"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. 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 led 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" unfolds, Wilson has embraced his role as Captain America, but he now faces the daunting challenge of leading a new Avengers team.

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 new Captain America role, as established in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," is now an official position within the U.S. government, and Wilson works directly with 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 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 rivaling Wakanda's Vibranium. With nations potentially racing to harness this resource, having a superhero team becomes 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!"

How Sam Wilson/Falcon Became Captain America in the Comics

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The underlying motives behind the new Avengers team suggest that the relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America may be fraught with tension. Steve Rogers was staunchly 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."

There's a possibility that Sam Wilson may not be the leader President Ross envisions. The upcoming 2025 MCU project, "Thunderbolts," featuring anti-heroes like John Walker, who briefly took up the Captain America mantle in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," might introduce Ross's preferred team. Given Ross's nickname, Thunderbolt, it's conceivable that Walker and his team could become the President's Avengers.

If this scenario unfolds, Wilson could form his own independent team of superheroes, setting the stage for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in "Avengers: Doomsday" in 2026. Regardless of the specifics, "Brave New World" marks a significant step in Wilson's journey to becoming the Avengers' leader, a journey that began when he first took up the shield.

Onah highlights Wilson's empathy as his superpower, which is crucial for wielding the shield effectively. "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," 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 must act swiftly. It's likely that Captain America will appear in both "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" to recruit his team. While this timeline is shorter than the buildup to 2012's "The Avengers," familiar faces like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner may be ready to answer the call. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.