Movies

Marvel’s new ‘Captain America’ is a risky superhero handoff. Is it the reset Disney needs?

BBG News

In the opening fight sequence of “Captain America: Brave New World,” an adversary remarks that the Captain America he had envisioned defeating was larger in stature than the present title holder, Sam Wilson, portrayed by Anthony Mackie.

In the storyline of this movie, the impactful symbol of patriotism casts a significant shadow – it’s a key point of debate for Marvel Studios regarding their franchise. The challenge is: how can we bring back a cherished character while presenting him anew, with a fresh yet recognizable persona?

The million-dollar query arises now, given that Marvel Studios from Walt Disney Company aims to regain the public’s fascination and ticket sales similar to those garnered by the movies preceding the 2019 hit “Avengers: Endgame.

The answer is: very carefully.

Mackie’s character, Wilson (Falcon), has been a part of the franchise for several years, making his debut as a fellow hero alongside Captain America in the film “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” back in 2014. With Chris Evans’ retirement as Captain America following the events of “Endgame,” he handed over his iconic shield to Mackie, who then took on the mantle of the new Captain America in the 2021 Disney+ series titled “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

The consequences of executing the handover successfully are significant. Nate Moore, a producer for the movie and a seasoned Marvel executive, refers to the character as a “foundational pillar” in the Marvel universe.

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In a previous instance, Nate Moore advocated for the debut of Black Panther within “Captain America: Civil War.” Now, his new project, titled “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” aims to bring resolution following a sorrowful event.

He emphasized that they aim to ensure the film resonates strongly since Captain America holds such great importance. It’s crucial for viewers to perceive that despite all the transformations, Captain America remains relevant, deserving, and vigilant in his role as a protector.

Captain America, a main character from Marvel Comics, was initially introduced in 1940 as Steve Rogers, a man transformed into a super-powered individual through an experimental serum. Chris Evans assumed this role for the first time in “Captain America: The First Avenger” released in 2011, later starring in two more Captain America movies and balancing the dynamic with Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man character.

However, as Evans’ portrayal came to a close, Marvel leaders decided they wanted to preserve the essence of what Captain America symbolized, according to Moore.

As a passionate filmgoer, I’ve always admired how the narrative revolves around individuals striving to embody the idealistic vision of America. Although we aimed to conclude Steve Rogers’ story in ‘Endgame’, we didn’t want to leave a void of that powerful sentiment within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Emphasizing that both sentiment and personality are equally important for the transformation of the Marvel universe, which has faced difficulties in the past few years to deliver successful movies at the box office consistently. While “Deadpool & Wolverine” from last year grossed over a billion dollars, movies like “The Marvels” (2023) and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” received mediocre ratings and underperformed in cinemas.

The upcoming movie “Captain America: Brave New World” is expected to generate between $80 million and $95 million during its first three days in U.S. and Canadian theaters, with a production budget estimated at around $180 million (excluding marketing expenses). Critics’ reviews for this film have been somewhat divided.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’d estimate that figure would be roughly on par with the initial domestic box office earnings for solo Marvel movies like “Eternals” (2021 – $71 million), “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” ($75 million), and even surpassing the opening weekend haul of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ($95 million).

According to Daniel Loria, senior vice president at Boxoffice Co., a company that deals with theater data, the performance of the new franchise is following what was anticipated when it was restarted. Since Marvel is currently in a phase of rebuilding, the financial potential for the fresh movie needs to be more realistic for the studio, he explained.

Loria mentioned that Marvel is revamping some of their major franchises with a fresh perspective.

The movie, with a title evoking echoes of Aldous Huxley’s dystopian narrative and Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” embodies the spirit of renewal according to its director, Julius Onah.

In the realm of Marvel, I’m part of a team that’s starting anew. The phrase ‘brave new world’ has always resonated with me due to its underlying irony. So, we’re embracing that irony, diving headfirst into the uncharted waters and the enigma that uncertainty brings.

Consequently, due to the interwoven plots across Marvel films and their approach of using each movie as a foundation, this film needs to stand strong on its own merit. Simultaneously, it should spark viewer excitement for the upcoming “Thunderbolts,” scheduled for release in May.

Maintaining a streak of successful Marvel movies is crucial for Disney’s broader goals and CEO Bob Iger’s plans to revitalize the company. Marvel holds the record as the most profitable movie franchise ever, and its fame not only boosts box office earnings but also influences theme park attendance, merchandise sales, and streaming subscriptions.

Translating this into simpler, more conversational language: Lilly Goren, who’s a professor and co-editor of “The Politics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe”, suggested that by continuing to use Captain America but casting a new actor, the franchise could have a fresh start.

In a similar fashion, just like the Spider-Man movie franchises featuring three different actors portraying the title character, as well as the multiple Batman adaptations within the DC Comics film universe, there’s less emphasis on preserving continuity and more on restarting the storylines in these instances.

Goren stated that it provides a platform for the ongoing representation of this well-known cultural figure, offering ample space to reshape the stories associated with him. Essentially, he described it as a new arrangement of the superhero concept.

The idea of reinventing Captain America is what drew Onah to the project. In contrast to Chris Evans’ Captain America, who was largely superhuman, Mackie’s character lacks any abilities enhanced by the serum.

He commented, “It’s an excellent method for developing this character.” What initially attracted me to narrating this story was a Captain America whose extraordinary ability lies in his empathy and humanity. Not only is this quality something I believe is particularly relatable, it’s also inspiring.

Additionally, Mackie, a Black individual, takes on the mantle of Captain America, carrying with him a unique symbolism.

The themes of this were initially examined in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” set following Mackie’s character receiving Captain America’s shield. The series investigates, as Moore, the producer explains, “the reality of what it entails, to be frank, for a Black man to inherit a symbol that can be challenging, but also incredibly empowering.” Moore further stated, “The character’s journey in this show was about deciding if the inspiration that comes with it is worth the struggle.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the importance of having a Black Captain America today. It signifies that “America belongs to all,” as he rightly puts it. It matters tremendously for the viewers to find themselves mirrored in the character, and this reflection transcends just skin tone, encompassing also the character’s moral compass and unwavering integrity.

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2025-02-14 14:32

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