MCU’s Next Hulk Story Is All But Confirmed Thanks To Captain America 4

It was announced at the D23 Expo 2022 that the main villain of Captain America: New World Order will be The Leader, hinting at the MCU’s next Incredible Hulk story. The Leader (aka Samuel Sterns) frequently appears as one of the Hulk’s main enemies, which means many D23 viewers were scratching their heads when the character was announced as a villain in a Captain America movie. However, by looking at the direction that the MCU is headed with The Leader, this Captain America: New World Order news likely confirms the next Hulk storyline.

The Leader first appeared in The Incredible Hulk, with Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) becoming infected with Bruce Banner’s gamma-radiated blood through a cut on his head. Sterns’ head begins mutating as he lies on the floor, potentially setting him up as a villain for a sequel. However, The Incredible Hulk 2 never happened, and although Samuel Sterns was one of the MCU’s first villain teases, The Leader has yet to appear in another MCU project. With the announcement that The Leader will be the antagonist of Captain America 4, though, it seems possible that another story centered around the Hulk could be a major focus for the MCU going forward.

The title Captain America: New World Order hints that The Leader will be attempting to pull off a classic plan. In the comics, The Leader is obsessed with making a master race of Hulks – and he needs Hulk blood to do it. The origin of Jennifer Walters’ She-Hulk as a result of becoming infected with Banner’s blood, proves that the MCU can create more Hulks through this method. Some are even theorizing that The Leader may be trying to get She-Hulk’s blood in order to make more Hulks, with the Wrecking Crew being hired to get Jennifer Walters’ blood by a mysterious boss in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Combined with the title of Captain America 4, having The Leader as a villain strongly suggests that Captain America and The Winter Soldier may be facing off against an army of newly created gamma monsters – possibly with the help of Hulk.

Will Hulk Be In Captain America: New World Order?

Bruce Banner and the Hulk have largely become a supporting character in the MCU, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to cameo in Captain America: New World Order. Hulk has appeared in Thor: Ragnarok and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, proving that Mark Ruffalo is willing to play a supporting role in various MCU projects. On top of that, Hulk really needs to fight The Leader in his cinematic debut. While Sam Wilson is strong, there is no way he can take down an army of The Leader’s Hulks, he’ll need Bruce Banner’s help.

While nothing is confirmed, it only makes sense for Bruce Banner to be in Captain America: New World Order. D23 implied that The Leader’s plans may revolve around gamma radiation and the creation of an army of Hulks, and Banner really needs to appear at the start of a major Hulk-centric MCU arc. The Leader will be the main villain of Captain America: New World Order and Captain America recruiting the Incredible Hulk in order to stop him just makes sense.