"Captain America: Brave New World Kicks Off Avengers 2.0 Era"

It has been nearly six years since the Avengers disbanded after defeating Thanos and mourning the loss of Tony Stark. However, the world's need for its mightiest heroes has resurfaced, and with new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is poised to reassemble the team. The journey to recruit the next generation of Avengers kicks off in "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 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 in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU has been focused on developing Wilson into the leader the team needs. 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" rolls around, Wilson has embraced his role as Captain America. Yet, he faces a new challenge: leading the Avengers.

A pre-release marketing clip for "Brave New World" reveals that President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt, approaches Wilson to revive the Avengers initiative. This might surprise long-term fans, given Ross's history with the Sokovia Accords, which led to the Avengers' division. However, Julius Onah, the director of "Brave New World," explains that Ross has evolved into an elder statesman and diplomat, recognizing past mistakes and seeing the potential benefits of a reformed Avengers team.

As a general, Ross understands the tactical advantage of having superheroes under his command. The film establishes that Captain America is now an official role within the U.S. government, with Wilson working directly under the President. This suggests that a Captain America-led Avengers team would essentially be a branch of the U.S. defense department.

"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, and he figures why not do it first before somebody beats me to the punch."

Ross's renewed interest in the Avengers may be driven by the discovery of Adamantium, a super metal revealed at San Diego Comic Con 2024 to be sourced from the Celestial turned to stone at the end of "Eternals." With nations potentially racing to harness this powerful resource, having a superhero team could provide a significant advantage.

"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 conflicting histories. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold those values. Onah highlights the emotional journey Wilson undergoes, especially when facing someone who once divided the Avengers and led to his imprisonment.

There's a possibility that Sam Wilson may not be the leader Ross envisions for the government-operated Avengers team. The upcoming 2025 film "Thunderbolts" might introduce an alternative, featuring anti-heroes like John Walker, who briefly took up the Captain America mantle but tarnished its legacy. This could lead to Walker and his team becoming the President's Avengers, freeing Wilson to form his own independent group.

With Robert Downey Jr. set to return as Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026, Wilson's journey to lead the Avengers is crucial. "Brave New World" marks a significant step in this path, preparing Wilson for the challenges ahead.

Onah emphasizes Wilson's worthiness to lead, attributing it to his empathy, which he describes as Wilson's superpower. Despite being just a man with a shield and mechanical wings, Wilson's ability to understand others' perspectives allows him to effectively embody the values the shield represents.

"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 films separating "Brave New World" from "Avengers: Doomsday," Wilson's recruitment efforts are likely to extend into "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps." While the path to assembling the new Avengers is shorter than before, familiar faces like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be ready to join the cause. The journey to form Avengers 2.0 begins with "Captain America: Brave New World."