In the cinematic universe of superheroes, every hero needs a formidable foe. For Captain America: Brave New World, fans were introduced to the iconic villain, The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. The character's transformation into a visibly mutated figure was achieved through practical effects and makeup, though the final design deviated somewhat from the original comic book visuals.
Blue Whale Studios, responsible for crafting The Leader's appearance in the MCU film, recently shared insights into their initial concept for Sam Sterns' alter ego, which aligned more closely with the comic book version. The Atlanta-based special effects company opted for a design that emphasized a sickly appearance, featuring an engorged head and pale green skin. This design was showcased on their Instagram, offering fans a glimpse into the creative process, including a video of the prosthetics application on Nelson.
"We were originally brought on to design and apply the practical makeup for The Leader on the incomparable Tim Blake Nelson in Captain America: Brave New World," Blue Whale Studios explained. "As often happens in film, the story evolved, and during reshoots, the creative direction shifted. Our version was ultimately not used in the final cut. Still, we remain incredibly proud of the work we created."
The studio drew inspiration from the original comic book art to create a look that was both grounded and iconic, staying true to the source while achieving a refined, natural realism. They highlighted the technical achievement of the lightweight and comfortable makeup, made possible by their dedicated team.
This original design closely resembles The Leader's first appearance in the Marvel comic universe, introduced in 1964's Tales to Astonish #62. Interestingly, the final design in Brave New World mirrors more recent iterations of the character, as seen in 2018's Immortal Hulk.
The Leader's introduction into the MCU was foreshadowed back in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's Gamma radiation-infused blood. Although he remained a normal human at the time, this exposure set the stage for his transformation by the start of Brave New World.
In May of the previous year, reports surfaced that Captain America: Brave New World was undergoing reshoots to incorporate a new villainous character played by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Star Wars, and The Boys. Esposito portrays Sidewinder, the leader of the Serpent Society, in the film.
Ahead of the film's release, five-time WWE world champion Seth Rollins confirmed that his role was cut due to extensive rewrites of the script and subsequent reshoots.
