Captain America: Brave New World Kicks Off Avengers 2.0

It's been nearly six years since the Avengers disbanded after defeating Thanos and mourning the loss of Tony Stark. The world, however, is once again in dire need of its mightiest heroes. With new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up to reunite the team. The journey to reassemble the Avengers kicks off with "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 in the development of 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 iconic Avengers teams in Marvel comics have always had Captain America at their helm. Following Steve Rogers' decision to pass the shield to Sam Wilson in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU has taken time to develop Wilson into the leader he needs to become. This transformation hasn't been easy for Wilson, as explored in the six-part Disney+ series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." By the time "Brave New World" rolls around, Wilson confidently dons the red, white, and blue. Yet, his new challenge is even more formidable: leading a new Avengers team.

As revealed in a pre-release marketing clip, "Brave New World" opens with President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford succeeding the late William Hurt, urging Wilson to revive the Avengers project. This might surprise long-term fans, given that Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross was behind the Sokovia Accords, which famously split the Avengers. So, why the change of heart?

"He was a guy who had this real legacy that could maybe be defined by his anger," explains Julius Onah, director of "Brave New World." "But the man that we're meeting now is an elder statesman, a diplomat, turning a new leaf, understanding his past mistakes, and wanting to make amends. He sees the Avengers as a potential benefit to the world."

Given Ross's military background, he understands the strategic advantage of having superheroes under his command. However, he doesn't aim to simply recreate the original Avengers. With Captain America now an official role within the U.S. government, as established in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," Wilson works closely with President Ross, suggesting that a Captain America-led Avengers team would be a branch of the U.S. defense department.

"Ross is the man who passed the Sokovia Accords," Moore points out. "He realized that the Avengers left unchecked may not be the best idea for anyone. Power under his command is more beneficial, and he wants to initiate the Avengers before anyone else does."

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

President Ross's renewed interest in the Avengers likely stems from the discovery of a world-changing substance. The Celestial that turned to stone at the end of "Eternals" has been revealed at San Diego Comic Con 2024 to be a source of Adamantium, Marvel's renowned super metal and a valuable alternative to Wakanda's Vibranium. With Adamantium now accessible, an arms race could ensue, making a superhero team a vital asset.

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

How Sam Wilson/Falcon Became Captain America in the Comics

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The underlying motive for this new Avengers team suggests a rocky relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold those 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 answer may lie in the upcoming MCU project "Thunderbolts" in 2025, featuring a team of anti-heroes including John Walker, who briefly assumed the Captain America mantle in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," only to tarnish Steve Rogers' legacy. Perhaps Walker and his morally ambiguous team will become the President's Avengers, given Ross's nickname, Thunderbolt.

If this scenario unfolds, Wilson could establish his own independent team of superheroes, ready for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026. Regardless of the specifics, "Brave New World" marks the next step in Wilson's journey since taking up the shield, setting him on the path to lead the Avengers.

"Historically, the Avengers have been led by a Captain America, and Sam Wilson is very much 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. As any MCU fan knows, Wilson is just a man with a shield and mechanical wings. While he's skilled in combat, it's his ability to understand the perspectives of allies and enemies alike that allows him to effectively wield the shield, embodying the values it represents.

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

"I don't think Sam would be prepared to lead the Avengers until he truly believed that he was Captain America," adds Moore. "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, both he and the audience will realize there could be no one else. He is Captain America, and he'll take the tools from this movie to lead the Avengers."

Wilson has no time to waste. After "Brave New World," only two movies stand between us and "Avengers: Doomsday." It's likely Captain America will appear in both "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" as he recruits his team ahead of the 2026 blockbuster. Though the road to the new Avengers is shorter than the five films leading to 2012's "The Avengers," heroes like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner might already be waiting for the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins now.