Every superhero narrative boasts a formidable antagonist, and for Captain America: Brave New World, fans were introduced to The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. Nelson's transformation into the character was achieved through practical effects and makeup, resulting in a visibly mutated appearance that deviated somewhat from the comic book version.

Blue Whale Studios, the Atlanta-based special effects company responsible for The Leader's design and effects in the MCU film, has now shared insights into their initial concept for Sam Sterns' alter ego, which closely aligned with the comic book visuals.

The studio's original design embraced a sickly aesthetic for the character, featuring an engorged head and pale green skin. This straightforward design, showcased on their Instagram, lacked the intricate mutation details seen in the final film version. Additionally, Blue Whale Studios posted a video of the prosthetics application process on Nelson, offering fans a fascinating glimpse into the character's creation.

"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 mirrors The Leader's debut in the Marvel comic universe, specifically in 1964's Tales to Astonish #62. However, the final design in Brave New World draws inspiration from more recent comic appearances, notably from 2018's Immortal Hulk.

The Leader's potential as an MCU villain was first hinted at in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's Gamma radiation-infused blood. Initially a normal human, this exposure set the stage for his transformation by the time of Brave New World.

Last May, reports surfaced that Captain America: Brave New World was undergoing reshoots to introduce a new villainous character, Sidewinder, played 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.