It's been almost six years since the Avengers disbanded after defeating Thanos and losing Tony Stark. The world's need for its mightiest heroes is undeniable, and with new Avengers movies scheduled for 2026 and 2027, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) must swiftly reassemble its team. The journey to bring the Avengers back starts with the upcoming film, Captain America: Brave New World.
"We know people miss the Avengers and we miss the Avengers," says Nate Moore, a seasoned producer at Marvel Studios and a key figure in the production of the fourth Captain America film. "But we knew if we jumped right back into the Avengers after Endgame, we wouldn't give people a chance to miss it."
Moore emphasizes that the most iconic Avengers teams in Marvel comics have always been anchored by Captain America. After Steve Rogers passed the shield to Sam Wilson in Avengers: Endgame, the MCU dedicated time to develop Wilson into a leader worthy of the mantle. The transition was not easy for Wilson, as explored in the six-part Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. By the time of Brave New World, Wilson confidently dons the Captain America costume. Yet, his next challenge is even more formidable: leading the new Avengers team.
A pre-release marketing clip for Brave New World reveals that President Ross, now portrayed by Harrison Ford following the passing of William Hurt, approaches Wilson to revive the Avengers project. This might surprise long-term fans, given Ross's history with the Sokovia Accords, which led to the Avengers' division. However, Julius Onah, the director of Brave New World, explains Ross's change of heart: "He was a guy who had this real legacy that could maybe be defined by his anger. But the man that we're meeting now is an elder statesman, a diplomat, who's turning a new leaf, who sees and understands the errors of his past and wants to do better. He wants to initiate the Avengers because they could be a benefit to the world."
As a general, Ross understands tactical advantages. He doesn't intend to recreate the Avengers as they were but to integrate them into the US defense department, especially since Captain America is now an official government role. Moore adds, "Ross is the man who passed the Sokovia Accords. He certainly realized that the Avengers left unchecked may not be the best idea for anyone. And so I certainly think he understands that power is more beneficial to him if it's under his command, and he figures why not do it first before somebody beats me to the punch."
President Ross's interest in reassembling the Avengers might be driven by the discovery of a world-changing substance. The Celestial turned to stone at the end of Eternals is revealed to be a source of Adamantium, Marvel's most renowned super metal and a valuable alternative to Wakanda's Vibranium. With nations poised for an Adamantium arms race, having superheroes on your side becomes a strategic necessity.
"I think certainly any nation that has a group of Avengers has a leg up over anyone else," Moore states. "And Ross is a general, so certainly he understands what a tactical advantage is!"
How Sam Wilson/Falcon Became Captain America in the Comics
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The underlying motives behind the new Avengers team suggest that the relationship between President Ross and Sam Wilson's Captain America may be fraught with tension. Steve Rogers was staunchly against government control, and Wilson has strived to embody those values. Onah elaborates on the emotional journey Wilson undertakes: "It was really cool to then put him opposite somebody who had divided the Avengers in the past. Because of that history, Sam was put into prison. The Sokovia Accords, all the stuff that Ross pushed forward as Secretary of State came into play. These are things that when these two men walk into a room, that tension between them is palpable."
It's possible that Sam Wilson might not be the leader President Ross envisions. The 2025 MCU project, Thunderbolts, could hold the key, featuring a team of anti-heroes led by John Walker, who briefly took up the Captain America mantle in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Perhaps Walker and his team will become the President's Avengers, fitting Ross's nickname, Thunderbolt.
If that scenario unfolds, Wilson could form his own independent team, perfectly timed for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in 2026's Avengers: Doomsday. Regardless of the specifics, Brave New World marks the next phase in Wilson's journey from shield-bearer to Avengers leader. Onah shares his enthusiasm for preparing Wilson for what lies ahead: "Historically the Avengers have been led by a Captain America, and Sam Wilson is very much so a worthy one. But part of telling this story is also reinforcing, illustrating, and dramatizing for an audience: why [is he worthy]?"
Onah attributes Wilson's worthiness to his empathy, which he considers the character's superpower. Despite being just a man with a shield and mechanical wings, Wilson's ability to understand the perspectives of allies and enemies enables him to effectively wield the shield and embody its values. "I think that's what makes him a Captain America of this moment," Onah remarks.
Moore adds, "I don't think Sam would be prepared to lead the Avengers until he truly believed that he was Captain America. And our goal as filmmakers was to take him on a journey of questioning whether or not he made the right decision. Hopefully by the end, [we’ll have] him and the audience go 'There certainly could be no one else'. He is Captain America, and hopefully he takes the tools from this movie to be able to lead the Avengers."
With only two movies separating us from Avengers: Doomsday after Brave New World, Wilson must act quickly. He is likely to appear in both Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps to recruit his team before the 2026 event. While this is a shorter buildup than the five films leading to 2012's The Avengers, characters like Spider-Man, Thor, and Bruce Banner might be ready to answer the call. The reassembly of Avengers 2.0 begins with Captain America: Brave New World.
