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The Shocking Twist in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ That Could Change the MCU Forever

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In “Captain America: Brave New World,” Anthony Mackie steps into the role as the new Captain America, replacing Chris Evans. His mission is to expose a sinister plot aimed at controlling soldiers and tarnishing the reputation of the newly elected President of the United States, Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford (replacing William Hurt). This film can be categorized as a political thriller.

In the fourth Captain America film, there are numerous interconnected storylines that might require some Marvel Cinematic Universe knowledge to fully appreciate. For instance, a group known as Serpent, led by someone new called Sidewinder (played by Giancarlo Esposito), seems to be a significant adversary for Captain America. Moreover, a character from The Incredible Hulk named Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) harbors resentment against Ross that spans over two decades. Furthermore, the massive Celestial from The Eternals is rich in a valuable mineral. Lastly, it’s worth noting that Bucky (Sebastian Stan) is now running for political office.

This information is quite extensive and might require careful analysis, particularly these hints about “Brave New World” which could significantly impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s trajectory in the future. The film seems to be laying groundwork for a fresh start, focusing primarily on two upcoming Avengers movies that may reestablish the MCU at its peak.

For the past few years, Marvel Studios has faced a challenging period due to an oversaturated superhero market, declining movie quality, and a series of average TV shows that even die-hard fans found hard to keep up with. However, the hit movies like Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024 offered a glimmer of hope, with their success partially attributed to gently mocking Marvel’s shortcomings. Although critics have been unimpressed with Brave New World, it could play a crucial part in helping Marvel re-evaluate its filmmaking approach.

As a die-hard movie fan, I’ve got a feeling that by the end of “Brave New World,” ol’ Cap is gearing up to assemble a brand new super-team. These parallel universes are brewing some serious trouble and it looks like our boy Steve Rogers is the one to take them on. This could very well be setting the stage for a Marvel Cinematic Universe where the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and a few of my beloved Avengers share the same screen, battling side by side. It seems that this shift is meant to breathe new life into the MCU narrative, which, let’s face it, hasn’t been quite hitting the mark with audiences lately. So buckle up, folks, as we embark on a fresh chapter in the Marvel saga!

The discovery of Adamantium could usher in the X-Men

If you thought the connections to the seldom-remembered “The Incredible Hulk” were peculiar enough, “Brave New World” links itself to another less-loved Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film: “The Eternals”. For those who didn’t catch Chloe Zhao’s visually stunning but tonally mismatched superhero movie, it’s important to know that the Celestials were an ancient race of powerful beings, possessing immense energy. The final scene of that film showed a petrified Celestial rising from the depths of the Indian Ocean.

It seems he stayed put until the occurrences depicted in “Brave New World”. In the movie, President Ross discloses that the Celestial is laden with Adamantium, a substance he claims is more robust than Vibranium. The secluded nation of Wakanda, the birthplace of Black Panther, holds exclusive control over all global reserves of Vibranium and uses it for powering their city, medical advancements, and weaponry construction (it’s also integrated into Captain America’s shield and wings, Bucky’s prosthetic arm, and Black Panther’s suit). President Ross suggests a fair distribution of Adamantium among the world nations.

Sharp-eyed superhero enthusiasts might also recall the unbreakable substance called Adamantium from the X-Men films, which was used to construct Wolverine’s skeleton and claws. The inclusion of Adamantium in the Marvel Cinematic Universe suggests a universe where another character similar to Wolverine could emerge, undergo experiments, and ultimately become him.

Instead, Marvel might swiftly introduce Wolverine from another universe to Captain America’s world, regardless of who plays him. For quite some time now, Marvel has hinted at a multiverse collision that may eventually bring the X-Men into this reality. By the way…

Samuel Sterns teases a war between parallel universe versions of the Avengers

In the closing scene of Brave New World, Captain America pays a visit to Samuel Sterns, who’s behind bars. This character has a unique talent for predicting probabilities, and he hints to Captain America that it’s quite possible there are other Earths out there. He poses the question, “Don’t you think there might be others like you? Aren’t there more worlds than just this one?

For quite some time, Marvel has been creating films centered around parallel realities, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Deadpool & Wolverine. Consequently, it’s not surprising to spectators that a supervillain with an immense intellect could foresee something we ourselves have witnessed.

However, it’s Sterns’ second prophecy that sets the stage for future events. Essentially, we might witness confrontations as they defend their unique versions from one another. Picture this: think about alternate universes housing various Avengers, like the malevolent Doctor Strange in “Multiverse of Madness” or Tobey Maguire’s Spiderman meeting Tom Holland’s version in “No Way Home”. According to Sterns, these distinct Avenger versions will likely engage in battles against each other.

Indeed, it’s confirmed! In 2027, Marvel is set to release a film titled “Avengers: Secret Wars“, inspired by the comic of the same name where multiple universes collided. The surviving world, Battleworld, saw all heroes confronting each other, so yes, Captain America might find himself battling against one or more Captain Americas, Iron Men, Hulks, and Buckys.

Bucky is running for Congress…but also a member of the Thunderbolts?

Regarding Bucky Barnes: One key aspect that the new Thunderbolts film must address is the reason behind his inclusion in this specific superhero squad. In simpler terms, we’ll need to understand why Bucky joined the Thunderbolts team.

Regarding Bucky, let’s focus on the possibility that despite his past as The Winter Soldier, a character influenced by brainwashing and responsible for numerous deaths, there might have been a change in his actions. He could be trying to start anew.

However, previews for the upcoming movie “The Thunderbolts,” set to release in May, depict him engaged in action-packed scenes with Florence Pugh’s character Yelena, Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, and other team members. This group appears to be a less glamorous version of the Avengers, assembled by Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. He is seen firing missiles at vehicles, delivering punches to adversaries, and riding motorcycles. Such daring actions might seem unwise for someone during a political campaign!

Well, it seems that the President of the United States transformed into the Red Hulk at a press conference. Perhaps we’re witnessing the dawn of a new era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with super-powered politicians.

Marvel is trying to bring in big stars to revive interest in the MCU

The idea of casting iconic actor Harrison Ford in Brave New World could indicate that Marvel is keen to attract big names to boost their faltering series. With Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Holland, and Zendaya taking a break or leaving the MCU, along with Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death before filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel has found it challenging to draw crowds to cinemas for secondary characters stepping up as leads. This is evident in box office results: only a few recent films (such as Wakanda Forever, Deadpool & Wolverine) have been successful, while some have underperformed, like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Although Anthony Mackie has portrayed Captain America’s partner, Sam Wilson, in seven Marvel films and two Marvel series, some critics argue that his character hasn’t been fully fleshed out due to limited opportunities for development amidst the numerous Avengers characters requiring attention in ensemble movies. Despite being noble and patriotic, Sam’s personality remains relatively unexplored.

As a fan, I’d say it’s not just Ant-Man who’s been underutilized; Paul Rudd’s portrayal of the character was a refreshing change in the MCU, offering a lighter contrast to other superheroes. However, his movies seemed more engaging when they didn’t delve too deeply into the heavy stuff like quantum realms and parallel universes. Instead, they were funnier and less focused on world-building.

Similarly, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, with his intelligent yet somewhat arrogant demeanor, is a slightly less endearing version of Iron Man. Unfortunately, his leadership potential as the Avengers’ leader hasn’t fully convinced audiences yet.

Letitia Wright, an excellent actress, was perhaps too inexperienced to fill the massive shoes left by Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther. The same can be said about Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson; he’s a reliable sidekick, but his performance as the main character falls short compared to the magnetic appeal Boseman brought to the role of Black Panther.

These actors aren’t necessarily subpar; they excel in high-profile movies and series. However, they often don’t get offered the most compelling roles. For instance, Marvel initially exhausted its most intriguing characters during the early stages of filmmaking. The success of Spider-Man comics over Doctor Strange ones can be attributed to the fact that Peter Parker is a relatable character caught in an extraordinary situation, whereas Doctor Strange is an extraordinarily powerful being placed in unusual circumstances.

Even though Marvel Studios now controls the rights to The Fantastic Four and X-Men, two of the most beloved comic book characters, these characters have already appeared in numerous films. Thus, reinventing them for the screen presents a greater challenge than introducing Iron Man for the first time.

Marvel is putting its faith in some high-profile actors. One of them is Ford, who might manage to surpass the negative feedback for “Brave New World”. Pedro Pascal, currently shining in two of the most popular TV series, “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian”, will lead the upcoming Fantastic Four film. Additionally, the teaser trailers for “Thunderbolts” seem to highlight its marquee stars outside the MCU – Sebastian Stan, fresh off an Oscar nomination, and Florence Pugh, known for her work in prestigious dramas.

Historically, it appears that offering significant remuneration to established actors to re-embody cherished roles tends to yield the best results. For instance, Hugh Jackman took on the part of Wolverine again – following the character’s demise in a previous film – alongside Ryan Reynolds in the 2020 movie “Deadpool & Wolverine“. Intriguingly, they even persuaded Chris Evans to make a cameo in that production. Moreover, it is rumored that Tom Holland will be featured in an upcoming fourth Spider-Man film, despite his initial reluctance to resume the role.

Marvel’s major move involves casting Robert Downey Jr., known for his portrayal of Iron Man, in the role of Doctor Doom, a classic villain from the Fantastic Four series. Instead of focusing on the heroes, the upcoming two Avengers films will center around this antagonist. Moreover, Downey Jr.’s unique charm and allure makes it challenging to find an equivalent replacement.

Eventually, Downey will need to step down from his roles. Fingers crossed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has identified an appropriate successor to anchor their films before that time comes.

What’s next for the MCU?

In the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, the team is named Thunderbolts, consisting of an assortment of unconventional superheroes from previous MCU movies. The title’s asterisk has been heavily highlighted in promotions, reflecting the intriguing circumstances surrounding the group’s namesake, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. Having suffered humiliation and imprisonment at the conclusion of Captain America: Civil War, adopting his name for a new supergroup may not be the best idea. By the end of the movie, it’s likely that they will adopt a different moniker, possibly the Dark Avengers.

In July, Marvel’s iconic team of superheroes, the Fantastic Four, officially enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the film “The Fantastic 4: First Steps”. This nostalgic movie is set in the 1960s and features Pascal as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing.

The film titled “Avengers: Doomsday” marking Robert Downey Jr.’s first appearance as Doctor Doom is set for release on May 1, 2026, followed by “Spider-Man 4” in the same year. Subsequently, “Avengers: Secret Wars” is scheduled for May 7, 2027. This movie will feature superheroes from parallel universes fighting against each other, with only the top actors coming out on top.

Even though Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige mentioned reducing the number of Marvel shows on Disney+ following an influx that left fans overwhelmed, they’re still set to release a total of five series this year. The much-anticipated sequel to the Netflix Marvel series, Daredevil: Born Again, will debut in March, featuring lawyer-turned-superhero Matt Murdoch (Charlie Cox) and his longtime adversary Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Next up are two spinoffs from the Black Panther franchise. Iron Heart, centered on Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), is scheduled for June, followed by Eyes of Wakanda in August.

Starting this fall, Disney+ will broadcast the animated Marvel Zombies series and the live-action Wonder Man, featuring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II from Watchmen. Interestingly, the screenplay for Wonder Man was penned by Andrew Guest, who made a name for himself writing comedies such as Community and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Additionally, plans are underway for a Vision series set to release in 2026.

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2025-02-14 12:09

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