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's comic history have always had Captain America at their core. Following Steve Rogers' decision to pass the shield to Sam Wilson in "Avengers: Endgame," the MCU needed time to develop Wilson into the leader the team requires. This transition was not easy for Wilson, as depicted in the six-part Disney+ series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," which showcased his struggles. By the time of "Brave New World," Wilson has embraced his role as Captain America. Yet, as he masters this identity, he faces the daunting challenge of leading a new Avengers team.
In a pre-release marketing clip for "Brave New World," President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt, asks Wilson to restart the Avengers project. This might seem perplexing to long-time fans, given Ross's role in establishing the Sokovia Accords, which led to the Avengers' division. Yet, as Julius Onah, director of "Brave New World," explains, "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."
Given Ross's military background, he understands the tactical advantage of having a superhero team. However, he does not plan to recreate the Avengers as they once were. With Captain America now an official role within the United States government, Wilson works directly with the President, suggesting 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," Moore points out. "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
President Ross's interest in reassembling the Avengers likely stems from the discovery of a world-changing substance. The Celestial, turned to stone at the end of "Eternals," has been revealed at San Diego Comic Con 2024 to be a source of Adamantium, Marvel's renowned super metal and a valuable alternative to Wakanda's Vibranium. With this metal lying in the ocean, an Adamantium arms race looms, making a superhero team a strategic necessity.
"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!"
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If there is an ulterior motive behind this new Avengers team, it suggests that the working relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America will be fraught with tension. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to uphold his predecessor's 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 answer might lie in the upcoming MCU project, "Thunderbolts," set for release just months after "Brave New World." This film features a team of anti-heroes, including John Walker, who briefly took up the Captain America mantle in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" but tarnished Steve Rogers' legacy. Perhaps Walker and his morally ambiguous allies will become the President's Avengers, especially given Ross's nickname, Thunderbolt.
If this scenario unfolds, Wilson would be free to form his own independent superhero team, 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 the next step in Wilson's journey, which began when he took up the shield, leading him inexorably toward becoming the Avengers' leader. Julius Onah was excited to prepare Wilson for this role, knowing it would be the first film to address the assembly of the next Avengers team.
Wilson's worthiness stems from his empathy, which Onah describes as his superpower. While Wilson is equipped with a shield and mechanical wings, his true strength lies in his ability to understand the perspectives of both allies and enemies, enabling him to wield the shield effectively. "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, [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."
Wilson has little time to waste. Following "Brave New World," only two films remain before "Avengers: Doomsday." It's likely that Captain America will appear in both "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" as he recruits his team for the 2026 event. This timeline is much shorter than the five films leading up to 2012's "The Avengers," but key figures like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be ready to answer the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.
