After Almighty Set-Up, Marvel Seemingly Giving up on ‘Captain America’ Star
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World arrived this February as a pivotal moment for the franchise—but five months later, its legacy remains up in the air.
The film marked Anthony Mackie’s full-fledged leap into the role of Captain America after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Released on February 14, 2025, it was highly anticipated as the 35th entry in the MCU and the fourth chapter in the Captain America saga.
Julius Onah’s direction aimed to examine national responsibility and individual heroism through Sam Wilson’s journey. Yet despite a strong opening—$198 million globally in its first weekend—the movie capped out at $415 million and failed to ignite the franchise’s next phase.
Harrison Ford added star power in his first MCU appearance as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who transforms into Red Hulk. But even his inclusion couldn’t sidestep the production issues that followed the film for months: backlash, creative changes, and extensive reshoots.
The critical response was tepid. The Rotten Tomatoes score tells the story—46% from critics, compared to 76% from audiences.
Despite Ford’s prominent third-act appearance opposite Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross, he’s seemingly already bowing out.
Asked by Variety if Kevin Feige had approached him about continuing, Ford said simply, “Nope.” His one-word reply suggests his Marvel stint may have been a standalone effort, one aligned with Feige’s recent admission that the MCU is moving toward a timeline shift.
Ford’s departure underscores the selective continuity strategy Feige appears to be embracing. Not every character introduced since Avengers: Endgame will stick around.
However, Mackie’s Sam Wilson is not going anywhere. He’s expected to lead the next generation of Avengers.
One major reveal in Brave New World is the absence of the Avengers as an active unit. While Ross recruits Sam to rebuild the team, their disbandment post-Endgame has left a narrative void that Marvel is only beginning to address.
The revival effort is expected to culminate in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, to be directed by the Russo brothers. Their return to the franchise brings continuity, especially with Secret Wars also under their direction.
Feige framed Sam’s journey in Brave New World within that evolving context: “In Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson is Captain America, and he has made the decision to unabashedly become Captain America,” a press release stated. “But what does it mean to be Captain America when you’re not a super soldier, which we definitely know Sam Wilson is not, and in a world where the Avengers are not currently active?”
Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres seems eager to assist, hinting at broader plans in motion. Nate Moore added to that, saying to The Movie Report: “…there’s never been an Avengers movie where there’s not a Captain America at the center of it.”
The Phase Five closer, 2025’s Thunderbolts*, gives a different take on the team concept. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine christens her handpicked squad as the New Avengers, which includes Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Bob/Sentry.
Meanwhile, a post-credit scene confirms Sam Wilson’s team-building efforts are underway—positioning him as the leader of an alternate lineup.
Marvel’s most recent swing at revitalization comes via The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which introduces the classic foursome into the cinematic universe at last.
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach bring the roles of Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben to life under director Matt Shakman. The film became Marvel’s top performer of 2025 with a $218 million worldwide debut—$118 million from North America and $100 million abroad.
Joining the cast are Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal and Ralph Ineson as Galactus, giving the reboot a broader scope. The team is set to return in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, alongside Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.
Speaking with Variety, Feige acknowledged the MCU’s shifting direction: “Reboot is a scary word. Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline—we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next.”
The Russo Brothers backed that vision, referring to the next Avengers films as a new launch point rather than a continuation.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day lands in July 2026, while Franklin Richards is expected to be central to the MCU’s evolving future. With multiple narratives converging, Marvel is crafting a roadmap that doesn’t look like anything it’s done before.
Let us know what you think about the MCU’s evolving future in the comments. Are you ready for the reset?
