Celestial

Remember the giant Celestial emerging out of the Earth in Eternals ? Tiamut hasn't been mentioned in the MCU since, but it may serve as a cool backdrop for a set piece in Brave New World . Many shots in the trailer, especially towards the end show Captain America in his new suit flying through a jet. If you look closely in the background, you can see Tiamut's hand and head emerging out of the ocean, though whether the Celestial's remains will play a bigger role in the film is a mystery. Perhaps the alien's unbreakable body may give us our first introduction to Adamantium in the MCU, following however Deadpool & Wolverine resolves.

A New Falcon

In the same shots where you can see Tiamuth, we get our first official glimpse at Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) as the new Falcon. His new suit is painted green, though we doubt his wings are also made of Vibranium like Cap's. It's a shame that McDonald's ads have revealed the Falcon suit in its full glory, though Marvel is still keeping the full reveal under wraps.

Captain America: Brave New World releases in theaters on February 14, 2025.

Related: Agatha All Along Trailer: Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza Lead the MCU’s Coven