Samuel Sterns

"This is what I was trying to explain... I don't know what you've been ladling into yourself... Let's assume you don't understand a word I'm saying... but if you'll just get back on the table... I can... fix this."

- Samuel Sterns

Professor Samuel Sterns is a cellular biologist who may be able to find a cure for Bruce Banner.

The Incredible Hulk
Sterns was initially a scientific ally to an on-the-run Bruce Banner and they communicated with each other as Mr. Green and Mr. Blue while collaborating to find a cure for Bruce's condition. Upon meeting in the flesh, Dr. Samuel Sterns was shown to be an eccentric man who was infatuated with the potential power of gamma-radiation. After witnessing Banner transform into the Hulk as a test and successfully reverting him back with their finalized supressant, it was revealed that he had been experimenting with Bruce's blood samples on animal test subjects without Bruce's knowledge. He was physically threatened by Emil Blonsky who desired to be further mutated. Sterns eagerly complied. Once Blonsky mutated, he became insane and proceeded to injure Sterns and demolish his lab. Sterns was accidentally infected with Banner's blood via an open wound on his forehead and he was last seen with his head expanding as he smiled in joy.

Relationships

 * Bruce Banner - Ally
 * Emil Blonsky - Enemy

Behind the scenes

 * In the comics, Sterns becomes The Leader, Banner's archnemesis. This transformation is foreshadowed in the film, when he begins mutating after being exposed to Banner's blood.

Character Traits
According to actor Tim Blake Nelson, "Sterns is brilliant, but he is also ethically challenged."

He goes on to explain that Sterns wants to continue to make discoveries, and doesn't worry too much about good or bad.

Trivia

 * In the original comic, Sterns was not a scientist, but instead was a menial laborer with only average intelligence. He was exposed to gamma radiation while he was transporting hazardous materials. Also, he became the Leader before Banner became the Hulk.
 * During the course of the film, a drop of Bruce Banner's blood falls into a scar on Sterns' forehead.
 * Sterns uses the online name Mr. Blue to communicate with Banner. In the comic, Mr. Blue was an alias used by Betty Ross to keep in contact with a fugitive Banner.