Captain America: Brave New World is finally in theaters, sending Sam Wilson on a harrowing journey ahead of his debut as the new leader of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The thirty-fifth film in the MCU follows the new Captain America as he unravels a sinister plot that leads him directly to Dr. Samuel Sterns, a.k.a. the Leader, who has spent the last decade plotting revenge against the new President of the United States, General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. The Leader’s return marks the character’s first appearance since his introduction in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, finally closing a long-standing plot hole that has bothered fans for years.
Unfortunately, the Leader’s return was disappointing to many MCU fans, especially after waiting so long for Tim Blake Nelson’s villain to resurface. While Brave New World is performing better than expected with fans given the film’s mixed critical reception, most viewers seem to agree that it could have handled the Leader’s return better. While his plan has elements pointing to his incredible intellect and strategy, the Leader’s storyline in Captain America 4 ultimately feels undercooked. However, this doesn’t have to be the end for the green-headed supervillain. The MCU has laid the groundwork to make the Leader the franchise’s best villain yet–if only it picks up a dropped storyline from an infamous Disney+ series.
The MCU Needs to Introduce the Real Intelligencia
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Holds the Key to Improving the Leader

The Leader’s redemption could come from the MCU’s most infamous Disney+ show. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was widely criticized for several factors, becoming one of the worst-reviewed Marvel projects in recent history. However, one of its more interesting aspects was the introduction of the Intelligencia, a conspiracy of angry men who plotted together to defame and destroy She-Hulk. While it was largely wasted during the events of the Disney+ series, there is still a chance for the organization to return to the MCU in a more comics-accurate form. In Marvel Comics, the Intelligencia is a team of supervillain geniuses put together by the Leader. The council was envisioned as an easy means for the world’s most intelligent supervillains to exchange information and devise strategies with which to combat the Avengers and other heroes. The Intelligencia became the universe’s most sinister think tank, working together to accomplish their evil plans efficiently and covertly.
Captain America: Brave New World Cast & Character Guide
Character
Actor
Sam Wilson/Captain America
Anthony Mackie
President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross/Red Hulk
Harrison Ford
Joaquin Torres/Falcon
Danny Ramirez
Ruth Bat-Seraph
Shira Haas
Isaiah Bradley
Carl Lumbly
Seth Voelker/Sidewinder
Giancarlo Esposito
Dr. Samuel Sterns/The Leader
Tim Blake Nelson
Betty Ross
Liv Tyler
How the Intelligencia Would Change the MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe Needs a Supervillain Team

Upcoming MCU Films
Film
Release Date
Thunderbolts*
May 2, 2025
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
July 25, 2025
Avengers: Doomsday
May 1, 2026
Spider-Man 4
July 24, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars
May 7, 2027
Armor Wars
TBA
Blade
TBA
Black Panther 3
TBA
read more
The Intelligencia could continue to pose a threat well beyond the Multiverse Saga, acting as a terrific foil to the Avengers for many years to come. So far, the Avengers have mostly faced singular villains like Ultron and Thanos. While these Big Bads often have an army at their behest, the Avengers have never faced a true team of enemies, each member with their own skills and aptitudes. The Leader’s Intelligencia would be a dark counterpart to the Avengers, perhaps giving Earth’s Mightiest Heroes the most difficult fight they’ve ever had. The introduction of this team would also frame the Leader as one of the most influential villains in the MCU, having put together the one group capable of destroying the Avengers.
Which MCU Villains Would Make Up the Leader’s Intelligencia?
The Leader’s New Team Is an Excellent Opportunity to Bring Back Old MCU Villains


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Several villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe would make perfect members of the Intelligencia. The Leader would be the natural choice to gather and command the group, just as he does in the comics, selecting the brightest, most dangerous, and most sinister villains from around the world. His first choice to join the Intelligencia might be Baron Helmut Zemo, who managed to rip the Avengers apart from the inside during the events of Captain America: Civil War. The Leader’s storyline in Brave New World strongly resembles Zemo’s in Civil War, as both villains used their strategic brains to outthink enemies far stronger than they. Interestingly, Zemo is also imprisoned in the Raft following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. As such, the two villains may come in contact with one another during their shared prison time.
Upcoming MCU Series
Title
Release Date
Daredevil: Born Again
March 4, 2025
Ironheart
June 24, 2025
Eyes of Wakanda
August 6, 2025
Marvel Zombies
October 2025
Wonder Man
December 2025
Vision Quest
2026
The possibilities are endless when it comes to introducing the Intelligencia to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Captain America: Brave New World may have disappointed some fans with its handling of the Leader, but there is still a chance to turn Tim Blake Nelson’s character into one of the most important villains in the franchise.