Captain America 4: Uncovering the Hidden Secrets and Surprising References!

by

Captain America: A Bold New Journey marks the 35th installment in the Marvel Universe on Screen, introducing Anthony Mackie as Captain America for the first time in a standalone movie. With over 17 years of Marvel movies and shows, plus the vast comic book history, there are numerous Easter eggs and references to discover. Unlike many MCU films, however, Captain America: A Bold New Journey primarily revolves around a close-knit group of characters from the franchise, with only a few new faces and limited larger hints. It’s challenging to consider elements like Red Hulk or adamantium as Easter eggs since they are heavily promoted in the film’s promotion material.

In the movie “Captain America: Brave New World,” there’s a wealth of delightful nods and winks to previous stories, some of which even extend beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For instance, the connection between the two actors portraying Thaddeus Ross, as well as characters from the Captain America comics that tie in with Sam Wilson – these are the most significant Easter eggs and references found within “Captain America: Brave New World.

Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New World

11
The Title Relates to the Introduction of Adamantium

The title of Captain America: Brave New World evokes Aldous Huxley’s 1932 dystopian novel Brave New World, which was named after a quote from William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. In Act V, Scene 1, Miranda says, “O wonder! How many wonderful beings there are here! How beautiful mankind is! O brave new world, that has such people in it.” In the novel, Huxley examines a dystopian society resulting from scientific progress.

As a movie connoisseur, I’d say that “A Brave New World” is a term frequently used to denote a significant shift in history, one that ushers in a new era with an unpredictable course. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this seems to allude to the unearthing of Adamantium, a virtually indestructible metal surpassing the might of vibranium. It also appears to refer to the present state of the MCU, where humanity is grappling with novel norms, such as re-acclimating post-Blip, the appearance of the colossal Celestial head in the Indian Ocean, and the emergence of super beings of unprecedented power.

10
Previously in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Brave New World” serves as a continuation from previous Marvel series like “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”, “The Incredible Hulk”, and “Eternals”. To ensure that viewers who didn’t watch Disney+ series don’t feel lost, this film spends a lot of time explaining characters and storylines. Unfortunately, this results in dialogue that can seem stiff and explanatory.

These are the MCU projects that Captain America: Brave New World catches the audience up on:

  • The Incredible Hulk – The movie features Thaddeus Ross, Samuel Sterns/The Leader, and Betty Ross from the 2008 film. The movie’s opening news coverage of the election revisits the key plot points of The Incredible Hulk and Ross’ role.
  • Black Widow – Ruth Bat-Seraph has been changed from the Israeli superhero Sabra into a former Black Widow agent who was freed following the events of the 2021 film.
  • Eternals – The giant Celestial head sticking out of the Indian Ocean, which is the source of adamantium, was established in the 2021 film.
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – Isaiah Bradley’s history as a successful living test subject of the super soldier serum and his 30 years as a prisoner of war are major plot points. Joaquin Torres/The New Falcon got the wingsuit from Sam Wilson in the series. The movie also catches audiences up on Sam Wilson’s costumes, which are a gift from the Wakandans and can charge vibranium energy.

9
Captain America: World War Hulks

The Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU) frequently takes significant cues from comic books, such as “Captain America: Civil War,” which is a free adaptation of the “Civil War” comic series, or “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which was heavily influenced by Jason Aaron’s “Gorr the God Butcher” storyline and Jane Foster’s “Mighty Thor.” The franchise also generates unique tales, blending elements from decades of comics by combining various characters to create new narratives, as demonstrated in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In my perspective as an enthusiastic supporter, the upcoming movie “Captain America: Brave New World” is set to weave a mostly unique tale using fragments of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history, particularly from “The Incredible Hulk,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Black Widow,” and “Eternals.” Yet, it’s not all new; there’s a hint of comic book influence, notably the “World War Hulks” storyline. Unlike the 2007 “World War Hulk,” where the Hulk comes back to Earth to wage war against heroes, this “World War Hulks” is a 2010 tale by Greg Pak and Jeph Loeb that delves into Thaddeus Ross’s transformation into the Red Hulk and the Leader’s connection to it. This film appears to be the second instance where a significant Hulk storyline has been adapted for another MCU hero’s movie, as “Thor: Ragnarok” took heavy inspiration from the 2006 “Planet Hulk.

8
Same Man, Different Face, Same Joke

In the White House, when Sam Wilson encounters President Ross, he mentions that he’s yet to fully adapt to the changed appearance. To this, Ross jokes that someone advised him to trim his mustache. This joke not only references the fact that William Taft, the 27th U.S. president, was the last one with a mustache, but also pokes fun at the fact that Ross has a revised look due to a recast.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thaddeus Ross, who was played by William Hurt in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk and later passed away, has been replaced by Harrison Ford. While Hurt sported Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’s signature mustache from the comics in all his MCU appearances, Ford only sports it for a short news conference scene set during the events of The Incredible Hulk.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share a fun fact: Marvel isn’t new to incorporating humorous in-jokes like the one in Iron Man 2 (released in 2010). Remember when Don Cheadle stepped into the shoes of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, replacing Terrence Howard? Well, the Marvel Cinematic Universe acknowledged this cast change in a clever way. In a surprising turn, Rhodey made a grand entrance, turning towards the camera with a casual, “Hey, it’s me. I’m here. Deal with it.” Tony Stark was taken aback, but Rhodey quickly moved on, saying, “Let’s just get on with it.

In 2022’s “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” when Jennifer Walters discusses representing Emil Blonsky / The Abomination with her cousin Bruce Banner, he brings up the time of their old fight by saying, “That battle took place so long ago. I’ve changed dramatically since then, not just figuratively.” This reference works in the Marvel universe because Bruce Banner and the Hulk have merged, but it’s also a humorous nod to how Edward Norton previously played Bruce Banner in “The Incredible Hulk” before Mark Ruffalo took over the role. Jennifer Walters even acknowledges the joke by laughing along, breaking the fourth wall.

7
Harrison Ford and William Hurt’s Deeper Connection

It’s possible that the casting of Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross in future Marvel films could be seen as an unexpected homage, given that he and the late William Hurt never shared a screen together. Interestingly, at the 58th Academy Awards, Hurt won Best Actor for his role in “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” beating out Harrison Ford’s nomination for “Witness.” These two actors, however, were not connected through any previous film roles.

2008 saw William Hurt debut as General Thaddeus Ross in “The Incredible Hulk”, while that same summer brought Harrison Ford back to his iconic character, Indiana Jones, in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”. In this film, it’s revealed that Indy has a close relationship with an Army general, but not just any general. The Army general portrayed by Alan Dale is none other than General Ross, a friend of Indiana Jones. That year, Ford shared the screen with General Ross, and in 2025, Ford himself stepped into the role of General Ross (now the President), who had previously been played by the actor who won Best Actor when Ford was up for nomination.

6
Where Has The Leader Been?

Contrary to what the promotions of “Captain America: Brave New World” might lead you to believe, it’s actually Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, who serves as the main antagonist. Tim Blake Nelson returns to his role from “The Incredible Hulk”. In this film, we learn that Sterns has been held captive by General Ross for 17 years, hidden away so that nobody knew of his whereabouts. The Leader is the one who saved Ross’s life following the heart attack he mentioned in “Captain America: Civil War”.

In this scenario, the character in control uses the 1959 song “Mr. Blue” by The Fleetwoods to exert mind control over his subjects. This ties back to “The Incredible Hulk,” where a character named Samuel Sterns used the alias “Mr. Blue” to communicate with Bruce Banner. In the original storyline, “Mr. Blue” was first introduced in a comic book run by Bruce Jones and John Romita Jr., specifically in issue #34 published in November 2001 of The Incredible Hulk series. However, it’s worth noting that in the comics, it was Betty Ross who was communicating with Bruce Banner under the “Mr. Blue” persona, not as previously stated.

5
Demolition Man

In the story ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, Sam Wilson has an associate who goes by the name Dennis Dunphy, portrayed by William Mark McCullough. In the comics, this character is also known as Demolition Man or D-Man, a lesser-known Marvel hero. His costume, which is a blend of Wolverine’s and Daredevil’s original yellow and red attire, might be familiar to some due to its unique design.

It’s plausible that his appearance in “Captain America: Brave New World” is well thought out, given that Demolition Man was a companion to the Captain America character portrayed by Steve Rogers. Unlike traditional depictions, this character won’t be seen in a costume and won’t exhibit any superhuman abilities. Viewers shouldn’t anticipate frequent appearances of him, as he meets his end at the hands of The Leader near the film’s conclusion. The purpose of introducing D-Man is more about honoring the rich history of Captain America comics rather than introducing a new MCU hero.

4
Leila Taylor

Actress Xosha Roquemore enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Leila Taylor, a Secret Service agent assigned to President Ross. In the movie, it is hinted that she and Sam Wilson share a past, but their relationship isn’t delved into deeply. It’s also worth noting that Leila Taylor is a character from the comic books, first appearing in Captain America #139 from July 1971, which was created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.

In the comics, Leila Taylor holds a significant romantic role for Sam Wilson. She was among the initial individuals who learned his hidden identity. However, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, there’s no indication of a past or present romantic relationship between Leila and Sam Wilson. Their interactions remain subtle and unclear, leaving room for potential development in future installments.

3
The Serpent Society Finally Arrives Over a Decade After Marvel First Teased Them

In the film “Captain America: Brave New World,” we see the introduction of the Serpent Squad in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though they go by the name ‘Serpent’ here. In their comic book origins, they are a band of villains known for their snake-themed attire. The MCU presents them as a hired gun group that adopts snake-themed aliases, much like the Deadly Vipers from “Kill Bill,” whose names were inspired by Marvel Comics’ Serpent Society.

In my perspective as a fan, I’ve always connected The Serpent Society with Captain America’s antagonists. Back in 2014, Marvel Studios pulled an interesting trick during their Phase 3 movie announcement press conference. They initially hinted at the third Captain America film being titled “Captain America: Serpent Society,” only to reveal later that it was a misdirection and the actual title was “Captain America: Civil War.” Fast forward eleven years, and the Serpent Society has finally arrived in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Two of its notable members, Sidewinder and Copperhead, are portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson respectively, marking their debut in the MCU.

It’s not just significant who is in the film, but also those who aren’t. For instance, during the 2024 reshoots, WWE star Seth Rollins’ role was replaced by Giancarlo Esposito as previously reported. Interestingly, another actor, Alita: Battle Angel star Rosa Salazar, originally cast as Diamondback, was also removed from the film. In the initial cut of the movie, Diamondback seemed to have a more substantial part, considering the character had her own toy in the McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion a year before the film’s release. The reason for Salazar’s removal remains unknown, and there is no trace of her character in the final version of the film.

2
The Raft

Towards the close of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” characters Thaddeus Ross and Samuel Sterns wind up incarcerated on The Raft. This penal facility, situated amidst the sea, was initially presented in “Captain America: Civil War” as a detention center for those with superhuman abilities. Prior to this, it housed Sam Wilson, Clint Barton, Scott Lang, and Wanda Maximoff; these individuals were freed by Steve Rogers. The Raft draws inspiration from the penitentiary of the same name that debuted in “The New Avengers” #1 back in 2005.

In light of Ross’s role as a prison warden in “Captain America: Civil War,” it makes sense that he is now incarcerated on The Raft. Since the Marvel Cinematic Universe lacks consistent villains, not many notable prisoners reside there. Apart from Ross and Sterns, the only other confirmed inmate is Helmut Zemo, who appeared in both “Captain America: Civil War” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Characters like Trish Walker from “Jessica Jones” and Willis Stryker from “Luke Cage” were suggested to be imprisoned there during their Netflix series. However, the continuity between these series and the broader MCU remains unclear, despite “Daredevil: Born Again” seemingly hinting at a connection.

In the movie’s end-credits sequence, The Leader is confined in his cell and informs Captain America about a larger danger approaching on the horizon. This scene seems reminiscent of the episode “Breakout (Part 1 of 2)” from the 2010 animated series, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, where the antagonist, the Mad Thinker, alerts Hank Pym about a similar grave threat to the superheroes. Notably, in that series, The Leader was detained in a different high-security facility called “the Cube.

1
‘Thunderbolts*’ Connections

The sequel to “Captain America: Brave New World” is titled “Thunderbolts”. Both movies are linked, as they stem from the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”. Toward the end of “Thunderbolts”, Sam Wilson receives a visit from his series co-star James “Bucky” Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, portrayed by Sebastian Stan who was recently nominated for an Academy Award. Bucky informs him that he needs to attend a campaign rally, and it’s revealed that Bucky is running for congress. This political storyline was previously confirmed by Sebastian Stan at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, and it will play out in “Thunderbolts”.

In the grand scheme of things, one intriguing detail that could surface is that the Leader, whom I follow, might have hidden an accomplice during the events of “Captain America: Brave New World.” This shadowy figure hasn’t been unveiled yet, but hints about them have been dropped in several Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. In this particular film, it seems the Americans engineered the Serpent Society to snatch the adamantium sample from the Japanese government under the guise of theft. The Leader is culpable, but the intel appears to originate from the CIA. There’s a strong possibility that the Leader had another ally among the future cast of the “Thunderbolts” movie—Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

In the series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Valentina was first introduced and later made appearances in “Black Widow” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Her character’s true identity as the new head of the CIA is unveiled in these films. Notably, during this movie series focusing on escalating global conflicts, the head of the CIA does not seem to be actively involved in the events unfolding. It is suggested that Valentina may have played a role in The Leader’s escape, thereby removing President Ross from the scene and potentially increasing her own power. This could pave the way for the upcoming movie “Thunderbolts.” We will have answers to this mystery within just three months.

Read More

2025-02-16 02:07