Captain America's "Brave New World" Suit Inspired by Comics

Every superhero narrative needs a compelling antagonist, and in Captain America: Brave New World, that role was filled by The Leader. Actor Tim Blake Nelson underwent practical effects and makeup to portray the visibly mutated character, though the final design diverged somewhat from his classic comic book appearance.

Blue Whale Studios, the team behind the character's design and effects for the MCU film, has now shared their initial interpretation of Sam Sterns' alter ego—one that hewed much closer to the original comics.

The Atlanta-based special effects company originally envisioned a particularly sickly aesthetic for the character. Their artists unveiled this design on Instagram, featuring a distended head and pale green skin. While relatively straightforward, this concept lacked the intricate mutation details that were later incorporated into the final version. Their post also included a fascinating behind-the-scenes video showing the prosthetic application process on Nelson.

"Our initial assignment was to design and apply the practical makeup for The Leader, portrayed by the incomparable Tim Blake Nelson in Captain America: Brave New World," explained Blue Whale Studios. "As often occurs in filmmaking, the narrative evolved during reshoots, leading to a shift in creative direction. Consequently, our version didn't make it into the final cut. Nevertheless, we remain immensely proud of what we created.

"Inspired by the original comic art, we crafted a look that felt both grounded and iconic—faithful to the source material while achieving a polished, natural realism. Technically, we were particularly pleased with how lightweight and comfortable the final makeup proved for the actor—an accomplishment made possible by our extraordinary team's dedication."

This original design actually bears strong resemblance to the character's debut in the Marvel comic universe. The Leader first appeared in 1964's Tales to Astonish #62, though interestingly, the final film design also has comic roots—his Brave New World incarnation more closely mirrors the character's recent portrayal in 2018's Immortal Hulk.

The Leader's potential as an MCU villain was first teased all the way back in 2008's The Incredible Hulk. In that film, Sam Sterns is exposed to Bruce Banner's gamma-radiation-infused blood. While still human at that point, the intervening years clearly transformed him into the character we meet at the beginning of Brave New World.

Last May, reports confirmed that Captain America: Brave New World underwent reshoots to accommodate Giancarlo Esposito's new villainous character. The Breaking Bad, Star Wars, and The Boys actor portrays Sidewinder, leader of the Serpent Society.

Prior to the film's release, five-time WWE world champion Seth Rollins confirmed his role was cut following extensive script revisions and subsequent reshoots.