Tim Blake Nelson recently discussed returning to the MCU as Samuel Sterns, A.K.A. the Leader, for the first time in 16 years in 2024’s Captain America: New World Order.

Nelson’s last Marvel appearance was all the way back in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, in which his take on Samuel Sterns was seen assisting Bruce Banner in subduing his powers. Sterns was then forced into helping create Abomination and was last seen beginning his own transformation into the Leader.

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Since then, Marvel has not revisited the Leader, but that’s all about to change. When Anthony Mackie’s Captain America takes to the big screen in New World Order, he will be going up against Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader.

Tim Blake Nelson Is Honored To Be Back In The MCU

During Marvel’s D23 presentation, Tim Blake Nelson spoke about the legacy of Marvel Studios and expressed his excitement to be returning to the MCU in Captain America: New World Order.

Given how long it has been since Nelson last appeared in a Marvel project, many fans doubted he would ever make another appearance as the Leader – a villain with superhuman intelligence and psychic abilities. It appears both Nelson and Marvel fans are celebrating his return.

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Tim Blake Nelson said of reprising the role of the Leader in New World Order:

“I’m delighted. Marvel is part of cinema history and that I get to be a part of that is an absolute honor and thank you for sticking with the Leader.”

Tim Blake Nelson will be appearing opposite Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, who has taken on the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers. New World Order also sees the return of Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley and Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres.

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Anthony Mackie last appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Here is the synopsis:

Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities—and their patience—in Marvel Studios’ “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.”

Directed by Kari Skogland from scripts written by showrunner Malcolm Spellman and Derek Kolstad, the series stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, Daniel Brühl as Baron Helmut Zemo, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent. Desmond Chiam, Miki Ishikawa, Noah Mills, and Carl Lumbly also appear.

Stay tuned for all the latest news on the upcoming Captain America: New World Order film, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.