"Leader's Design in Captain America: Brave New World Inspired by Comics"

In the world of superhero cinema, every hero needs a formidable antagonist, and for *Captain America: Brave New World*, fans were introduced to The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. The character, known for his mutated appearance, was brought to life through practical effects and makeup, though the final design deviated somewhat from the comic book source material.

Blue Whale Studios, the special effects company behind The Leader's design for the MCU film, recently shared insights into their original concept for Sam Sterns’ alter ego, which closely mirrored the comic book visuals. Based in Atlanta, the studio initially envisioned a very sickly appearance for the character, characterized by an engorged head and pale green skin. This design was showcased on their Instagram, offering a glimpse into the process of applying prosthetics to Nelson. Although the design was straightforward and lacked the intricate mutation details seen in the final film, it provided an intriguing look at what could have been.

"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 stated. "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. Drawing inspiration from the original comic book art, we developed a look that felt both grounded and iconic — true to the source while achieving a refined, natural realism. Technically, we were thrilled with how lightweight and comfortable the final makeup was for the actor — an achievement made possible by the dedication of an extraordinary team."

The original design by Blue Whale Studios strikingly resembles The Leader’s first appearance in the Marvel comics, specifically in 1964’s *Tales to Astonish #62*. However, the final design in *Brave New World* aligns more closely with the character’s more recent depiction in 2018's *Immortal Hulk*.

The Leader’s journey to villainy in the MCU was first hinted at in 2008’s *The Incredible Hulk*, where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner’s Gamma-radiated blood. Initially appearing as a normal human, this exposure eventually transformed him into the mutated villain seen at the start of *Brave New World*.

Last year in May, it was reported that *Captain America: Brave New World* underwent reshoots to introduce a new villainous character portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in *Breaking Bad*, *Star Wars*, and *The Boys*. Esposito plays Sidewinder, the leader of the Serpent Society, adding another layer of intrigue to the film.

Ahead of the film's release, five-time WWE world champion Seth Rollins confirmed that his role was cut following extensive rewrites and reshoots of the script, indicating significant changes in the film's narrative direction.