Captain America: Brave New World Is the Start of Avengers 2.0

It has been nearly six years since the Avengers disbanded after defeating Thanos and mourning the loss of Tony Stark. The world has been eagerly awaiting their return, and with new Avengers movies slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is poised to bring back its mightiest heroes. The journey to reassemble the team starts 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 core. After Steve Rogers passed the shield to Sam Wilson in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU needed time to develop Wilson into the leader the team required. This transition was not easy for Wilson, as explored in the six-part Disney+ series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." By the time "Brave New World" unfolds, Wilson proudly wears the red, white, and blue, ready to face his next challenge: leading a new Avengers team.

A pre-release marketing clip for "Brave New World" reveals that President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt, asks Wilson to restart the Avengers project. This request might surprise long-term fans, given Ross's history with the Sokovia Accords, which caused a rift among the Avengers. However, Julius Onah, the director of "Brave New World," explains that Ross has evolved into an elder statesman, recognizing his past mistakes and aiming to do better by initiating the Avengers for the world's benefit.

As a general, Ross understands the tactical advantage of having the Avengers, but he envisions a team that aligns with the U.S. government, given Captain America's new official role. "Ross is the man who passed the Sokovia Accords," Moore notes. "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."

Sam Wilson's new challenge is to lead the Avengers, especially as the MCU introduces a game-changing substance: Adamantium. Discovered in the remains of the Celestial from "Eternals," Adamantium is a valuable alternative to Wakanda's Vibranium. With nations racing to harness this metal, having a team of superheroes becomes crucial.

"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 dynamic between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America is likely to be fraught with tension, given their opposing views on government control. Steve Rogers was staunchly against it, and Wilson has strived to uphold his predecessor's values. "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."

With the upcoming "Thunderbolts" film featuring anti-heroes like John Walker, there's a possibility that Ross might favor a different team. This could allow Wilson to form his own independent Avengers team, just in time for Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026.

Wilson's worthiness to lead the Avengers 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 both allies and enemies makes him an effective leader. "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," 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 quickly assemble his team. Appearances in "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" could serve as recruitment opportunities. The road to the next Avengers film may be shorter than before, but familiar faces like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner might be ready to join the cause. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins with "Captain America: Brave New World."