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[Photo Credit: Marvel Entertainment]
Did you know that Captain America wasn’t always Marvel’s golden boy?
Back in 1954, Steve Rogers became a Cold War-era “Commie Smasher,” a storyline Marvel later revised.
Captain America’s journey has always been filled with twists and turns — from his Golden Age debut to his iconic role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which has defined a generation.
Now, the shield passes to Sam Wilson in a bold new era with Captain America: Brave New World. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or a casual moviegoer, this film is set to shake things up in the MCU Phase 5.
Let’s explore the incredible cast of characters, their origins and why Brave New World is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Marvel films to date!
The New Captain America
Sam Wilson, originally known as the Falcon, has always been a hero in his own right.
Introduced in Captain America #117 (1969), Sam was one of Marvel’s first Black superheroes.
His debut as the Falcon symbolized hope and resilience during this era, particularly in the context of the civil rights movement, racial tensions and a growing demand for equality and representation.
Falcon’s partnership with Steve Rogers established him as a trusted ally and a man with a strong moral compass.
In the comics, Sam’s transition from Falcon to Captain America occurred in 2014’s All New Captain America series.
In the MCU, Sam’s journey began in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) as a former pararescueman who quickly bonded with Steve Rogers over their shared military background and sense of duty.
Armed with his iconic EXO-7 Falcon wings, Sam became a vital member of the Avengers.
In Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers entrusted him with the shield.
Sam Wilson’s rise as Captain America reflects the MCU’s commitment to diversity, mirroring the comics’ effort to make superhero stories more inclusive.
Sam’s journey resonates deeply with audiences from underrepresented communities and addresses modern themes of race and identity.
Captain America: Brave New World — What To Expect
The fourth installment in the Captain America series continues the story from the television miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
In the series, Sam struggles with the legacy of the shield, and this movie represents his first mission as the iconic Cap.
Captain America: Brave New World is set to premiere on February 14, 2025 as part of Phase Five of the MCU, which began with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023).
The story follows Sam Wilson as he navigates his new responsibilities while confronting threats to the entire world.
A central plot of the movie point involves President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, who transforms into the Red Hulk — Captain America’s dangerous adversary.
Based on the trailer, we can tell that the movie will blend political intrigue with adrenalin-fueled action, similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The trailer also hints at the introduction of adamantium into the MCU, featuring scenes with Tiamut from Eternals, which suggests a connection to this rare material.
Adamantium is one of the most significant metals in the Marvel Universe — it’s central to Wolverine and X-Men lore.
With Wolverine’s addition to the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine, the inclusion of adamantium in this fourth installment of Captain America sets the stage for exciting scenarios and likely connections to mutants and the X-Men in the MCU.
Meet The Heroes Of Captain America: Brave New World
The high-anticipated movie will introduce some exciting characters who will support the legendary Cap.
1. Joaquín Torres — The Falcon
Since Sam took on the role of the new Cap, the movie introduces us to the new Falcon —Joaquín Torres.
In the comic book, Sons of the Serpent — a racist group — kidnapped Joaquín. They conducted experiments on him, which granted him falcon-like abilities, including wings and enhanced eyesight. He became Sam Wilson’s loyal sidekick as the new Falcon.
In the MCU, Torres inherited Sam’s Falcon tech in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which marked his transition to the hero role we’ll see in Brave New World.
Joaquín’s resourcefulness and enthusiasm can provide Sam with a dependable ally, much like Sam once was to Steve Rogers. His youthful energy might balance Sam’s more contemplative demeanor.
However, the transition of roles may create tension as Joaquín could potentially struggle with self-doubt or find himself overshadowed by Sam’s legacy.
2. Ruth Bat-Seraph — Sabra
Sabra’s character debuted in Incredible Hulk #256 (1980).
Sabra works as a government Mossad agent at Mossad — Israel’s national intelligence agency.
Aside from protecting her homeland, she often collaborates with other Marvel heroes to combat global challenges.
Sabra’s experience as a government agent could make her an invaluable ally, as she brings expertise in intelligence and strategy. Her pragmatic worldview might complement Sam’s idealism.
Although, cultural differences or conflicting methods might create friction between Sabra and Sam, especially if their approaches to justice differ. This dynamic could underscore the complexities of international cooperation in today’s world.
2. Isaiah Bradley
Isaiah’s character first appeared in Truth: Red, White & Black #1 (2003) comic book series.
In the MCU, Isaiah played a major role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In the movie, he was introduced as a super soldier. He was created by the U.S. government during unethical experiments conducted on African American soldiers during the Korean War.
While Steve Rogers was celebrated as a hero, Bradley was imprisoned and erased from history despite his heroic deeds.
His story serves as a poignant reminder of America’s complicated history with its heroes. His past as a forgotten super soldier profoundly influences Sam Wilson and it helps him deal with the complexities of becoming Captain America as a Black man.
Captain America’s Fearsome Adversaries
Brave New World will introduce us to some intimidating characters who will try to make Captain America’s life a lot harder.
1. Thaddeus Ross
Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962).
After this event, Ross started to believe that The Hulk is a danger to all of humanity so he tries to destroy him.
During his pursuit, he teams up with the Intelligencia — a group of supervillains who work together to achieve their devious goals.
Doctor Doom, The Leader and MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing) are some of the “notable” members, so you get the idea of who Ross’ company is.
The Intelligencia played a huge role in the comics following the events of World War Hulk when Bruce Banner returned to Earth seeking revenge after being exiled by the Illuminati.
The Intelligencia developed and controlled the satellites that drained and collected The Hulk’s gamma radiation.
They wanted to use gamma energy to create an entity strong enough to rival The Hulk. They chose Ross as the test subject and so he became The Red Hulk.
Although Ross initially wanted to destroy The Hulk since he thought him too dangerous, he became exactly what he wanted to eliminate — The Hulk with red skin.
In the MCU, Ross has appeared in several movies, including The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
So far, we’ve seen Ross evolve from a military general to a political figure in the movies. His transformation into the Red Hulk will be completely new to the MCU and we can’t wait to find out what it will mean for both the character and the entire Marvel universe.
We do expect that Ross’ belief in military strength and control will clash with Sam’s, who champions diplomacy and inclusivity.
2. Samuel Sterns — The Leader
Samuel Sterns first appeared in Tales To Astonish #62.
During an accident at work, he was exposed to gamma radiation, which turned his skin green and made his brand grow, increasing his intelligence.
In the comics, Sterns consistently tries to defeat The Hulk using his genius-level intellect.
In the MCU, he first appeared in The Incredible Hulk (2008).
We saw him act as a cellular biologist who worked alongside Branner to find a cure for his transformations.
In their work, they used Branner’s blood.
During a confrontation with The Abomination, a sample of Branner’s blood accidentally drips into Stern’s open head. His cranium then enlarged and he transformed into the supervillain The Leader.
His return to the MCU could mean that we’ll see more of using gamma radiation as a weapon, which could potentially pit him against the Red Hulk. Or, Ross might want to use Sterns to have him recreate the Super Soldier Serum since he interacted with a version of it when Emil Blonsky was first enhanced by a prototype serum and then further transformed into The Abomination by gamma rays.
Although both Sterns and Ross will be villains in the movie, the two may not end up aligning perfectly. Sterns’ intellectual arrogance might clash with Ross’ militaristic approach, which could lead to tension or betrayal within their alliance.
It’ll be interesting to see if Sterns’ strategies will force Sam to think beyond physical fights and emphasize his leadership skills and strategic mind.
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Why Captain America: Brave New World Matters
The fourth installment in the Captain America series carries significant weight for several reasons.
Brave New World potentially sets up the scene for the future of the MCU.
With The Red Hulk, The Leader and Sabra joining the fold, this movie could mark the start of larger mutant-related action within the cinematic universe.
It also seems that the movie will address intriguing themes, such as national identity and the heavy cost of power, which will make the movie all the more complex and interesting to watch.
Captain America: Brave New World also honors the comic legacy of Captain America because it stays true to key thematic elements of the comics while embracing modern storytelling.
In the comics, the transition of the Captain America mantle to Sam Wilson in All-New Captain America (2014) was a pivotal moment.
The MCU mirrors this transition in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and now expands on it in Brave New World, showcasing Sam Wilson’s struggles and triumphs as the new Captain America.
While the comic legacy of Captain America includes patriotic and idealistic undertones, Brave New World modernizes this with a more nuanced, global perspective.
The movie will likely balance Sam’s personal growth with larger political and ethical dilemmas, making it relevant to today’s audiences.
Final Thoughts — A Brave New Marvel Universe
Captain America: Brave New World represents a milestone in MCU Phase 5 and it’s much more than a continuation of the Captain America saga.
The movie will likely redefine what the shield stands for in a modern world.
With a stellar cast, deep connections to Marvel lore and the introduction of groundbreaking elements like adamantium, chances are that the film will leave an indelible mark on the MCU.
As Sam Wilson steps fully into his role as Captain America, fans can expect a story of resilience, legacy and hope.
February 14, 2025, can’t come soon enough.
