After the multiverse hijinks of 2024’s Deadpool and Wolverine, the MCU’s next instalment aims to be a relatively grounded tale, diving into the underworld of world of politics and espionage.
Captain America: Brave New World finds new Captain America Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in the middle of a conspiracy involving an international incident, and the framing of Sam’s friend Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly). His old ally Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) is also swept up in the Machiavellian madness.
Sam must form an uneasy alliance with frenemy and recently elected President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) to reveal the architects behind this plot and clear Bradley’s name. Will they prevail, or will the villainous machinations of this new world order tear Captain America and the world asunder?
With the film releasing on February 13 (just in time for a romantic Valentine’s date), here are three big reasons you should be excited about Cap’s next Marvellous adventure!
IRRADIATED CHAOS
General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross of the United States Military, originally played by the late great William Hurt, was introduced as a major antagonist in The Incredible Hulk. He is responsible for Bruce Banner’s endeavours to recreate the Super Solider Serum, which went horribly wrong and Gamma-charged Banner into The Hulk.
Perhaps it’s fate, dumb luck or karma that Ross will be bulking up in his own Gamma-fuelled transformation. As revealed in the trailers, the Red Hulk will be making his first MCU appearance. For those unfamiliar with ol’ Red, his radioactive powers differ from the jolly green giant we are used to. For example, Red Hulk produces heat from his skin, so the angrier he gets, the hotter he becomes. Things will literally heat up when Ross’ temper blows up, so Cap better watch out!
If that wasn’t exciting enough, there’s another returning character from 2008’s Incredible Hulk. Tim Blake Nelson returns as Samuel Sterns, better known to fans as ‘The Leader’, a major Hulk and Avengers antagonist from the comics. It would be extremely unwise for Cap and his allies to underestimate this villainous mastermind. His role in the plot has been kept under wraps, and, as If things weren’t dire enough, he’s not the only mastermind in town…
SLIPPERY MOTIVES
Remember when Kevin Feige teased a third Cap instalment entitled Captain America: Serpent Society in 2014 before officially announcing Captain America: Civil War minutes after? The Serpent Society is finally slithering into the MCU, with legendary Giancarlo Esposito as its cold-blooded leader, Seth Voelker aka Sidewinder!
The Serpent Society is nothing to hiss at in the comics. They operate like a labour union for hardworking reptile-enthusiastic bad guys (even crime doesn’t pay well enough). Their elite clientele includes Kingpin, the Maggia, A.I.M. and Hydra, and they have fought against Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Spider-Man, and Nomad on many occasions. Too bad the hazard pay doesn’t cover all the medical expenses incurred on the job – keep the supervillains honest!
Who knows what motives Esposito’s Sidewinder has, but let’s hope he brings Diamondback, Viper, Eel, Cobra and the rest of the Serpent Society into action!
BEHIND THE SHIELD
Though the film’s plot has been tightly guarded, the cast of BNW teased what to expect in an interview with Entertainment Weekly at SDCC last year. Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Ramirez and Tim Blake Nelson were present.
Esposito started the interview by explaining what attracted him to Sidewinder, “I like it because he’s a complicated guy who didn’t start in a nefarious way. He came to this in a different way, which hopefully will unfold.”
Esposito continued, “He’s a physical guy. He’s got to go toe-to-toe with his physicality, and he knows how to use the tools of his trade. So, he’s someone who plays against some of the things in the comic that you may think could be true.”
“Brave New World is a great title for this film… it’s a new beginning,” Mackie explained. “It’s a foundation on which Marvel will build the universe. All the characters are new foundation building blocks for us to utilise.”
“What I was excited about was to work with these actors, to make scenes that had complexity, drama and humour,” said Ford. “These guys all do that well. I had the best time. I have seen other actors in the Marvel Universe, well-respected, good actors, have a really good time. I said, ‘I want me some of that,’ and I got some.”
Brave New World promises new revelations and twists that will shake the MCU to its core. Get ready for the next phase of storytelling and mystery when Brave New World hits cinemas in February!