It has been nearly six years since the Avengers disbanded after defeating Thanos and mourning the loss of Tony Stark. The world, however, is in dire need of its mightiest heroes once again. With new Avengers movies slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up to reassemble its iconic team, and the journey begins 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 successful Avengers teams in Marvel comics have always had Captain America at their core. Following Steve Rogers' decision to pass the shield to Sam Wilson in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU has been focused on transforming Wilson into the leader the team needs. This transition wasn't easy for Wilson, as explored in the six-part Disney+ series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," which delved into his struggles to embrace the role of Captain America. By the time "Brave New World" unfolds, Wilson proudly wears the red, white, and blue. Yet, as he overcomes his personal challenges, he faces a new, more formidable task: leading a new Avengers team.
In a pre-release marketing clip for "Brave New World," we see President Ross, now portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt, urging Wilson to revive the Avengers project. This move might perplex long-time fans, considering Ross's role in establishing the Sokovia Accords, which led to the team's division. However, Julius Onah, the director of "Brave New World," sheds light on Ross's new perspective.
"He was a guy who had this real legacy that could maybe be defined by his anger," Onah explains. "But the man that we're meeting now is an elder statesman, a diplomat, turning a new leaf, understanding the errors of his past and wanting to do better. He wants to initiate the Avengers because they could be a benefit to the world."
As a general, Ross understands the tactical advantage of having the Avengers at his disposal. Yet, he doesn't intend to recreate the team exactly as before. With Captain America now officially a part of the U.S. government, Wilson works closely with President Ross, suggesting 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," Moore adds. "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's journey to lead the Avengers is not just about stepping into Captain America's shoes but also navigating the complexities of working with President Ross. The discovery of Adamantium, a super metal derived from the Celestial turned to stone at the end of "Eternals," adds urgency to Ross's interest in reassembling the Avengers. With nations potentially racing to harness this powerful resource, having a superhero team becomes a strategic necessity.
"I think certainly any nation that has a group of Avengers has a leg up over anyone else," Moore notes. "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 tensions between President Ross and Sam Wilson hint at a challenging partnership. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has always strived to uphold his predecessor's values. Onah focused on Wilson's emotional journey, highlighting the palpable tension between him and Ross due to past conflicts over the Sokovia Accords.
"I really focused on the emotional journey that Sam was taking," Onah states. "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 for the new Avengers. The upcoming MCU project, "Thunderbolts," set for release in 2025, introduces a team of anti-heroes led by John Walker, who previously took up the mantle of Captain America and tarnished Steve Rogers' legacy. Could Walker and his morally ambiguous team become the President's Avengers?
If so, Wilson might be free to form his own independent superhero team, just in time for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026. Regardless of the specifics, "Brave New World" is a crucial step in Wilson's journey to lead the Avengers.
Onah emphasizes Wilson's worthiness to lead the Avengers, attributing it to his empathy, which he describes as Wilson's superpower. Despite being just a man with a shield and wings, Wilson's ability to understand both allies and enemies enables him to effectively embody the values the shield 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, 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 separating "Brave New World" from "Avengers: Doomsday," Wilson's time is limited. It's likely he'll appear in "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" to recruit his team before the 2026 event. While this is a shorter path compared to the buildup to 2012's "The Avengers," characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be ready to answer the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.
