Captain America: Brave New World Is the Start of Avengers 2.0

Six years after the Avengers disbanded following Thanos' defeat and Tony Stark's death, the world once again needs its mightiest heroes. With new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the MCU must swiftly reassemble the team, a process initiated in Captain America: Brave New World.

Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore explains the strategic delay in reuniting the Avengers, stating that allowing audiences time to miss the team was crucial. He highlights Captain America's central role in successful Avengers iterations, emphasizing Sam Wilson's journey to becoming a worthy leader, a journey explored in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Brave New World showcases Wilson confidently embracing his role as Captain America, but immediately faces the challenge of 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 is surprising, considering Ross's role in establishing the Sokovia Accords. Director Julius Onah clarifies Ross's evolution into a statesman who recognizes past mistakes and seeks to utilize the Avengers for global benefit.

Ross, a general, understands strategic advantages. The film depicts a Captain America-led Avengers team as a branch of the US defense department, a consequence of Captain America's official government role. Moore suggests Ross's motivation is securing control over a powerful force before others do, particularly in light of the potential Adamantium arms race following the discovery of Adamantium within the petrified Celestial from Eternals.

The collaboration between President Ross and Captain America Wilson is unlikely to be seamless. Wilson's commitment to Steve Rogers' anti-government ideals contrasts sharply with Ross's past actions. Onah emphasizes the palpable tension between the two, stemming from Ross's role in the Sokovia Accords and Wilson's subsequent imprisonment.

The possibility exists that John Walker's morally ambiguous team, featured in Thunderbolts, might become Ross's Avengers. Wilson's potential to lead an independent team, coinciding with Doctor Doom's arrival in Avengers: Doomsday, remains open. Brave New World sets the stage for Wilson's evolution into an Avengers leader, highlighting his empathy as a key strength. Moore and Onah emphasize Wilson's journey of self-belief and his ultimate worthiness to lead.

With only two films between Brave New World and Avengers: Doomsday, Wilson's recruitment efforts likely span Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps. While the path to Avengers 2.0 is shorter than the lead-up to the original Avengers, the anticipation for the team's reassembly is palpable.