Captain America: Brave New World Launches Avengers 2.0

It has been nearly six years since the Avengers disbanded following the defeat of Thanos and the tragic loss of Tony Stark. However, the world's need for its mightiest heroes has not diminished, and with new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up to bring the team back together. The journey to reassemble the Avengers kicks off in the upcoming film, *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 one of the key figures behind 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 been anchored by Captain America. Following Steve Rogers' decision to pass the shield to Sam Wilson at the end of *Avengers: Endgame*, the MCU has taken time to develop Wilson into the leader he needs to become. This transition wasn't easy for Wilson, as explored in the six-part Disney+ series, *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*. By the time *Brave New World* rolls around, Wilson has embraced the role of Captain America. Yet, his next challenge is even more daunting: leading a new Avengers team.

In a pre-release marketing clip for *Brave New World*, we see President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, who has taken over the role from the late William Hurt, tasking Wilson with the mission to restart the Avengers. This might confuse long-term fans, considering Ross's history with the Sokovia Accords, which led to the Avengers' division. So why would Ross, who once split the team, now want to see them reassembled?

"He was a guy who had this real legacy that could maybe be defined by his anger," explains Julius Onah, the director of *Brave New World*. "But the man that we're meeting now is an elder statesman, a diplomat, turning a new leaf. He sees and understands the errors of his past and wants to do better. He wants to initiate the Avengers because they could be a benefit to the world."

As a general, Ross understands tactical advantages. However, he does not intend to recreate the Avengers as they once were. As established in *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*, Captain America is now an official role within the United States government, and in *Brave New World*, Wilson works directly with the President. This suggests that a Captain America-led Avengers team would function as a branch of the US defense department.

"Ross is the man who passed the Sokovia Accords," says Moore. "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, and he figures why not do it first before somebody beats me to the punch."

Ross's interest in reassembling the Avengers isn't just about future films. It's linked to the discovery of a world-changing substance: Adamantium, the super metal introduced at San Diego Comic Con 2024, found within the Celestial turned to stone at the end of *Eternals*. With this valuable resource open to all nations, an Adamantium arms race seems imminent, making it crucial to have superheroes on your side.

"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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If there is an underlying motive to this new Avengers team, it suggests a potentially rocky relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson’s Captain America. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold those values. This tension is palpable in Brave New World.

"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. Because of that history, Sam was put into prison. The Sokovia Accords, all the stuff that Ross pushed forward as Secretary of State came into play. These are things that when these two men walk into a room, that tension between them is palpable."

It's possible that Sam Wilson might not be the leader Ross envisions for the Avengers. This could lead to 2025's *Thunderbolts*, featuring anti-heroes like John Walker, stepping in to become the President's Avengers. Given Ross's nickname, Thunderbolt, this seems fitting.

If this scenario unfolds, Wilson could form his own independent team, setting the stage for Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom in 2026's *Avengers: Doomsday*. Regardless of how it plays out, *Brave New World* is a critical step in Wilson's journey to leadership, a journey that began when he took up the shield.

Onah highlights Wilson's worthiness, rooted in his empathy, which he considers the character's superpower. Wilson, equipped with just a shield and mechanical wings, excels not only in combat but in understanding others' perspectives, allowing him to embody the values the shield represents.

"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," adds Moore. "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."

Time is of the essence for Wilson. Following *Brave New World*, only two films stand between us and *Avengers: Doomsday*. It's likely that Captain America will appear in *Thunderbolts* and *Fantastic Four: First Steps* to recruit his team. While the road to the 2026 event is shorter than the five films leading to 2012's *The Avengers*, characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner might be ready to answer the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.