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Everything You Need To Know Before Watching ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers may have passed the shield onwards but the weight of being Captain America is heavier than ever. Captain America: Brave New World marks Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) first solo outing as the Star-Spangled Avenger, stepping into a role that comes with both expectations and controversy. No longer just the Falcon, Sam now faces global conflicts, political tensions, and moral dilemmas that even vibranium wings can’t simply fly him away from. With returning allies including Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez, Top Gun: Maverick) and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly, Doctor Sleep), and a government that may not fully have his back, the new Captain America is in for the fight of his life.

And Sam isn’t the only one making a return as Captain America: Brave New World is bringing back characters from all corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including some unexpected one from The Incredible Hulk (2008). After years of absence, now-President Thaddeus Ross, is stepping back into the spotlight. With Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) taking over the role of Ross from the late William Hurt (Syriana, Vantage Point), the film points to deeper political machinations, raising questions about whether Sam can trust those in power. Meanwhile, a newly discovered material – adamantium – has the potential to reshape the balance of power in the MCU, and not everyone is playing fair when it comes to claiming it.

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With Sam stepping into Steve Rogers’ old role, he’s also inheriting some of his toughest dilemmas, especially when it comes to trusting authority. Throw in a high-stakes attack at the Celestial Island Summit and the re-emergence of secret programmes designed to control super-soldiers, and suddenly, wielding the shield feels a lot more dangerous than it used to. But before you witness Sam soar into action against a world on the brink of chaos, take a moment to refresh your memory. Consider this your crash course in all things Captain America: Brave New World, a guide to the essential knowledge that will enhance your viewing experience and prepare you for the next chapter in the MCU saga.


1) Anthony Mackie takes up the shield as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, in his first solo film since accepting the mantle passed on by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) after the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), and following those of Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).

Everything You Need To Know Before Watching 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Steve Rogers may have handed Sam Wilson the shield in Avengers: Endgame (2019), but stepping into the role of Captain America has been anything but straightforward. The Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) explored Sam’s initial reluctance to take up the mantle, questioning whether America was ready for a Black Captain America and whether he even wanted to represent a country with such a complicated history. After witnessing the failures of John Walker (who was government-appointed as Captain America but let power and vengeance consume him) Sam ultimately reclaimed the shield and forged his own path.

Captain America: Brave New World picks up after the series and for Sam, taking on the shield means stepping into a symbol that has defined American heroism for generations. Steve had the luxury of starting his journey in a more straightforward era of good versus evil, but Sam exists in a world far more politically divided. Moreover, no super-soldier serum runs through Sam’s veins, and his strength doesn’t come from enhanced abilities, but instead comes from his unwavering belief in doing what’s right. Captain America: Brave New World dives into the challenges of leading as Captain America while also navigating the agendas of those in power. Ross wants Sam to rebuild the Avengers, but given his past with the Sokovia Accords and Walker’s disastrous tenure as Cap, trusting the government is not a simple decision. 


2) Sam faces a global threat connected to the Super Soldier programme and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), forcing him to confront his own legacy as Captain America and battle powerful enemies, including the Serpent Society, The Leader, and the Red Hulk.

After Steve Rogers, there was Isaiah Bradley, a victim of secret experiments by the US government to recreate, not entirely successfully, the Super Soldier serum. Super soldier Isaiah Bradley’s past was filled with betrayal and suffering at the hands of the very government he served, and it seems history is repeating itself. After finally having his secret history publicly  recognised thanks to Sam, Isaiah should have been able to live in peace. Instead, Captain America: Brave New World throws him back into the fire when he becomes a central figure in an attack during the Celestial Island Summit. Somehow, he is “activated” in a way eerily similar to the Winter Soldier aka Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan, A Different Man) under Hydra’s control, raising questions about whether remnants of the Super Soldier programme are still manipulating those who were experimented on. Sam refuses to stand by and let Isaiah be used as a pawn yet again, setting him on a collision course with powerful forces that would rather keep the truth buried.

While Isaiah’s situation is personal, the global stakes are much bigger. The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson, O Brother, Where Art Thou?), one of the MCU’s longest-dormant villains, returns after his brief appearance in The Incredible Hulk (2008), and he’s not alone. The Serpent Society, a shadowy organisation from the comics, makes their live-action debut, led by Giancarlo Esposito’s (The Mandalorian) Sidewinder. Meanwhile, President Thaddeus Ross isn’t just sitting behind a desk. If the comics are any indication, his transformation into the Red Hulk could spell trouble for Sam in ways he never expected.


3) The Serpent Society, a group of villains with snake-themed powers, is led by Seth Voelker, a.k.a. Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito).

Everything You Need To Know Before Watching 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Seth Voelker, better known as Sidewinder, leads the Serpent Society, bringing a deadly new threat to the MCU. Unlike Hydra or the Flag Smashers, this organization isn’t driven by ideology or revenge, it’s a well-oiled criminal network that operates like a corporate empire, complete with benefits, structured leadership, and a mission to profit off chaos. 

Sidewinder’s teleportation ability makes him a formidable opponent, allowing him to slip in and out of danger before anyone can react. Played by Giancarlo Esposito, this version of the character may trade some of his comic book origins for a more grounded, tactical approach, but his cunning nature and leadership remain his greatest weapons. With Esposito in the role, Sidewinder is likely to be more than just a one-off antagonist – his ability to manipulate and outthink his opponents could make him a lasting force in the MCU, especially if Captain America: Brave New World lays the groundwork for larger criminal organisations to rise in future films.


4) The Leader/Samuel Sterns , a cellular biologist last seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk where he was exposed to the Hulk’s blood, is back with a vengeance and a terrifying plan.

Everything You Need To Know Before Watching 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Samuel Sterns has been lurking in the shadows of the MCU for over a decade, but Captain America: Brave New World finally brings him back as the Leader, one of Hulk’s most dangerous foes. Last seen in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Sterns was exposed to Bruce Banner’s blood, which caused his head to swell as he underwent a mysterious transformation. Unlike Banner, whose gamma exposure turned him into a physical powerhouse, Sterns’ mutation enhanced his intelligence to dangerous levels. That lingering tease from 16 years ago is finally paying off, and with Nelson reprising the role, the Leader is set to make his long-overdue return, and this time as the main villain of the film.

For Sam, dealing with a villain like the Leader is an entirely different challenge. Steve Rogers faced ideological enemies, cosmic threats, and corrupt government agencies, but Sam is up against someone whose greatest weapon is his mind. As the Leader weaves his plans around global politics, scientific advancements, and the emergence of new super-powered individuals, Sam has to navigate a battlefield where sheer strength won’t be enough.


5) Harrison Ford takes on the role of President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (after the late William Hurt), who undergoes a transformation into the Red Hulk.

Everything You Need To Know Before Watching 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Thaddeus Ross has always been a man who believes in control, order, and military strength, but Captain America: Brave New World may finally push him past the limits of what even he is willing to accept. Now serving as the President of the United States, Ross has more power than ever before, and with the discovery of adamantium, his ambitions are only growing. Throughout his time in the MCU, he has been a driving force behind government oversight on superhumans, first spearheading the Sokovia Accords and later clashing with the Avengers over their autonomy. But this time, his personal stakes are even higher. Whether he sees adamantium as a new tool for security or a means to keep superheroes in check, his vision for the future is bound to put him at odds with Sam, who has already witnessed what happens when those in power try to weaponise people like Isaiah Bradley.

Ross has always feared losing control, but that fear may lead him to take a drastic step: one that transforms him into the very kind of being he has fought against for years. In the comics, his desperation to match the Hulk’s strength eventually leads to his transformation into Red Hulk, a monstrous form that grants him incredible power while still allowing him to retain his intelligence. With the Leader lurking in the shadows, it’s likely that Ross’ shift into Red Hulk won’t be entirely of his own making. The Leader has a history of manipulating gamma mutations, and if he sees Ross as a tool for his own agenda, the President may find himself turned into something he can’t control.

Everything You Need To Know Before Watching 'Captain America: Brave New World'

A confrontation between Sam and Red Hulk would be unlike anything seen in previous Captain America films. Steve Rogers never had to go toe-to-toe with a Hulk, but Sam, without super-soldier strength, will have to find a way to take down a raging, unstoppable force. Joaquin Torres, the new Falcon, will likely be by his side, but even with advanced technology, taking on a Hulk is no small task. If Ross loses himself in the transformation, it could also put his political future, and the entire country, into jeopardy. 


6) Expect to see some familiar and new faces, including Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) stepping up as the new Falcon, and Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas), a former Black Widow as Ross’ Security Officer.

Everything You Need To Know Before Watching 'Captain America: Brave New World'

Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres is stepping up in a big way, officially taking on the mantle of the Falcon. First introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), Torres was a loyal ally to Sam Wilson, helping him track the Flag Smashers and offering technical support. By the end of the series, Sam left his old wing suit in Torres’ hands, a subtle but meaningful hint at his future. Now, with Sam fully embracing his role as Captain America, Torres is taking flight for the first time as the new Falcon. Unlike his comic counterpart, who gained supernatural abilities through genetic experiments, the MCU’s Torres follows in Sam’s footsteps, using technology and training to become a hero. His transition into the Falcon cements his role as Sam’s left-hand man, and their partnership is set to be one of the film’s key dynamics.

Alongside Torres’ debut as Falcon, Captain America: Brave New World introduces Ruth Bat-Seraph, played by Shira Haas (Bodies), as a high-ranking government agent with a complicated past. In the comics, Bat-Seraph is better known as Sabra, an Israeli superhero with enhanced abilities, but the MCU seems to be taking a different approach in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Here, she is a former Black Widow now serving as President Ross’ security officer, raising questions about her true allegiances. The Red Room’s brainwashing was supposedly eradicated after Black Widow (2021), but that doesn’t mean every Widow is free from the influence of their past. With her combat skills and intelligence training, Ruth could either be a valuable ally to Sam or another operative following Ross’ agenda, depending on where her loyalties lie.


7) The film will also introduce adamantium, a recurring element from the comics, into the MCU. It is the same indestructible material used to coat Wolverine’s skeleton and claws.

Adamantium’s arrival marks a major turning point for the MCU, introducing a metal that could rival vibranium in strength and significance. While vibranium has been central to Marvel’s worldbuilding (from Captain America’s shield to Wakanda’s technological advancements) adamantium has long been the missing piece, largely because its most famous connection, Wolverine, was tied up with Fox’s X-Men franchise. Now that Marvel Studios has regained full control over the X-Men, the time has finally come for adamantium to enter the picture. 

The discovery of adamantium ties back to Eternals (2021), revealing that the massive Celestial in the ocean is more than just an unexplained landmark. For years, fans wondered why no one in the MCU seemed particularly concerned about a giant stone-like figure protruding from the ocean, but this movie finally addresses its significance. The metal is being harvested from the Celestial’s remains, which raises all sorts of questions about its origins and properties. 

Its introduction signals a major shift in the MCU’s power balance, and if history is any indication, nations and corporations alike will be eager to claim it. The fact that this discovery is tied to global politics makes it even more dangerous – if vibranium caused geopolitical tensions in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), then adamantium could be the spark for an even greater arms race. Whether it remains in government hands or falls into the wrong ones, adamantium’s presence is bound to shake up the MCU in ways that haven’t been seen before.


8) Director Julius Onah has cited classic thrillers like The Day of the Jackal (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), the Pakula trilogy of Klute (1971), and The Parallax View (1974) as influences on the film’s tone and style. These are all movies about people trying to stay one step ahead of an investigation or an adversary.

Director Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox) is bringing a distinct vision to Captain America: Brave New World, drawing inspiration from some of the most gripping political thrillers ever made. “We looked at a number of different films. We had a conversation about The Day Of The Jackal (1973), and the Pakula trilogy of Klute (1971), All The President’s Men (1976), and The Parallax View (1974),” Onah said in an interview with Empire Magazine. These movies all centre around characters navigating high-stakes investigations, government conspiracies, and dangerous adversaries lurking in the shadows. 

A thriller-driven approach to Captain America isn’t new, but it’s one that has worked exceptionally well in the past. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) leaned heavily into espionage and political tension, making it one of the most well-received MCU films to date. Drawing from films known for their methodical pacing and paranoia-driven narratives suggests that Captain America: Brave New World won’t be a straightforward superhero movie but one where every conversation and decision carries weight.


As the first major MCU film of 2025, Captain America: Brave New World carries the weight of setting the tone for what’s next, and Sam’s journey as Captain America is just getting started. Stepping into Steve Rogers’ role was never going to be easy, but with a new Falcon by his side, returning allies, and a growing number of threats lurking in the shadows, Sam will have to prove why he’s the right person to carry the shield.