Since the first trailer was unveiled at the D23 Expo in July of 2025, Captain America: Brave New World has been on the radar of Marvel diehards and has even piqued the interest of casual viewers. The film differs from traditional Marvel properties by effectively utilizing the political dramatics within the film rather than just focusing on the superhero appeal.
If it’s not exciting enough awaiting the first feature film centering around Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Brave New World‘s exhilarating trailer with smooth editing and pulsating music will get any action fan’s heart racing. As the film’s theatrical release approaches, fans are uncovering new details that are fostering even more of an impetus to rush to theaters on opening day.
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The First Captain America Movie in Almost a Decade
Captain America Fans Have Been Vying For a New Film
Right off the bat, there’s been an absence in Captain America related content within the Marvel landscape. With the exception of the Disney+ series Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and an appearance from Captain Carter in What If…? and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Captain America characters haven’t seen much screen time since Avengers: Endgame. Captain America: Brave New World marks not only the first Captain America film but is the first implementation of the Captain America franchise in Phase 5.
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It’s hard to believe that Captain America: Civil War was released all the way back in 2016, meaning that Brave New World comes almost a whole decade after the polarizing film. A major comeback is to be anticipated with the stakes being higher than ever for the determined Sam Wilson, who aims to honor the legacy of Steve Rogers but not be daunted by the standards employed by his predecessor.
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Potential Cameos Are an MCU Constant
It wouldn’t be a Marvel Film Without a Familiar Face or Two
Being one of the most extensive universes in pop culture, Marvel is constantly referencing its other works, often as a clever tie-in and reminder to fans of their sweeping presence. Before his death in 2018, Marvel legend Stan Lee made it a personal goal to star as many Marvel movies as possible, which included the entire MCU catalog from Iron Man in 2008 to Avengers: Endgame in 2019.
Though the days of Stan Lee’s cameos are unfortunately over, Marvel cameos are still a staple of the franchise, with the crowd favorite Deadpool and Wolverine reveling in how many iconic stars and characters were featured in the film, making for some truly epic moments for fans. Speculation has surrounded Bucky Barnes actor Sebastian Stan as a candidate for a Brave New World cameo, but nothing has been confirmed. In terms of new characters, fans are delighted to see Giancarlo Esposito bringing comic book villain Sidewinder to the big screen.
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High Stakes For Captain America and His Allies
The Summary for Brave New World Kicks Things Up a Notch
Captain America has always been a series inundated with urgency as we witness Cap and his team of heroes face off against national and global threats. Judging from the plot synopsis and trailer for Brave New World, this film is set on raising the stakes, designating this a more intense battle than any Captain America figure has dealt with before.
With Sam Wilson attempting to negotiate with President Thaddeus Ross, who has previously acted as an antagonistic force against the Avengers, things come to a head when Ross’s inner circle is suspected to be compromised. Previous Captain America films have traversed through a trove of twists and turns, so with the security of the president and the country on the line, major upheavals are bound to occur.
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More Dystopian Themes in the Wake of the Snap
A Timely Release as The World Deals With Unprecedented Events
Brave New World couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time as real-world conflict and strife is reaching an all-time high, leading many entertainment seekers to desire commentary within the media on these difficult times. In the aftermath of the 2024 election, political thrillers are projected to receive an increase in interest among audiences even from those who may usually flock towards less heavy films.
Brave New World‘s teaser trailer features a number of shocking sequences, including an attempt on President Ross’s life and the decimation of The White House. Centralizing an attack so close to home and discussions of political corruption may have alienated audiences at a less volatile time, but it seems especially pertinent now. How Brave New World incorporates these themes is yet to be seen, but the dystopian emphasis in the trailers is to be applauded.
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Expanding Phase 5 the Only Way Cap Knows How
Setting up Further Installments Through A Gripping Story
As mentioned, Brave New World is the first Captain America focused project in the MCU’s Phase 5. This is also the first Captain America film that enlists Sam Wilson, who previously held the title of Falcon, as Captain America since the passing of Steve Rogers. Brave New World also sees the return of Thaddeus Ross and in a more consolidated position of power than ever held before.
Thaddeus Ross was last seen in Black Widow in 2021 where he pursues Natasha Romanoff before she valiantly escapes. Fans are wondering what exactly transpired to land Ross in the most coveted governmental role in America and what it means for the future of Captain America’s public image as well as his allies.
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Hair-Raising Action Returns to the Franchise
The Fight Scenes in The Trailers are Enough to Deliver Chills
The Captain America series is no stranger to outrageous action sequences and eloquently-choreographed fights. The Brave New World trailer, however, contains multiple occasions that’ll have you gripping onto your seat. From Sam bracing himself before jumping through glass to using the new Captain America’s suit’s wings to slice through a car, the action in this film just might top its contemporaries.
For fans who might fear that the updated suit might distract Sam from realizing the impact of the signature shield, don’t worry, there are plenty of scenes in the trailer that see the utilization of the shield. If anything, the combining of the classic Captain America colors with the technicalities of Falcon’s suit will create more opportunities for ground-breaking fights. One instance in the trailer even shows Sam throwing the shield into planes mid-flight, a truly enthralling tactic.
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Harrison Ford Takes the Reins as Thaddeus Ross
A Better Recast Couldn’t Have Been Made
When Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt passed away in 2022, the film community mourned the loss of a trailblazing figure. Marvel fans were also wondering if Hurt’s role as Thaddeus Ross would be taken over or if the MCU would retire the character. Ross’s placement within the MCU has been inconsistent, first appearing in The Incredible Hulk in 2008 as an opposing force to Bruce Banner.
Ross didn’t reappear until 2016 in Captain America: Civil War, where he introduced the Sokovia Accords, rupturing the stability of the Avengers. Since Civil War, Ross has not had a prominent role which is another reason fans believed the character would be erased from the MCU. October 2022 reinvigorated fans with the announcement that Harrison Ford would be playing the now-President Ross, a surprising shift for the character. Ford’s eclectic filmography coupled with his status as an impenetrable fortress of Hollywood designates him as the perfect person to take on the role.
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Sam Wilson Makes His Cinematic Captain America in a Film
Perhaps The Best Decision Made for The Captain America Storyline
While Steve Rogers’s story may have ended rather disappointingly, it catalyzed the beginning of Sam Wilson’s acquiring of the sacred title of Captain America. Through his noble efforts and commitment to integrity displayed in the other Captain America films and Falcon and The Winter Soldier, no one was more equipped to carry the shield.
Even when hit with the intimidating “You may be Captain America, but you’re not Steve Rogers,” from Thaddeus Ross in the Brave New World trailer, Sam replies only with a hardened, “You’re right, I’m not.” A chilling encounter for fans to witness, its equally awe-inducing seeing Sam finally take ownership of the role and make it his own. Not to mention, the new suit is an outstanding fusion of everything that makes both Captain America and Falcon so integral to the MCU.
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The MCU Embraces a Political Setting
This Film Isn’t Shying Away From Captain America’s Roots
Captain America has always been an inherently political series. The first film, Captain America: The First Avenger, takes place in the middle of World War II and discusses patriotism, propaganda, and the repercussions of too much power through a comprehensive perspective. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the second film in the series, focuses on large-scale corruption and dissects who can really be trusted, a common plotline surrounding many political dramas.
The series crescendos with the third film, Captain America: Civil War as Captain America pushes back against the institutions that tried to control him all the way back in the first film, fighting for individual advocacy and against the limitations outlined in the Sokovia Accords. Brave New World is proudly continuing this trajectory by exposing audiences to the inner workings of the MCU U.S. Government, a fascinating concept, especially when contextualized against real-world events.
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The Red Hulk Will Finally Appear in the MCU
Red Hulk’s Debut Has Been a Long Time Coming
A vicious force in the comics, Red Hulk was a character fans weren’t sure would ever make it into the MCU. Announced alongside the teaser trailer at the D23 Expo in July, Red Hulk’s reveal as Brave New World‘s villain sparked a cataclysmic level of hype within the Marvel fandom. Though the character is relatively recent within the Marvel canon, first appearing in 2008, his presence as a formidable threat is not to be understated.
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The trailers have kept Red Hulk’s screentime brief, as not to spoil the fun for when the film releases, but what has been seen of him so far has only heightened the outpour of reactions and theories from fans. Unlike other entries in the MCU timeline that overcompensate for the sloppy writing of previous films, Brave New World feels like the climax the entire Captain America series has been building to. Red Hulk’s introduction being the most provocative factor surrounding the films release easily showcases that that’s what fans are most looking forward to.
