"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 never waned. With new Avengers movies slated for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to reassemble the team, and the process begins 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 best Avengers teams in Marvel comics history have always had Captain America at their core. Following Steve Rogers passing his shield to Sam Wilson at the end of "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU dedicated time to developing Wilson into the leader he needed to become. This journey was not easy for Wilson, as depicted in the six-part Disney+ series "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," which delved into his struggles with assuming the mantle of Captain America. By the time of "Brave New World," Wilson has embraced the red, white, and blue, but faces a new challenge: leading a new Avengers team.

In a pre-release marketing clip for "Brave New World," President Ross, now portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt, asks Wilson to revive the Avengers project. This request may surprise fans, given Ross's role in establishing the Sokovia Accords, which led to the Avengers' division. However, director Julius Onah explains that Ross has evolved into an elder statesman and diplomat, acknowledging past mistakes and seeing the potential benefit of a reformed Avengers team to the world.

As a general, Ross understands the tactical advantage of having superheroes at his disposal. He plans to integrate the Avengers into the U.S. defense department, leveraging their power under his command. "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 renewed interest in the Avengers may be driven by the discovery of Adamantium, a super metal introduced at San Diego Comic Con 2024, derived from the Celestial turned to stone at the end of "Eternals." With nations potentially racing to harness this resource, having a superhero team could provide a significant strategic 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 past conflicts. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold his predecessor's ideals. "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."

If Wilson does not align with Ross's vision, the President might turn to John Walker and his team from the upcoming "Thunderbolts" film, set to release shortly after "Brave New World." Walker, who briefly took up the Captain America mantle only to tarnish it, could lead a government-sanctioned Avengers team, freeing Wilson to assemble his own independent group.

Wilson's worthiness to lead stems from his empathy, which Onah considers his superpower. As an MCU fan knows, Wilson is more than just a man with a shield and mechanical wings; his ability to understand both allies and enemies enables him to effectively wield the shield and embody its values. "I think that's what makes him a Captain America of this moment," Onah states.

"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."

With only two movies left before "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026, Wilson's journey to assemble the new Avengers team is set to accelerate. He is likely to appear in "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" as he recruits members for the upcoming event. While the path to "Avengers: Doomsday" is shorter than the buildup to the original "Avengers" film, key characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be ready to answer the call. The reassembly of Avengers 2.0 starts with "Captain America: Brave New World."