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

Six years after the Avengers disbanded following Thanos' defeat and Tony Stark's sacrifice, the world once again needs its mightiest heroes. With new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the MCU is swiftly reassembling the team, starting with Captain America: Brave New World.

"We understand the audience's longing for the Avengers," says Nate Moore, a veteran Marvel Studios producer and key figure behind the fourth Captain America film. "But rushing back into an Avengers storyline post-Endgame wouldn't allow for the necessary anticipation."

Moore emphasizes the historical centrality of Captain America to the most successful Avengers teams in Marvel comics. Following Steve Rogers' passing of the shield to Sam Wilson in Avengers: Endgame, the MCU dedicated time to developing Wilson into a capable leader. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showcased his struggles with this transition. By Brave New World, Wilson proudly embodies the Captain America mantle, yet faces a new challenge: leading a new Avengers team.

As a pre-release clip reveals, President Ross (Harrison Ford, succeeding the late William Hurt) initiates the Avengers project. This might surprise long-time fans, considering Ross's role in establishing the Sokovia Accords, which triggered a superhero civil war.

"He was defined by anger," admits Brave New World's director, Julius Onah. "But the President Ross we meet is an elder statesman, a diplomat, acknowledging past mistakes and striving for improvement. He proposes the Avengers as a global asset."

Ross, a general, understands tactical advantages. His vision for the Avengers differs from their previous iteration. Captain America is now an official US government role, with Wilson directly reporting to the President. This makes a Captain America-led Avengers team essentially a branch of the US defense department.

"Ross, the architect of the Sokovia Accords, recognized the unchecked power of the Avengers," Moore explains. "He believes controlled power is advantageous, aiming to secure it before others do."

Ross's interest isn't solely about future film needs. The discovery of a world-altering substance plays a significant role. The petrified Celestial from Eternals is revealed to be a source of Adamantium, a superior alternative to Vibranium. This discovery potentially ignites a global Adamantium arms race, making a superhero team invaluable.

"Any nation possessing Avengers gains a significant advantage," Moore states. "Ross, as a general, understands this tactical benefit."

Sam Wilson/Falcon's Path to Captain America in the Comics

11 ImagesThis new Avengers team's underlying motives suggest a potentially strained relationship between President Ross and Captain America. This partnership is inherently complex. Rogers' anti-government stance and Wilson's dedication to his predecessor's values create inherent tension.

"I focused on Sam's emotional journey," says Onah. "Contrasting him with Ross, who previously divided the Avengers, creates palpable tension. Their shared history, including Sam's imprisonment due to the Sokovia Accords, fuels this dynamic."

Perhaps John Walker and his morally ambiguous team from Thunderbolts will become Ross's Avengers. Ross's nickname, Thunderbolt, hints at this possibility.

This scenario would allow Wilson to assemble an independent superhero team, coinciding with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom's arrival in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Regardless, Brave New World marks Wilson's journey towards leading the Avengers. Onah highlights Wilson's preparedness for this role.

Onah emphasizes Wilson's empathy as his superpower. Beyond physical capabilities, his understanding of allies and enemies allows him to effectively wield the shield's values. "This makes him a Captain America for this era," Onah explains.

Moore adds, "Sam's readiness to lead hinges on his belief in being Captain America. Our goal was to portray his journey of self-doubt, ultimately leading the audience to conclude that he's the only one for the job."

Wilson's timeline is tight. Only two films precede Avengers: Doomsday. He'll likely recruit his team in Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps. While the path is shorter than the five films leading to The Avengers (2012), characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be awaiting the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.