Honestly, the cast of the new captain america movie feels like a fever dream that somehow made it through a boardroom meeting. We’re finally seeing Anthony Mackie step into the lead for Captain America: Brave New World, and while everyone knew that was coming after the Disney+ series, the rest of the roster is what’s actually wild. It is a strange, messy, and deeply nostalgic collection of actors that bridges the gap between the very first days of the MCU and the present.
Who Is Leading the Cast of the New Captain America Movie?
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Anthony Mackie is Sam Wilson. He isn’t "the new guy" anymore; he’s the guy. It's been a long road since The Winter Soldier in 2014. If you watched The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, you saw him struggle with the weight of the shield, but this movie is where he finally has to prove he can carry a solo film without Steve Rogers looming over his shoulder.
But he’s not alone. Danny Ramirez is back as Joaquin Torres. Basically, he's taking over the Falcon mantle. It’s a classic "passing of the torch" situation, though Torres feels a bit more grounded and tech-heavy than Sam was in his early days.
Then we have the heavy hitters.
The Harrison Ford Factor
This is the big one. Harrison Ford is stepping in as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, taking over the role from the late William Hurt. It is genuinely weird to see Han Solo/Indiana Jones in a Marvel movie, but he’s playing the President of the United States now.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
And yeah, he turns into the Red Hulk.
There was this whole thing online about him losing the iconic Ross mustache. Apparently, the in-movie excuse is that he had to shave it to win the election. Real-world reason? Probably because animating a giant red monster with a bushy mustache looks kinda ridiculous in live-action. Ford has been pretty blunt in interviews, saying he did it for the money and the fun of it, which is exactly the kind of energy you want from a legend like him.
The Incredible Hulk Reunion Nobody Expected
What’s really fascinating about the cast of the new captain america movie is how much it pulls from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. It feels like Marvel is finally acknowledging that movie exists.
- Tim Blake Nelson returns as Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader. We haven't seen this guy in seventeen years. He’s been "brewing" since a drop of Bruce Banner's blood hit his forehead back in the Bush administration. He’s the primary antagonist here, using his super-intelligence to pull strings from the shadows.
- Liv Tyler is back as Betty Ross. Again, seventeen years. It’s a massive gap. She doesn't have a huge role—mostly a phone call and a quick appearance at the end—but her presence connects the emotional dots for her father, Thaddeus.
- Carl Lumbly reprises his role as Isaiah Bradley. He was the heart of the TV show, and seeing him return for the big screen adds that "Pre-Steve Rogers" history that the franchise needs to stay grounded.
New Faces and Major Villains
Beyond the legacy actors, we’ve got some fresh blood that’s stirring up a lot of conversation. Giancarlo Esposito joined the crew late during reshoots. He’s playing Seth Voelker, better known as Sidewinder, the leader of the Serpent Society.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
Originally, there were rumors he’d be playing someone like King Cobra, but the production shifted gears. He’s described as a "grounded mercenary" type. He’s there to provide a physical threat that isn't just a giant CGI monster. Watching Gus Fring from Breaking Bad go toe-to-toe with Captain America is something I didn't know I needed until now.
The Sabra Controversy
Then there’s Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, also known as Sabra. This has been a bit of a lightning rod for the film. In the comics, she’s an Israeli mutant working for the Mossad.
Marvel pivoted pretty hard for the movie. In this version, she’s a former Black Widow agent who now works for the U.S. government. They’ve basically stripped away the Mossad ties and the mutant background to try and avoid the political landmines associated with the character, though the controversy hasn't exactly disappeared. She’s portrayed as a very "hard-charging" and intense operative who isn't necessarily a friend to Sam.
Why This Specific Cast Actually Matters
If you look at the cast of the new captain america movie as a whole, it’s not just a random group of actors. It’s a deliberate attempt to make the MCU feel like a cohesive world again. For a while there, the movies felt very "standalone" and disconnected. By bringing back Tim Blake Nelson and Liv Tyler, Marvel is rewarding people who have been watching since day one.
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
It also sets up a much more political, "boots on the ground" tone. You don't cast Harrison Ford as the President and Giancarlo Esposito as a mercenary if you're making a lighthearted space romp. This is clearly trying to capture that Winter Soldier vibe—government conspiracies, internal betrayals, and the question of who actually owns the shield.
What to Watch Before the Movie
If you want to understand the dynamics between the cast of the new captain america movie, you should probably revisit a few specific titles. Don't worry, you don't need to rewatch all thirty-plus movies.
- The Incredible Hulk (2008): Essential for understanding The Leader, Betty Ross, and the origins of Thunderbolt Ross.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier: This is where Sam Wilson starts. It also sets the tone for the entire "Captain America" sub-franchise.
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+): You basically have to watch this to see how Sam gets the shield and why Joaquin Torres is even in the picture.
- Black Widow (2021): Helps explain the "Red Room" history that Shira Haas’s character now shares.
Final Thoughts on the Lineup
The cast of the new captain america movie is a gamble. It's a mix of old-school Marvel, legendary Hollywood icons, and new-generation heroes. Whether or not Anthony Mackie can hold the center of this whirlwind is the big question. But with a supporting cast that includes Harrison Ford turning into a red rage-monster and Giancarlo Esposito acting as a tactical villain, there's a lot to be excited about.
If you're planning to see the film, keep an eye on how the "Hulk" side of the story interacts with the "Captain America" side. It's a weird crossover, but it might be exactly what the MCU needs to feel dangerous again.
Next Steps: Make sure to check out the latest trailers to see the first glimpses of Tim Blake Nelson's transformation as The Leader, as his "nuanced" take on the villain is expected to be a major highlight of the film's second half.