Captain America: Brave New World is one of the most anticipated films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is Sam Wilson’s first standalone movie, pitting him against Thaddeus Ross’ Red Hulk, played by veteran actor Harrison Ford. Sam has made several appearances in the MCU, beginning with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Marvel released a new trailer just three months away ahead of its release in theatres. The latest trailer for Captain America: Brave New World gave us a more extensive look at Ross’ transformation into the Red Hulk outside the White House.
The movie, one of the three Marvel films hitting theatres next year, will see Sam finding himself in a political conspiracy as Ross becomes the elected President. Captain America: Brave New World will also feature other characters familiar with the MCU, such as Liv Tyler and Tim Blake Nelson. Both actors will reprise their roles from The Incredible Hulk, the MCU’s second-ever film in Phase 1. Additionally, the movie is expected to have callbacks to previous MCU projects and plot points, which many fans felt were forgotten.
Captain America: Brave New World Reshoots
Wilson was last seen in The Falcon & The Winter Solider in 2021, but we won’t have to wait too long for his standalone debut film. Initially, Brave New World was set to release on May 3, with this date moving to July 26. However, the film was delayed for several months due to the writers’ strike. Afterward, the film was moved to February 14, its official release date. The movie was retitled Brave New World after Marvel had previously announced the movie as Captain America: New World Order. The title was changed due to the backlash of the phrase, which extremists have used to spread conspiracy theories.
Brave New World will be followed by Thunderbolts*, which will conclude Phase 5 on May 2, 2025. Despite the hype, the movie has had some turbulent times. According to Marvel leaker Daniel Rtichman, Marvel called for Brave New World to undergo more reshoots after a negative reception of its test screenings. The news was posted on his Patreon account, which users can join for free. Also, the film was hit with some controversy over its inclusion of Sabra (whose name has been changed for today’s audience), played by Shira Hass.
Two different cuts of the movie have already been screened, and some people who have seen the screenings described the movie as “flat” and “inessential.” Due to the negative test scores of early screenings, there were other reshoots in August. Filming concluded in June 2023 and was set for July 26, which ended up being the Deadpool & Wolverine release date. Others criticized the action, so some reshoots focused on some major action sequences. Of course, any leak should be taken with a grain of salt. Reshoots are typically par the course for any movie; sometimes, they are part of the process.
Sometimes, reshoots are necessary to improve shots or protect plot points from being leaked online. Matthew Orton was hired by Marvel to write the additional material and scenes. The movie has already undergone extensive reshoots, with Giancarlo Esposito joining the cast during shooting this past summer. For example, set photos of Deadpool and Wolverine were leaked online. It got so bad that Ryan Reynolds voiced his disappointment on social media. Hugh Jackman in Wolverine’s classic yellow and blue suit and the cameo appearance of Tyler Mane’s Sabretooth were also leaked online.
Captain America: Brave New World Teased Massive Showdown
The latest trailer for the movie shows Anthony Mackie reprising his role as Wilson, Ford as U.S. President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon, Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder, Live Tyler as Betty Ross, Tim Blake as Nelson The Leader, Haas as Sabra. Mackie took over the Cap mantle from Chris Evans’ Steve Rodgers, who starred in his three standalone films and the four Avengers films. Steve had a touching farewell to his fellow heroes and went back in time to spend a new life with his love interest, Peggy Carter. He gave his shield to Sam, who commits to do right by the well-known hero
. Sam suited up as Cap in the Disney+TV series The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. In that show, Sam teamed up with Steve’s best friend, Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (played by Sabastian Stan), to take down a group of radical terrorists. The series received much praise from critics and audiences alike. Additionally, the series earned five Emmy nominations. Captain America: Brave New World follows Ross, making a compelling offer to Sam in the White House. Ross wants Captain America to be a U.S. agent. Sam is pretty skeptical, but before he can decide, Sam must stop a would-be assassin at the White House.
Samvisits one of the first supersoldiers, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), in prison after attacking the president. Isaiah warns Sam to be careful, although he doesn’t seem to remember the attack. The trailer sets up a lot of tension, using split-screen themes to build up the reveal of Ross’ Red Hulk. The movie seems to have a lot more to the story. However, the trailer may leave us feeling like it’s a “Sam fights the Red Hulk.” The intensity of the latest trailer shows us that Sam will have his hands full with a seemingly deep global conspiracy. Brave New World is the first MCU movie for 2025, which will be followed by Thunderbolts* and Fantastic Four: First Steps.
According to the official description, “Sam Wilson, who, after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He has to discover what’s behind the nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.” Despite more footage, there still isn’t an explanation about Tiamut, the giant being from 2021’s Eternals. It remains to be seen what role his being will play in Captain America: Brave New World. The end of the trailer gave us a bigger glimpse of Red Hulk and what he’s capable of while showing him face-to-face with Sam.
Final Thoughts
Despite the reshoots and the alleged negative test scores, Captain America: Brave New World has some promise teasing its high-political thriller. Setting up elements of political intrigue and global stakes with suspenseful tones could be a big plus for the film. While the movie shares its blockbuster action, it shows how much Sam will need his smarts as much as his strength. “You can’t trust anyone,” Joaquin Torres says in the middle of the trailer. In another sequence, a voice says, “Captain America, you have to ask yourself, who is playing who?” That statement alone implies that fans will see a political game of cat-and-mouse.
Could there be even more reshoots? Maybe, but with Brave New World three months away from release, one could assume that Marvel is actively pushing to lock the movie down soon. Captain America: Brave New World stars Anthony Mackie, Shira Haas, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison Ford, and Giancarlo Esposito. Julis Onah is the director, while Kevin Feige and Nat Moore are the film’s producers. Charles Nerwith and Louis D’Esposito are the movie’s executive producers. Captain America: Brave New World opens in theatres on February 14, 2025. The MCU will have a busy 2025 as Brave New World will be followed by Thunderbolts* and Fantastic Four: First Steps.
