Captain America: Brave New World ending explained - What happens with the Red Hulk?

At this point, many of us are watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe purely for continuity's sake. There have been more misses than hits lately, marking a rough phase for the franchise. However, the optimists among us believe that Marvel is set to change course with its next major release—Thunderbolts—which features some of the MCU’s most unconventional yet beloved anti-heroes. But before that, this week brings Captain America: Brave New World, starring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford. This film carries the responsibility of teasing what’s next for the MCU. But does it succeed? Let’s break it down.

Captain America: Brave New World Ending Explained

The world is now navigating life post-Blip and the Celestial emergence in the Indian Ocean. America has elected Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) as its new President, and he wants to work with Captain America, a.k.a. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who is joined by his enthusiastic sidekick, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), now the new Falcon. When an attack on the President frames Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) as the culprit, Captain America must uncover the truth and save his friend.

The final act of Captain America: Brave New World unfolds on the Celestial Island (which remains unnamed). Sam Wilson prevents a war from erupting between Japan and the U.S., orchestrated by Samuel Sterns, who has planted brainwashed soldiers to escalate tensions. However, Sam successfully defuses the situation, preventing the conflict. Just when he believes the crisis has been averted, he remains unaware that Sterns has one final trick up his sleeve—hidden inside Thaddeus Ross, who is about to address the media.

For context, Samuel Sterns is a character from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. It is revealed that Ross had secretly held him in captivity since then, using his expertise to sustain his own life. Now fully transformed into a gamma-radiated super-genius, Sterns stops short of adopting his comic-book moniker, The Leader. During his imprisonment, he provided Ross with medication to keep his heart functioning. However, Ross was unaware that these so-called treatments contained gamma radiation, gradually altering his physiology.

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When Sterns realizes that Ross has no intention of releasing him, he escalates the dosage, forcing Ross into an uncontrollable transformation. During a White House press briefing, Ross, now fully transformed into the Red Hulk, loses control. A segment of the White House is destroyed as Captain America—after apprehending Sterns—rushes in to stop Ross.

A fierce battle ensues across Washington, D.C. The Red Hulk proves to be an overwhelming force, leaving Sam Wilson struggling to keep up. Just when it seems that Sam is on the verge of defeat, he delivers an impassioned plea, urging Ross to fight against his rage. In a climactic moment, Ross regains control and reverts to his human form before being taken into custody.

In the aftermath, Ross is imprisoned at The Raft—the very facility where he once detained Captain America’s team in Civil War. He resigns from the presidency, allowing the nation to transition into the "Brave New World" that was promised. A global treaty is established for the fair and responsible use of Adamantium. Isaiah Bradley is exonerated, Joaquin Torres recovers and fully embraces his role as Falcon, and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) makes a brief return to reconnect with her now-repentant father.

By the film’s end, several key storylines set the stage for the MCU’s future: the looming battle over Adamantium, the potential return of Red Hulk, Joaquin Torres’ role in the Young Avengers, and Sam Wilson’s growing confidence as Captain America, despite lacking super-serum. The movie also teases the presence of a former Red Room assassin, played by Ruth Bat-Seraph as Shira Hass, hinting at a larger narrative in play.

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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