Every superhero saga needs a formidable antagonist, and in "Captain America: Brave New World," fans were introduced to The Leader, portrayed by actor Tim Blake Nelson. The character's appearance was crafted using practical effects and makeup, resulting in a visibly mutated look that, while different from the comic books, still captured the essence of the villain.

Blue Whale Studios, the Atlanta-based special effects company responsible for The Leader's design and effects in the MCU film, recently shared insights into their original vision for Sam Sterns' alter ego—a design that stayed truer to the comic book roots. Initially, the team aimed for a very sickly appearance, featuring an engorged head and pale green skin, as revealed on their Instagram. This design, though straightforward, lacked the intricate mutation details seen in the final film version. They also posted a video showcasing the application of prosthetics on Nelson, offering fans a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.

"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."

The original design closely mirrors The Leader's first appearance in the Marvel comic universe, which debuted in "Tales to Astonish #62" in 1964. Interestingly, the final design in "Brave New World" aligns more with the character's more recent portrayal in the 2018 series "Immortal Hulk."

The Leader was first teased as a potential MCU villain back in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk," where Sam Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner's Gamma radiation-infused blood. Though he remained a normal human at that time, the exposure eventually transformed him into the menacing figure seen at the start of "Brave New World."

Last May, reports surfaced that "Captain America: Brave New World" was undergoing reshoots to integrate a new villainous character portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in "Breaking Bad," "Star Wars," and "The Boys." Esposito plays Sidewinder, the leader of 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 due to extensive script rewrites and subsequent reshoots.