In the cinematic universe of superheroes, every hero needs a formidable adversary. For Captain America: Brave New World, fans were introduced to the iconic villain, The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. The character's transformation, achieved through practical effects and makeup, resulted in a visually striking, mutated appearance. However, the final design deviated somewhat from the character's comic book origins.

Blue Whale Studios, responsible for crafting The Leader's look for the MCU film, recently shared insights into their initial concept for Sam Sterns’ alter ego, which closely mirrored the comic book version. The Atlanta-based special effects team opted for a distinctly sickly aesthetic, featuring an engorged head and pale green skin. While this design was more straightforward and lacked the intricate mutation details seen in the movie, it was still a compelling take on the character. The studio also provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse through an Instagram post, showcasing the application of prosthetics on Nelson.

"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."

This initial design closely resembled The Leader’s debut in the Marvel comic universe, first seen in 1964’s Tales to Astonish #62. Interestingly, the final design in Brave New World draws parallels to more recent depictions from 2018's Immortal Hulk.

The Leader's journey to becoming a villain in the MCU began with a subtle hint in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's Gamma-radiated blood. Initially a normal human, this exposure set the stage for his transformation into The Leader by the time of Brave New World.

Last May, it was reported that Captain America: Brave New World underwent reshoots to integrate a new villainous character played by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Star Wars, and The Boys. Esposito portrays 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 his role was removed following extensive script rewrites and reshoots, marking a significant change in the film's narrative direction.