“Captain America: Brave New World” – Everything You Need to Know

Anthony Mackie returns as the high-flying hero Sam Wilson who has officially taken up the mantle of Captain America in Marvel‘s “Captain America: Brave New Wold“.

The fourth installment of the series also marks Mackies’s first solo MCU film. This is the moment that Marvel has been building upto ever since Steve Rodgers handed Sam his shield at the end of “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019. The trailer for the film was released on July 12, 2024, almost two years after its announcement at Comic Con in 2022.

What You Need To Remember:

The legacy of Captain America began with Chris Evans portraying Steve Rogers in “Captain America: The First Avenger”. His story began in WWII when he underwent a transformation through the super soldier serum, gaining extraordinary abilities. We were first introduced to Sam Wilson played by Anthony Mackie in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, The Falcon as he was called remained a trusted sidekick of Cap and his best friend Bucky, The Winter Soldier and an Avenger throughout Marvel’s Phase 3 and 4. After a fulfilling journey, Steve Rogers retired in “Avengers: Endgame” by returning to the past to be with Peggy Carter. He then passed on his shield to Sam Wilson.

In Marvel’s series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”, Sam initially felt uncertain about assuming the role, is faced with a global turmoil after the absence of a Captain America, Bucky encourags Sam to reconsider. Together, they confronted the Flag Smashers, a group of super-powered terrorists who idealized the world during the Blip. The series, depicted Sam grappling with the legacy and eventually embracing the responsibility of becoming the new Captain America.

What is Brave New World About?

After struggling with whether or not he would take on the mantle of Captain America, in “Captain America: Brave New World” we see Sam given his first chance to show the world and himself that he truly is a worthy successor to Steve Rogers as he faces threats both seen and unseen in an intense and action packed film. After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, played by Harrison Ford in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut who steps into the role following the passing of William Hurt in 2022. Ross as you may remember was responsible for arresting Sam and his fellow Avengers during the events of “Captain America: Civil War”. In the trailer we see Ross and Sam meet at a White House meeting where he mentions his eagerness to make make Captain America an official military personell.

Courtesy of Marvel Studios

When Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident, when an assasination attempt is made on Ross’s life things get intense. It turns out his friend and retired super-soldier Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) is named the prime suspect after having been activated (much like Bucky was as The Winter Soldier) by an unknown force. He must discover the real reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red. The trailer teases the showdown that fans are waiting for, the battle between Captain America and Red Hulk, the superhero alter ego of Ford’s character as written in the comics, who had long been speculated to make an appearance in the film. The trailer also offers us a glimpse at Giancarlo Esposito’s mystery villian, which will no doubt be a highlight, considering Esposito and villany goes together like Thanos and infinity stones. With the addition of The Leader, Sam is going to have plenty of villains on his hands.

The film also includes a few other exciting Easter eggs such as the first look and first aknowledgement of Tiamat, the corpse of the giant celestial that was stuck sticking out of the ocean at the end of Eternals in 2021, Marvel fans have been wondering why the literal giant in the room had not been addressed all this time, but it looks like we will finally be getting some answers. In one of the trailers most chilling ans intense moments we see Ross tell Sam “You may be Captain America, but you’re not Steve Rodgers.” To which Sam replies, “You’re right, I’m not.” A line that sets the tone for the film and Sam’s journey ahead.

Who Is In The Cast?

The film will bring back a few familiar faces, while also introducing exciting new villains. Anthony Mackie will of course star in the titular role of Sam Wilson aka Captain America, Harrison Ford stars as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who will also transform into Marvel’s Red Hulk. Danny Ramirez stars as Joaquin Torres aka Falcon, A first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force who will have a his sidekick-like role and will take on Wilson’s former mantle of Falcon. Shira Haas stars as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Black Widow and high-ranking U.S. government official who is a close ally of President Ross, Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, Thaddeus’s daughter, Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns aka The Leader, Rosa Salazar as Rachel Leighton aka Diamondback and Giancarlo Esposito in an undisclosed villain role. Sadly it was announced earlier this year that Stan would not be reprising his role as Bucky Barnes in the film.

One of the biggest surprises in the cast is the return of Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns aka The Leader, who was last seen in the MCU in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk”. Another connection to “The Incredible Hulk” is Liv Tyler who played Edward Norton’s love interest in the film.

When Will it Release?

Directed by Julius Onah and produced by Marvel Studios’ veterans Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, the dramatic and action packed film will premiere on February 14th 2025.

On April 23, 2021, it was reported that a fourth Captain America film was in development with Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson set to write the script. It was also reported that Mackie would reprise his role as Sam Wilson/Captain America in the film. This was later confirmed on July 23 in 2022, at San Diego Comic-Con when Kevin Feige announced that a fourth Captain America film titled Captain America: New World Order was in development. He also announced that the film would be released on May 3, 2024. After several delays due to the WGA and SAG strike last year, the film is finally set for an early Spring release.

Watch the trailer below:

It may be too soon to tell but it’s possible that this may be one of the most important solo films in the MCU, not only in the sense that it can promise a new direction for the MCU, and the Avengers but having a Black Captain America lead his own solo film is an achievent in its own. Chadwick Boseman would be proud. I know Steve Rogers definitely is.