"Captain America: Brave New World Kicks Off Avengers 2.0 Era"

It has been nearly six years since the Avengers disbanded after the defeat of Thanos and the tragic loss of Tony Stark. However, the world's need for its mightiest heroes has resurfaced, setting the stage for new Avengers movies in 2026 and 2027. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up to reassemble its iconic team, with the first steps being taken in "Captain America: Brave New World."

"We know people miss the Avengers and we miss the Avengers," says Nate Moore, a veteran producer at Marvel Studios and a key figure behind the fourth Captain America film. "But we knew if we jumped right back into the Avengers after Endgame, we wouldn't give people a chance to miss it."

Moore emphasizes that the most successful Avengers teams in Marvel comics have always had Captain America at their core. Following Steve Rogers' decision to pass his shield to Sam Wilson in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU has dedicated time to developing Wilson into the leader he needs to become. This journey has been challenging for Wilson, as he initially struggled to embrace his new role as Captain America. This struggle was explored in the six-part Disney+ series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." By the time of "Brave New World," Wilson confidently dons the iconic red, white, and blue, ready to face his next challenge: leading a new Avengers team.

As revealed in a pre-release marketing clip, the opening of "Brave New World" features President Ross (now played by Harrison Ford, succeeding the late William Hurt) asking Wilson to revive the Avengers project. This request might surprise long-term fans, given that Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross was behind the Sokovia Accords, which led to the Avengers' division. However, as explained by the film's director, Julius Onah, Ross has evolved into an elder statesman and diplomat who recognizes his past mistakes and sees the potential benefits of a reformed Avengers team.

"He was a guy who had this real legacy that could maybe be defined by his anger," Onah notes. "But the man that we're meeting now is a man who is an elder statesman, who's a diplomat, who's turning a new leaf, who sees and understands the errors of his past and wants to do better. [He wants to initiate] the Avengers because they could be a benefit to the world."

Given Ross's military background, he understands the tactical advantage of having a superhero team. However, he plans to recreate the Avengers under government control, aligning with the new status of Captain America as an official U.S. government role. This shift means that a Captain America-led Avengers team would essentially be a branch of the U.S. defense department.

"Ross is the man who passed the Sokovia Accords," says Moore. "He certainly realized that the Avengers left unchecked may not be the best idea for anyone. And so I certainly think he understands that power is more beneficial to him if it's under his command, and he figures why not do it first before somebody beats me to the punch."

Sam Wilson must now step up to Captain America's ultimate responsibility: leading the Avengers. | Image credit: Disney / Marvel Studios

Ross's interest in reassembling the Avengers might be spurred by the discovery of Adamantium, a super metal introduced at San Diego Comic Con 2024. This metal, sourced from the Celestial turned to stone in "Eternals," could trigger an arms race, making a superhero team strategically vital.

"I think certainly any nation that has a group of Avengers has a leg up over anyone else," says Moore. "And Ross is a general, so certainly he understands what a tactical advantage is!"

How Sam Wilson/Falcon Became Captain America in the Comics

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The underlying motive behind this new Avengers team suggests that the relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America may be fraught with tension. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold his predecessor's values throughout his superhero career.

"I really focused on the emotional journey that Sam was taking," says Onah. "It was really cool to then put him opposite somebody who had divided the Avengers in the past. Because of that history, Sam was put into prison. The Sokovia Accords, all the stuff that Ross pushed forward as Secretary of State [came into play]. These are things that when these two men walk into a room, that tension between them is palpable."

There's a possibility that Sam Wilson might not be the leader President Ross envisions. The upcoming 2025 MCU project, "Thunderbolts," could introduce an alternative team led by John Walker, the disgraced former Captain America from "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." This team, known as the Thunderbolts, might align more closely with Ross's vision.

If Wilson is not chosen to lead the government's Avengers, he could form his own independent team, setting the stage for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026. Regardless of the specifics, "Brave New World" marks a crucial step in Wilson's journey to becoming the leader of the Avengers.

"Historically the Avengers have been led by a Captain America, and Sam Wilson is very much so a worthy one," Onah states. "But part of telling this story is also reinforcing, illustrating, and dramatizing for an audience: why [is he worthy]?"

Wilson's worthiness stems from his empathy, which Onah describes as his superpower. Despite being just a man with a shield and mechanical wings, Wilson's ability to understand the perspectives of both allies and enemies enables him to effectively wield the shield and embody the values it represents.

"I think that's what makes him a Captain America of this moment," Onah says.

"I don't think Sam would be prepared to lead the Avengers until he truly believed that he was Captain America," Moore adds. "And our goal as filmmakers was to take him on a journey of questioning whether or not he made the right decision. Hopefully by the end, [we’ll have] him and the audience go 'There certainly could be no one else'. He is Captain America, and hopefully he takes the tools from this movie to be able to lead the Avengers."

With only two movies left before "Avengers: Doomsday," Wilson must act swiftly. Following "Brave New World," he is likely to appear in "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" to recruit his team. While this timeline is shorter than the buildup to 2012's "The Avengers," characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be ready to join the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.