Captain America: New World Order Cast & Marvel Character Guide

Many familiar faces return for Captain America: New World Order, and Sam Wilson’s big-screen debut as Captain America also introduces several new and exciting Marvel characters. After the massive success of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+, a feature film sequel was put into development at Marvel Studios, marking Sam Wilson’s first time operating as the MCU’s new Captain America in theaters. Avengers: Endgame saw Steve Rogers pass the mantle to Wilson, but it took several episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and one murderous Captain America substitute, to convince Wilson to finally pick up the shield.

Acting as a sequel to the Captain America franchise, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and curiously, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: New World Order brings back many characters from MCU history. While the story centers on Sam Wilson’s new role as one of Earth’s most iconic Mightiest Heroes, the inclusion of a variety of Hulk-related characters has caused confusion about what story will unfold in the Phase 5 film. Three characters from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk are set to see the spotlight again, two of which haven’t been seen since the Hulk’s MCU solo film, and they’ll be joined by some surprising characters in Captain America: New World Order.

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, A.K.A. Captain America

Sam Wilson’s MCU journey started in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which saw him form a close bond with Steve Rogers. As the Falcon, he became an Avenger at the end Avengers: Age of Ultron, though was branded a fugitive only a year later in Captain America: Civil War, as he fought with Team Cap against the Sokovia Accords. After being passed the Captain America mantle by an older Rogers in Avengers: Endgame, Wilson finally wielded the shield (and sported a new vibranium suit) in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Captain America: New World Order will see him operating without Bucky Barnes in his big-screen debut as Captain America.

Danny Ramirez as Joaquín Torres, A.K.A. The Falcon

A new addition to the MCU, Danny Ramirez debuted as Joaquín Torres in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Torres worked with Sam Wilson as a United States Air Force lieutenant and intelligence officer, and had the honor of being the first to inform Wilson of the Flag Smashers and the threat they posed to global stability. Torres’ future as the Falcon was teased in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and his new position was confirmed by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at 2022’s D23 Expo. Torres is an important character in Sam Wilson’s Marvel Comics storyline as Captain America, so his involvement in New World Order is very exciting.

Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley

Carl Lumbly was also confirmed to be reprising his The Falcon and the Winter Soldier role at 2022’s D23 Expo, returning as Isaiah Bradley, a Korean War veteran who was unwillingly subjected to experiments on a super-soldier serum in the 1950s. As the government feared the ramifications of an African-American super soldier, Bradley was incarcerated for three decades. Sam Wilson was introduced to Bradley thanks to Bucky Barnes, as the pair had fought in the ’50s while Bucky was still the Winter Soldier. It’s possible that Eli Bradley, Isaiah’s grandson, could also appear in New World Order to become the Young Avenger known as Patriot.

Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, A.K.A. The Leader

Tim Blake Nelson’s casting in Captain America: New World Order came as a shock to Marvel Studios fans, as the actor had previously appeared as Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk. The second MCU film saw Sterns exposed to Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood, seemingly starting to transform him, though he hasn’t been seen nor mentioned since. In Marvel Comics, this transformation leads to Sterns becoming the Leader, a super-intelligent Hulk villain, and this has been confirmed to be his role in Captain America: New World Order​​​​​​​. It’s unclear what threat the Leader will pose to Sam Wilson, but Nelson’s return to the MCU is highly anticipated.

Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross

Harrison Ford was cast in the role of Thaddeus Ross in October 2022, continuing the legacy of the late William Hurt who debuted the character in The Incredible Hulk, and made various appearances in subsequent MCU projects. Ross has been confirmed to be the new President of the United States in Captain America: New World Order, so it’s clear the film will have a political standpoint. Speculation suggests that Ross will finally transform into the infamous Red Hulk in New World Order, ahead of his next appearance in Thunderbolts, though this hasn’t yet been confirmed by Marvel Studios.

Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, A.K.A. Sabra

Israeli actor Shira Haas is set to make her MCU debut in Captain America: New World Order as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a.k.a. Sabra, a mutant with the ability to transfer her life energy to others and grant superpowers to regular individuals. After her casting, Marvel Studios were met with criticism as Marvel Comics’ Sabra has held stereotypical views of Palestians and Arabs, but Marvel Studios responded by reassuring audiences that New World Order’s Sabra would be a fresh take on the character. Haas is perhaps best known for her starring role as Esther “Esty” Shapiro in Netflix’s 2020 miniseries Unorthodox.

Liv Tyler as Betty Ross

It was announced in March 2023 that Liv Tyler would reprise her The Incredible Hulk role of Betty Ross for New World Order. Despite a variant of Ross appearing in What If…? season 1, the character has been missing from the MCU since the 2008 film, even though she played a pivotal role in Bruce Banner’s Hulk origins. Since Thaddeus Ross will be revealed to be the MCU’s President, it’s likely she’ll butt heads with her estranged father once again. Betty Ross did also meet Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk, so perhaps she has even been working with the Leader in the lead-up to Captain America: New World Order.

Captain America: New World Order Supporting Cast & Characters

Xosha Roquemore – Known for her roles in Precious, The Mindy Project, and Space Jam: A New Legacy, Xosha Roquemore was cast in New World Order in January 2023. Though Roquemore’s new character in Captain America: New World Order hasn’t been revealed, there is speculation that she could be portraying Sam Wilson’s love-interest, Leila Taylor, or even the character of Misty Knight, who was previously played by Simone Missick on Netflix’s Luke Cage, The Defenders, and Iron Fist series. Roquemore has been said to have key role in Captain America: New World Order, but only time will tell who she will actually be playing.