Captain America: Brave New World shakes things up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), ushering in major political and personal shifts for key characters. Here’s a breakdown of the plot and what we can expect for future MCU films:
The movie dives into the tense political landscape surrounding President Thaddeus Ross, revealing his past ties to the Hulk and Abomination’s destructive battle in Harlem. Despite this past, Ross still secures the presidency. However, his reign takes a dark turn when Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, manipulates events behind the scenes, pushing Ross into a dangerous situation where he transforms into Red Hulk in front of the world. This catastrophic event destroys the White House, and Ross is subsequently imprisoned at the Raft.
Sam Wilson, now Captain America, discovers that Ross’s pills, which were meant to stabilize his gamma radiation, are actually making him more vulnerable to future transformations. As Ross grapples with his new condition, the film ends with his removal from office and imprisonment, though it’s left unclear who becomes the next president—likely the Vice President. Meanwhile, an international treaty concerning adamantium is signed, easing global tensions.
In a major plot twist, The Leader (Sterns) is revealed to be the mastermind behind the chaos, manipulating international conflicts and tarnishing Captain America’s reputation. His ultimate goal is revenge on Ross and Falcon. However, Captain America successfully stops Sterns’ plot, capturing him in the process. In a post-credits scene, Sterns ominously warns of a multiversal clash that could impact the entire MCU, setting up future events like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The movie also explores Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America. He takes action to clear the name of Isaiah Bradley, who was wrongfully imprisoned, and vows to reassemble the Avengers. While Sam doesn’t always see eye to eye with Ross, he acknowledges the necessity of a unified team. This leads to hints that a new lineup of Avengers could include familiar faces like Ant-Man, Bucky Barnes, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Shang-Chi, and Daredevil—and possibly Deadpool, Wolverine, and the Fantastic Four as threats from the multiverse loom large.
The story also introduces Sidewinder, hired by Sterns, who engages in multiple intense battles with Captain America. After being captured, he offers intel on Sterns in exchange for immunity, but Captain America refuses, sending him to prison instead. The film ends with a potential threat from the Serpent Society and a hint that Sidewinder will play a role in future MCU projects.
With the multiverse threatening everything, Captain America: Brave New World sets the stage for an exciting and expansive future for the MCU, with new alliances and conflicts shaping the road ahead.