"Captain America: Brave New World Launches 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, however, is once again in need of its mightiest heroes. With new Avengers movies slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) must swiftly reassemble its 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 seasoned 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 history have always had Captain America at their core. Following Steve Rogers passing his shield to Sam Wilson in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU has been focused on developing Wilson into the leader he needs to be. This transformation wasn't easy for Wilson, as explored in the six-part Disney+ series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." By the time of "Brave New World," Wilson proudly dons the red, white, and blue. Yet, as he overcomes the challenges of being Captain America, he faces an even greater task: leading a new Avengers team.

Marketing clips for "Brave New World" reveal that President Ross, now played by Harrison Ford following William Hurt's passing, asks Wilson to revive the Avengers project. This might surprise fans, given Ross's role in establishing the Sokovia Accords, which led to the team's division. Julius Onah, the director of "Brave New World," explains Ross's shift: "He was a guy who had this real legacy that could maybe be defined by his anger. But the man that we're meeting now is an elder statesman, a diplomat turning a new leaf, who 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, and he envisions a revamped Avengers team, especially since Captain America is now an official role within the U.S. government. "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."

Sam Wilson must now embrace Captain America's ultimate responsibility: leading the Avengers. | Image credit: Disney / Marvel Studios

Ross's renewed interest in the Avengers likely stems from the discovery of a world-changing substance. The Celestial that turned to stone at the end of "Eternals" has been revealed at San Diego Comic Con 2024 to be a source of Adamantium, a super metal akin to Wakanda's Vibranium. With nations poised to enter an Adamantium arms race, having superheroes on one's side 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 potential underlying motives for this new Avengers team suggest a rocky relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America. Steve Rogers was firmly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold those values throughout his career.

"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 may not be the leader President Ross envisions. The 2025 MCU project, "Thunderbolts," featuring anti-heroes like John Walker, who briefly and controversially took up the Captain America mantle, might introduce Ross's preferred team. With Ross's nickname being Thunderbolt, it's fitting that Walker and his morally flexible companions could become the President's Avengers.

If this scenario unfolds, Wilson could form his own independent team of superheroes, just in time for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026. Regardless of the specifics, "Brave New World" marks a crucial step in Wilson's journey to becoming the leader of the Avengers. Onah was eager to prepare Wilson for this role, knowing it would be the first film to address the assembly of the next Avengers team.

Onah highlights Wilson's empathy as his superpower, which sets him apart as the Captain America of this era. Despite being just a man with a shield and mechanical wings, Wilson's ability to understand and empathize with allies and enemies alike allows him to effectively 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," 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, 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 act quickly. After "Brave New World," he's expected to appear in "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" to recruit his team. While this timeline is shorter than the five films leading up to 2012's "The Avengers," iconic characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner might be ready to answer the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.