One of the most divisive moments of Captain America: Brave New World was replicated almost shot-for-shot in 2024 and already proved why Sam Wilson never needed the super soldier serum that helped to define his MCU predecessor. Captain America: Brave New World has earned mixed reviews from critics but has caused a gulf between them and fans, with the latter being more favorable towards Sam Wilson’s first solo movie. This is despite an air of trepidation in the lead-up to its release threatening to tank the movie, though Captain America: Brave New World boasts a strong opening weekend.

The doubts about Captain America: Brave New World largely focused on the lead, with some fans unable or unwilling to reconcile with the lack of Steve Rogers and the notable differences between him and Sam Wilson. Marketing for the movie also made no secret of Sam’s immensely outmatched final fight with Red Hulk, a tease that sparked confusion about how Marvel would believably pit a serum-devoid Wilson against a Hulk. The answer to that question came in Marvel Studios’ final show of 2024, two months before the release of Captain America: Brave New World.

What If…? Season 3 Foreshadowed How Sam Wilson Would “Defeat” Red Hulk

Sam “Defeats” Mega-Hulk In The Same Way As Red Hulk

What If…? season 3 opened with What If…the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?” which stars Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson as the new Captain America and leader of a new slate of Avengers equipped with Gundam-style mech suits. It follows the Avengers as they struggle against an army of gamma monsters inadvertently created by Bruce Banner, leading to the deaths of most of Earth’s superheroes. While Sam and the new Avengers are ultimately able to repel the monsters and their leader, the Apex, their return causes Sam to beseech a self-exiled Bruce Banner for help

Flying in at the eleventh hour, Banner is able to subdue the Apex and assume leadership of the gamma monster army by turning himself into “Mega-Hulk,” the largest and most powerful iteration of the Jade Giant. After gaining the upper hand, Mega-Hulk turns his sights on New York, ostensibly gearing up for wanton destruction before Sam turns to his last resort: to talk to Mega-Hulk. The final shots depict Sam standing eye-to-eye with the gargantuan beast, appealing to his and Banner’s friendship to dissuade Mega-Hulk from continuing, ultimately being successful in his last-ditch endeavor.

This scene mirrors the climax of Captain America: Brave New World. As Red Hulk endures the full force of Sam’s vibranium wings, proving that Sam stands no chance in a physical tussle with the creature, Sam decides to appeal to Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’ humanity. He then stands face-to-face with Red Hulk and talks him down after acknowledging that Red Hulk could kill him with a single punch. Both What If…? and Captain America: Brave New World have therefore established what makes Sam uniquely capable of standing up to two of the MCU’s most powerful characters.

Sam Wilson’s Superpower Is His Empathy

Sam’s Empathy Is Why He Was Chosen To Wield The Shield

Sam Wilson proves himself to be exceptionally capable in a fight throughout Captain America: Brave New World, with his skills bolstered by his Wakandan-made suit and wings. Nevertheless, he acknowledges a pervasive concern by repeatedly lamenting his decision to forego taking super soldier serum. He even does this in his fight against Red Hulk, moments before deploying a skill he has honed through several years of being a counselor to soldiers suffering from PTSD – his empathy. Sam causes the Red Hulk to revert by appealing to his humanity and love for his daughter, Betty.

It reveals the view that Captain America is inextricably linked to his enhanced physiology to be a misconception, instead demonstrating that Sam was chosen for his mentality.

This moment illustrates why Steve Rogers chose Sam Wilson to be his successor as Captain America. It reveals the view that Captain America is inextricably linked to his enhanced physiology to be a misconception, instead demonstrating that Sam was chosen for his mentality. In the face of insurmountable odds, Sam refuses to back down and successfully defuses the situation rather than exchanging blows until the bitter end. Short of Hulk bursting onto the scene at the last minute, this was, in truth, the only way to defeat Red Hulk.

Super Soldier Serum Would Not Have Made A Difference In Captain America’s Red Hulk Fight

The Incredible Hulk Made Quick Work Of Another Super Soldier

Sam may have expressed regret about not taking the super soldier serum, but he is wrong in thinking it would have helped in his fight. 2008’s The Incredible Hulk is evidence of this, as Hulk makes exceptionally quick work of Emile Blonsky after the latter takes another super soldier serum and cockily believes himself to be capable of standing up to the Hulk. While he might have survived the ordeal, this suggests that Sam Wilson would still have been defeated by Red Hulk, who would still be far stronger than an enhanced Sam Wilson.

Emile Blonsky was last seen being freed from prison in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

It’s worth noting also that Steve Rogers received the only sample of the perfected super soldier serum. It’s hard to imagine, for example, John Walker faring any better against Red Hulk than Emile Blonsky against Hulk. While Steve Rogers never faced Hulk in their time together, it is safe to assume that he wouldn’t have attempted to beat the Jade Giant in a straight fight, and would likely have used similar tactics to Sam Wilson in Captain America: Brave New World to quell his rage, thereby rendering the super soldier serum unnecessary.