The surprising return of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns to the MCU has generated a great deal of excitement and speculation about what the character’s presence in Captain America: New World Order might men for Anthony Mackie’s Captain America. It’s been 14 years since Sterns was seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk when his character was exposed to some of the Hulk’s gamma irradiated blood and began his transformation into The Leader.
Now, Captain America: New World Order director Julius Onah gets to tell the next chapter in Sterns’ story and, according to him, it’s one of the reasons he took the job in the first place.
One of the things that really drew me to this project is The Leader is a man who operates from intellect. And it’s so great to have an adversary who is working with this incredible intellect to really put Sam through the wringer in this story. And again, it’s a paranoid thriller; it’s this grounded adventure where I think everything that happens in this film feels so real and intense because of who this adversary is. What he’s going to have to go through in this film is because he’s got an adversary who is so terrifyingly intelligent.
Julius Onah
Onah’s enthusiasm for The Leader and the challenge he’ll pose for Sam Wilson is encouraging. It sounds like Sam will find himself no closer than one step behind Sterns (and any possible accomplices of his) as he’s picked apart. Wilson may have to lean on his newly formed support network of Joaquin Torres and the Bradleys for some help as the “terrifyingly intelligent” Sterns’ plan unfolds. Just what Sterns will have in store for Cap will likely be kept in the dark until promotion for Captain America: New World Order starts ahead of its May 3rd, 2024 theatrical release.
Source: Phase Zero
