Every MCU Villain Locked in The Raft After Captain America: Brave New World
The MCU’s maximum-security prison, The Raft, made its long-awaited return in Captain America: Brave New World, raising questions about who’s locked up inside.
Originally introduced in Captain America: Civil War as a containment facility for superpowered individuals who violated the Sokovia Accords, The Raft has since been used to hold some of the most dangerous criminals in the Marvel Universe.
Following the events of Brave New World, here’s an updated list of every major villain currently imprisoned in The Raft.
1. The Leader (Samuel Sterns)
🦠 Crime: Experimenting with gamma radiation & mind control
🚔 Arrested In: Captain America: Brave New World
Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, made his grand return in Brave New World after last appearing in The Incredible Hulk (2008).
Now sporting a transformed, gamma-enhanced brain, Sterns was the mastermind behind the mind-controlled soldiers and played a major role in turning Thaddeus Ross into the Red Hulk.
While he was ultimately defeated, the movie’s post-credits scene teases that he still has plans in motion, likely setting up the next Avengers film.
2. Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Red Hulk)
💊 Crime: Illegal gamma radiation experiments, attacking the White House
🚔 Arrested In: Captain America: Brave New World
Harrison Ford’s President Thaddeus Ross was exposed for taking high doses of gamma radiation-laced pills, which ultimately forced him to transform into the Red Hulk.
After destroying the White House in a rage and battling Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Ross voluntarily accepted his imprisonment in The Raft.
However, given his upcoming role in Thunderbolts, there’s a high chance he won’t stay locked up for long.
3. Willis “Diamondback” Stryker (Luke Cage)
🔫 Crime: Attempting to frame Luke Cage, arms trafficking, public endangerment
🚔 Arrested In: Luke Cage (Netflix)
A major villain from Netflix’s Luke Cage, Willis “Diamondback” Stryker was an arms dealer and the half-brother of Luke Cage.
After trying to kill Cage and frame him for multiple murders, Stryker was arrested and experimented on, eventually landing in The Raft.
With MCU arvel Studios reintroducing Netflix characters into the MCU, his presence in The Raft could hint at a future connection to Daredevil, Luke Cage, or the Thunderbolts.
4. Trish Walker (Hellcat) – Jessica Jones
🐱 Crime: Vigilante killings, multiple homicides
🚔 Arrested In: Jessica Jones (Netflix)
Introduced as Jessica Jones’ best friend in the Netflix series, Trish Walker became obsessed with having powers, eventually transforming into Hellcat through an experimental procedure.
However, her crime-fighting turned into murderous vigilantism, forcing Jessica to track her down and imprison her in The Raft.
Her presence suggests that Marvel may be setting up a future storyline for Jessica Jones and other Netflix characters in the MCU.
5. Baron Zemo
♟ Crime: Masterminding the Avengers’ downfall, aiding the deaths of Wakandan royals
🚔 Arrested In: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
First introduced in Captain America: Civil War, Baron Helmut Zemo successfully manipulated the Avengers into fighting each other, leading to their downfall.
Though he briefly teamed up with Sam and Bucky in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, he was ultimately re-imprisoned in The Raft by the Dora Milaje.
His return is highly likely, given the upcoming Thunderbolts movie, where he may play a significant role.
What’s Next for The Raft in MCU?
With The Raft making a major comeback, it raises questions about who else could be locked up inside. Other potential prisoners include:
Emil Blonsky (Abomination) – Last seen in She-Hulk
Justin Hammer – A long-time Iron Man 2 villain rumoured to return
Sokovia Accords Violators – Any unregistered superpowered individuals
Could these villains break out and form a new threat, or will they be recruited into a secret government project (Thunderbolts)?
With Thunderbolts set to release in 2025, fans may not have to wait long to find out.
