"Leader's Design in Captain America: Brave New World Unveiled, Echoes Comic Book Original"

In the world of superhero cinema, every hero needs a formidable villain, and for *Captain America: Brave New World*, that role is filled by The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. The character's appearance, enhanced through practical effects and makeup, showcases a mutated look, though it deviates from his comic book counterpart. Blue Whale Studios, responsible for The Leader's design and effects in the MCU film, recently shared insights into their original concept for Sam Sterns’ alter ego, which was much closer to the comic source material.

The Atlanta-based special effects company initially envisioned a very sickly aesthetic for the character, characterized by an engorged head and pale green skin. This design was revealed on their Instagram, alongside a video showcasing the application of prosthetics on Nelson, offering fans a fascinating glimpse into the character's creation process. However, this initial design lacked the intricate mutation details seen in the final film version.

"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."

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 emphasized the technical success of the makeup, noting its lightweight and comfortable nature, which was a testament to the dedication of their team.

The original design closely mirrored The Leader's first appearance in the Marvel comic universe in 1964's *Tales to Astonish #62*. Interestingly, the final design in *Brave New World* aligns more with the character's more recent iterations, such as those seen in 2018's *Immortal Hulk*.

The Leader's journey to villainy was first hinted at in 2008's *The Incredible Hulk*, where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's Gamma radiation-infused blood. While he remained a normal human then, this exposure set the stage for his transformation into The Leader seen in *Brave New World*.

Last May, reports surfaced that *Captain America: Brave New World* was undergoing reshoots to introduce a new villainous character, Sidewinder, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in *Breaking Bad*, *Star Wars*, and *The Boys*. Esposito's character leads 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 following extensive rewrites and subsequent reshoots of the script.