Tim Blake Nelson Was “Heartbroken” That His Marvel Career Seen Over– Then Kevin Feige Came Calling

Despite starring in one of the foundational films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there was a time when Tim Blake Nelson thought that Marvel Studios did not want him back.

When Nelson portrayed Samuel Sterns in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, he seemed poised to become one of the next big Marvel villains. The film ended with Sterns being infected with Bruce Banner’s blood, hinting that the biologist would eventually transform into The Leader.

Source: Marvel/ Universal

In the subsequent 16 years, Nelson saw the MCU explode, eventually dominating popular culture in a way that was previously unthinkable. Despite Marvel’s penchant for world-building, however, Samuel Sterns and the rest of The Incredible Hulk characters were seemingly thrown by the wayside.

Nelson Though His Marvel Story Had Ended

For his part, Nelson had come to terms with the idea that he would never come back to the MCU. Then, Kevin Feige came calling.

Sixteen years after first playing Samuel Sterms in The Incredible Hulk, Nelson is set to reprise his role as Samuel Sterns in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World.

Photo: Marvel

“Being brought back into the MCU by [Marvel producers] Kevin [Feige] and Nate [Moore] and Kyana [F. Davidson] to be a villain alongside Giancarlo [Esposito] against Anthony Mackey has been a great honor,” Nelson told The Hollywood Reporter.

Photo: The Hollywood Reporter

“It’s been a really interesting adventure. I was heartbroken when it seemed I wasn’t going to come back as The Leader. But now I’m glad it took 16 years because it’s made the character more interesting.”

The Break Was Good For Nelson’s Career

Looking back on his Marvel hiatus, Nelson can now see that the break was good for his career.

“And I’ve gotten to do a lot of other great stuff during those 16 years that maybe wouldn’t have come my way if I had played the lead villain character in a Hulk sequel two years after Edward Norton’s Hulk,” he explained.

Photo: IMDB

“I loved working with Edward and got to direct Edward in a movie right after that [2009’s Leaves of Grass]. So not to take a panglossian attitude toward all this. I still do think it all happened in the best possible way.  Even though there was a lot of despair associated with the intervening years.”

The Leader Looms Large

While it remains to be seen how Nelson’s Marvel story plays out, The Leader could play a prominent role in the MCU going forward. As one of the definitive Hulk villains, hopefully, we will see Bruce Banner and Stern face out on the big screen.

Source: Marvel

Captain America: Brave New World will hit theaters on February 14.

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