Six years after the Avengers disbanded following Thanos' defeat and Tony Stark's death, the world once again requires its mightiest heroes. With new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the MCU must swiftly reassemble the team. This crucial recruitment process begins in Captain America: Brave New World.
Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore explains the strategic decision to delay the Avengers' return, stating, "We knew if we jumped right back into the Avengers after Endgame, we wouldn't give people a chance to miss it." He highlights Captain America's central role in successful Avengers teams, emphasizing the time needed to establish Sam Wilson as a capable leader following Steve Rogers' passing of the shield. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier depicted Wilson's struggles, but Brave New World showcases his confident embrace of the Captain America mantle. However, a new challenge awaits: leading a new Avengers team.
A marketing clip reveals President Ross (Harrison Ford), succeeding the late William Hurt, tasks Wilson with restarting the Avengers initiative. This might surprise fans, considering Ross' role in enacting the Sokovia Accords, which fractured the original team. Director Julius Onah clarifies Ross' evolution: "The man that we're meeting now is...a diplomat...who sees and understands the errors of his past and wants to do better." Ross's strategic understanding makes the Avengers a valuable asset.
This new Avengers team, however, won't mirror its predecessor. Captain America's official government role and Wilson's direct collaboration with the President establish the team as a branch of the US defense department. Moore explains Ross's motivation: "He certainly realized that the Avengers left unchecked may not be the best idea...power is more beneficial to him if it's under his command."
Ross's interest likely stems from the discovery of a world-altering substance: Adamantium, unearthed from the petrified Celestial in Eternals. This super metal triggers a potential arms race, prompting the need for a superhero team. Moore emphasizes the tactical advantage: "Any nation that has a group of Avengers has a leg up."
Sam Wilson's Comic Book Journey to Captain America
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The partnership between Ross and Wilson is unlikely to be seamless, given Ross's past actions and Wilson's commitment to Steve Rogers' ideals. Onah highlights the palpable tension: "Sam was put into prison...the Sokovia Accords...these are things that when these two men walk into a room, that tension between them is palpable."
The possibility exists that John Walker and his Thunderbolts team, introduced in the 2025 film, might become Ross's Avengers. This would leave Wilson free to assemble his own team, potentially in time for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.
Brave New World sets the stage for Wilson's journey to becoming the Avengers leader. Onah emphasizes Wilson's empathy as his superpower, highlighting his ability to understand diverse perspectives. Moore adds, "Our goal...was to take him on a journey of questioning...Hopefully...him and the audience go ‘There certainly could be no one else’."
With only two films before Avengers: Doomsday, Wilson's recruitment efforts will likely feature in Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins in Brave New World.
