Disney Has No Choice, Confirms Cut of ‘Captain America Brave New World’

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) moves forward with Captain America: Brave New World, fans are excited to see Sam Wilson’s first solo outing as the new Captain America. The film, which stars Anthony Mackie, will explore Sam’s role as a leader, his relationship with Isaiah Bradley, and an international conspiracy that threatens to shake the world.

But as the movie approaches its February 14, 2025, release date, one unexpected revelation has left fans disappointed: a key Young Avenger has been removed from the final cut.

Eli Bradley: A Missing Young Avenger

Eli Bradley, played by Elijah Richardson, made his MCU debut in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as the grandson of Isaiah Bradley. In the comics, Eli becomes Patriot, a prominent member of the Young Avengers. Many fans expected Brave New World to expand on Eli’s character, potentially setting up his transformation into Patriot. However, producer Nate Moore has now confirmed that Eli has been removed from the film.

“There were early drafts of the script where Eli was in it, but we started to feel like there were too many characters to track,” Moore stated in a recent interview. He explained that the decision was made to focus on Isaiah Bradley’s mentorship of Sam Wilson, ensuring that their relationship could develop without extra distractions.

While Moore described it as a “tough decision,” the choice has upset many fans, especially those who were hoping for a stronger push toward the Young Avengers storyline.

Why Fans Are Upset About the Cut

Since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier introduced Eli Bradley in 2021, many viewers assumed he was being set up for a larger role in the MCU. Unlike other Young Avengers—such as Kate Bishop, America Chavez, and Cassie Lang—Eli has remained on the sidelines. Fans argue that Brave New World would have been the perfect film to give him a proper introduction.

Additionally, some have questioned why Eli was removed when other characters remain in the film. One of the more controversial additions to Brave New World is Ruth Bat-Seraph, a character inspired by Marvel’s Israeli superhero Sabra. Given the backlash surrounding Sabra’s inclusion, some fans feel that if Marvel needed to trim the cast, Eli should have been prioritized over her.

“Marvel really cut Eli Bradley but kept Sabra? Make it make sense,” one fan posted on social media.

Will Eli Bradley Return to the MCU?

Even though Eli won’t appear in Brave New World, his MCU story may not be over. Given that Marvel has slowly introduced multiple Young Avengers, it’s still possible that Eli will show up in a future film or Disney+ series. Some speculate he could be part of Thunderbolts (2025), or that Marvel may eventually move forward with a dedicated Young Avengers project.

However, Eli’s absence in Brave New World raises concerns about how Marvel is prioritizing its characters. If he does return, will he be given the development he deserves, or will he continue to be overshadowed?

For now, fans will have to wait and see. Captain America: Brave New World releases in theaters on February 14, 2025.