Sam Wilson took up the shield in the MCU timeline at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which ended with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) becoming the new Captain America, and the newest film sees him fully come into his own as the hero.
Following Steve Rogers stepping away as Captain America at the end of Avengers: Endgame, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explored Sam's struggles with whether to take up the Captain America mantle and attempt to live up to his legacy. Captain America: Brave New World was Sam's first opportunity to show why he's the worthy successor to Steve Rogers, as he faced multiple threats, including the MCU's Red Hulk, positioning him to become the new leader of a future Avengers team.
Quick Links
Captain America Brave New World Box Office And Critical Reception
The Worst Received Captain America Film
Captain America: Brave New World entered theaters with a $180 million dollar budget, which is lower than some more recent MCU films. However, Brave New World will still need to make some significant money to break even. While it seems likely that the film will be able to make a profit in the long run, the muted critics' score could affect just how high the movie will climb at the box office. In fact, the biggest thing working against Captain America: Brave New World is that it fails to live up to the highs set by the original Captain America trilogy.
The film currently sits at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes from 201 reviews, making it one of the lowest-rated MCU movies of all time, only ahead of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, and Eternals. It's also the lowest Captain America film by a long shot, as The First Avenger sits at 80% while The Winter Soldier and Civil War both sit at 90%. It's unfortunate that Anthony Mackie's first film outing as Captain America failed to live up to the same critical success that the franchise has enjoyed.
- Captain America: Brave New World Review - I Wanted To Love Anthony Mackie's Bleak MCU Movie But I Was Just Bored & Disappointed
- 10 Reasons Captain America: Brave New World Reviews Are So Negative
Captain America: Brave New World Cast
Anthony Mackie's First Leading Film As Captain America
At the center of Captain America: Brave New World is Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson, officially in the position of Captain America for a theatrical film in the MCU, after he became the character at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. It marks a new direction for Captain America in the MCU, leading into the rest of the Multiverse Saga.
Anthony Mackie is ed by a variety of strong actors, which include Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, who eventually becomes Red Hulk, and Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, taking up the mantle of Falcon. Carl Lumbly returns as Isaiah Bradley, the first Black super soldier of the MCU, who was held prisoner for decades. Liv Tyler returns as Betty Ross, the daughter of Thaddeus and former love interest to Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. Shira Haas plays Sabra in the film, a former Black Widow who works closely with President Ross.
No film is complete without its villains and Captain America: Brave New World has some great ones. Most notably is the return of Tim Blake Nelson, embracing his villainous persona of the Leader, eventually manipulating President Ross into becoming the Red Hulk. Alongside him, Giancarlo Esposito makes his MCU entrance as Sidewinder, the leader of the Serpent Society.
Characters In Captain America: Brave New World |
Actor |
|
|---|---|---|
Sam Wilson / Captain America |
Anthony Mackie |
|
Thaddeus Ross / Red Hulk |
Harrison Ford |
|
Joaquin Torres / Falcon |
Danny Ramirez |
|
Isaiah Bradley |
Carl Lumbly |
|
Samuel Sterns / The Leader |
Tim Blake Nelson |
|
Ruth Bat-Seraph / Sabra |
Shira Haas
|
|
Sidewinder |
Giancarlo Esposito |
|
Betty Ross |
Liv Tyler |
|
- Captain America: Brave New World Cast & Marvel Character Guide
- Red Hulk Explained: Who Is Captain America: Brave New World's New Villain
Captain America: Brave New World Trailers
Watch The Trailers Here
The first Captain America: Brave New World trailer was released on July 12, 2024, almost two years after its announcement. Marvel revealed an official breakdown of the trailer, including some additional story details alongside the release:
The trailer kicks off with a tense White House meeting, as Sam comes to face with newly-elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross. Harrison Ford makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Ross, a role originated by the late William Hurt.
Ross and Sam have a bit of a history: In his previous role as Secretary of State, Ross was responsible for arresting Sam and his fellow Avengers during the events of Captain America: Civil War. Now as president, Ross is eager to work with Sam, hoping to make Captain America an official military position.
But that tentative alliance is jeopardized when Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident, with friend and retired super-soldier Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) as the prime suspect. Sam’s investigation send him on a dangerous chase, and the trailer ends with a deadly showdown and a tease of the menacing Red Hulk.
The trailer announcement also included some key cast information, shedding more light on what to expect from many new and familiar faces. This included the revelation that Shira Haas would play a new version of Ruth Bat-Seraph, rewriting Sabra as a former Black Widow.
A brand-new official trailer for Captain America: Brave New World was released during D23 Brazil, showing some more story beats as well as a better look at Thaddeus Ross as Red Hulk. The trailer focused on Isiah Bradley's attempt to assassinate President Ross, promising an action thriller similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It also provided a look at Sam Wilson's new Captain America outfit, including a brand-new mask he uses when flying.
It was previously confirmed that Captain America: Brave New World would officially introduce adamantium into the universe, which is explained to be the material Celestials' bodies are made of. The trailer briefly shows a scene around the Celestial Tiamut, who emerged in Eternals, finally incorporating that story element into the MCU. Since adamantium is such a key resource in Marvel, this is sure to be a major development for the cinematic universe.
- Sam Wilson And Red Hulk Recap: 10 Things To Know From Previous Marvel Movies & Shows Before Captain America: Brave New World
- Wait, I Don’t Understand Why Marvel Is Ignoring 1 Important Thing About Captain America 4’s Newest Hero
Captain America: Brave New World Ending And Spoilers
Sam Wilson Fights Red Hulk And Wants To Assemble The Avengers
Captain America: Brave New World's ending sets up some pretty significant things as the MCU heads towards Avengers: Doomsday and the end of the Multiverse Saga with Avengers: Secret Wars. Most notable is Sam Wilson's desire to rebuild the Avengers and, given his conversation with the Leader in the post-credit scene, he will need all the help he can get if they are going to protect Earth from Doctor Doom or anyone else who might try to threaten the very fabric of the universe.
Given that Red Hulk didn't play as big of a role as the trailers might have led people to believe, there is still a lot the MCU can do with the character. By the end of the film, Thaddeus Ross is imprisoned in the Raft, having been manipulated by the Leader to turn into the Red Hulk. Of course, it wasn't necessarily his fault, but taking precautions by keeping him locked up could indicate the threat of him being Red Hulk again is possible, maybe setting him on a collision course with Bruce Banner.
- Every MCU Cameo In Captain America: Brave New World
- Captain America: Brave New World's Post-Credits Scene Sets Up An Unexpected Marvel Movie
Where Captain America Will Appear Next In The MCU
Sam Wilson Will Continue To Be Captain America Going Forward
By the end of Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson is still Captain America, and has successfully stopped the Leader, Sidewinder, and Red Hulk. With his next objective being putting together a new Avengers team, it raises the question of when he will appear in another MCU project. It's entirely possible that he could appear in Thunderbolts* given his connection to Bucky and his wanting to recruit the into the Avengers.
The more likely scenario for Sam Wilson's first return as Captain America after his film is in Avengers: Doomsday, where he looks to have a significant role. It's unclear the exact story details for that film, including whether he will have put together a new Avengers team prior to having to face off against Doctor Doom, or if he will need to assemble them during the events of the movie. No matter where he appears next after Captain America: Brave New World, it is certain to be important for the MCU.
- Where Is Steve Rogers During The Events Of Captain America: Brave New World
- Why Sam Wilson Is Captain America Now In The MCU
Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date
- February 14, 2025
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Julius Onah
Cast
Sam Wilson / Captain America
Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross / Red Hulk
WHERE TO WATCH
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
- Writers
- Dalan Musson, Malcolm Spellman
- Franchise(s)
- Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Studio(s)
- Marvel Studios
Your comment has not been saved