Captain America’s New Allies and Enemies: Meet the New Characters in ‘Brave New World’

The shield is back in action, and this time, Sam Wilson is carrying it solo. Captain America: Brave New World is more than just another MCU installment—it’s a noticeable shift in how Marvel tells its superhero stories. Following The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam is now fully established as the new Captain America, but with great power comes… well, an avalanche of new threats and unexpected allies.

Blending political intrigue with high-octane action, Brave New World draws comparisons to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, signaling a return to espionage-laced storytelling within the MCU. But every great Captain America story needs compelling characters—those who stand beside him and those who seek to tear him down.

Let’s dive into the newcomers from the latest Marvel flick!

New Allies: Who’s Fighting Alongside Captain America?

1. Ruth Bat-Seraph / Sabra (Shira Haas)

Meet Ruth Bat-Seraph, aka Sabra, a character with deep Marvel Comics roots but a fresh MCU reinvention. While the original Sabra was a mutant super-agent for Israel’s Mossad, Brave New World places her in a more global context: she’s a high-ranking security advisor to President Thaddeus Ross.

So, what makes her interesting? Sabra brings a different kind of experience to the Captain America franchise—less super-soldier, more espionage operative. Her background in the Black Widow program (yes, another Widow!) suggests she’s not just a bureaucrat but a skilled fighter who can go toe-to-toe with Sam if needed.

Where She Fits in the Story…

Sabra is a wildcard. With her deep loyalty to President Ross, her character will likely challenge Sam’s more idealistic view of heroism, adding tension to the political drama brewing in the film. Is she a true ally, or will her allegiance shift?

As far as future MCU potential, Sabra could open doors for more espionage-driven storylines. Whether it’s a Thunderbolts connection or a possible Black Widow spinoff, she’s a character with layers worth exploring.

One of MCU’s Most Significant Character Edits…

Sabra’s introduction into Captain America: Brave New World has been one of the most significant character reworkings in recent MCU history, with Marvel Studios carefully adjusting her origins to fit within the franchise’s evolving geopolitical landscape. In the comics, Ruth Bat-Seraph is an Israeli Mossad agent and a mutant with enhanced strength and speed. However, for the MCU, those ties have been severed. Instead, she is depicted as a first-generation Israeli working as a security advisor for U.S. President Thaddeus Ross.

Producer Nate Moore explained this decision was about integrating Sabra into the MCU’s broader political themes rather than erasing her identity, noting, “She’s Israeli, but she’s not Mossad. Now she works in the U.S. government.” This shift positions her as a more nuanced and politically neutral figure while still acknowledging her cultural roots.

Another key change to Sabra’s backstory is her new connection to the Black Widow program. Rather than being a superpowered nationalist hero, the MCU version of Sabra is a former Widow who was freed from mind control, much like Yelena Belova and the other Red Room operatives introduced in Black Widow. While these changes aim to make Sabra’s character more universally accessible, they also highlight the broader challenges Marvel faces when adapting politically sensitive characters for a modern audience.

2. Leila Taylor (Xosha Roquemore)

A name comic fans will recognize, Leila Taylor is making her MCU debut in Brave New World. In the comics, she was a journalist and one of Sam Wilson’s love interests. The film takes a different approach, positioning her as the head of President Ross’s Secret Service detail.

Leila is interesting because she is in an unprecedented position—a Black woman leading the security team for the most powerful political figure in the country. That alone gives her character weight, but throw in the fact that she has to navigate the tension between Sam Wilson and Ross? That’s a recipe for some fantastic drama.

Where She Fits in the Story…

As someone who spends considerable time around President Ross, Leila is a critical bridge between him and Sam. While she may not be superpowered, her influence on how these two strong-willed men communicate could have lasting consequences.

As far as future MCU potential, Leila could become a recurring presence in the political side of the MCU, especially if the government continues to play a major role in superhero affairs (Thunderbolts, Armor Wars, or even Avengers down the line).

3. Joaquín Torres / Falcon (Danny Ramirez)

Sam Wilson may be Captain America now, but that doesn’t mean the Falcon mantle has been left behind. Joaquín Torres, introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is stepping up to take flight as the new Falcon.

So, what makes him an interesting character? Unlike Sam, Joaquín doesn’t just have a high-tech wingsuit—he’s been genetically enhanced in the comics. Whether the MCU will give him similar upgrades remains to be seen, but his youth and determination make him an exciting new addition.

Where He Fits in the Story…

Torres is the eager protege, learning from Sam while forging his own identity. Their relationship is expected to evolve from mentor-mentee to a true partnership, offering a dynamic duo approach similar to Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes.

As far as future potential, could we possibly see Torres in the Young Avengers? There are strong narrative and thematic hints that he could join the team in future projects.  In Marvel Comics, Joaquín Torres is primarily associated with the Champions (a team of young heroes like Ms. Marvel and Miles Morales) rather than the Young Avengers.

The MCU establishes Torres as Sam Wilson’s protégé, mirroring Steve Rogers and Sam’s relationship. Director Julius Onah describes their bond as a “big brother/little brother dynamic”, which positions Torres as a legacy hero, a common trait among Young Avengers candidates (e.g., Kate Bishop, Cassie Lang).

New Villains: The Threats in Brave New World

1. Seth Voelker / Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito)

The Serpent Society has arrived. Led by Seth Voelker—better known as Sidewinder—this group of elite mercenaries is set to stir up global chaos. And with Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito bringing Sidewinder to life, we know we’re in for something special.

S0, what makes him dangerous? Unlike his comic counterpart, who had teleportation abilities, MCU Sidewinder is shaping up to be more of a tactical mastermind than a superpowered villain. He’s ruthless, calculated, and not above manipulating governments for his own benefit.

Where He Fits in the Story…

Sidewinder is the guy pulling the strings behind some of the geopolitical conflicts Captain America has to unravel. His reach extends far beyond one country—he’s thinking globally, making him a formidable foe.

Will we see more of him in the future? He’s too good of a villain to be a one-and-done character. If Marvel plays their cards right, Sidewinder could become a recurring antagonist in future espionage-driven stories.

2. Samuel Sterns / The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson)

A deep cut from The Incredible Hulk (2008), Samuel Sterns is back and more dangerous than ever. The last time we saw him, his brain was swelling with gamma radiation. Now? He’s full-fledged The Leader.

He’s not just a genius—he’s the genius, surpassing Bruce Banner in intellect. And unlike other villains, he’s patient. He’s been waiting for the right moment to strike, and it looks like Brave New World is that moment.

Where He Fits in the Story…

The Leader is likely behind some of the bigger moves in the film’s plot—whether it’s weaponizing Adamantium (yes, that Adamantium) or playing puppet master behind the scenes.

Could World War Hulk be on the horizon? The Leader has enough villainous credibility to stick around and cause problems for years to come.

3. Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross / Red Hulk (Harrison Ford)

William Hurt’s passing meant Marvel had to recast Thaddeus Ross, and who better than Harrison Ford? But Ross isn’t just a political player anymore—his comic book alter ego, Red Hulk, looms in the background.

Ross is no longer just a thorn in superheroes’ sides—he’s the President of the United States now. That means he has both political power and, potentially, gamma-powered rage. If Red Hulk emerges, Sam is in for the fight of his life.

The Bigger Picture: How These Characters Shape the MCU’s Future

Captain America: Brave New World signals a shift in the MCU’s storytelling, grounding its conflicts in global politics rather than cosmic battles. With President Thaddeus Ross at the helm, the film explores the consequences of superhero governance, echoing real-world power struggles and setting the stage for a more espionage-driven era of the MCU. Ross’s push to rebuild the Avengers could be a precursor to the formation of the Thunderbolts, hinting at a government-controlled superhero initiative with its own hidden agendas.

Meanwhile, the arrival of villains like The Leader and Sidewinder suggests long-term repercussions beyond this film. The Leader’s intelligence and influence could easily extend into future projects like World War Hulk, while Sidewinder’s Serpent Society could emerge as a formidable force in upcoming Marvel conflicts, possibly even weaving into the overarching narrative of Secret Wars.

As the MCU embraces a more politically charged landscape, Brave New World lays the foundation for a new kind of superhero saga—one where alliances are fragile, enemies lurk in the shadows, and power plays shape the world as much as superpowers.