Captain America: Brave New World will need to answer some important questions concerning not only Sam Wilson but also the state of the MCU at large.

Captain America: Brave New World will need to answer some important questions regarding not only the new Captain America (Anthony Mackie), but also the MCU at large. Having been delayed with an early 2025 release date as opposed to 2024, there’s still quite a bit of time before audiences see Sam Wilson in his own movie as the MCU timeline’s next Star Spangled Man. Regardless, some clear questions already exist which the upcoming MCU movie will hopefully answer.

While exact plot details have yet to be officially confirmed, the movie’s subtitle Brave New World suggests that Captain America and the MCU will be facing a significant change to the status quo. Likewise, major characters are confirmed to be involved such as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross who will now be played by Harrison Ford. To that end, here are some of the biggest questions Captain America: Brave New World will need to answerwhen the new movie releases in 2025.

10Has Sam Wilson Been Accepted As Captain America?

How Does The World View The New Cap?

As established in Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson was well aware that not everyone would be willing to accept a black man as Captain America. Rather than letting that affect his decision to wield the shield given to him by Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson has chosen to fight and serve as best he can, regardless of any negative perception that might get thrown his way in the future. As such, it will be interesting to see whether there has been an increase in acceptance of Sam Wilson and his new role in the MCU or if he will still be facing clear struggles with the public as Captain America.

9When Did Ross Become The MCU’s US President?

What Happened To Ritson?

It’s been confirmed that former General Ross turned Secretary of State will be the next US president in Brave New World. It will be interesting to learn what kind of platform Ross ran on, especially considering his past hunting down Bruce Banner’s Hulk and running point on the United Nations’ Sokovia Accords as seen in Captain America: Civil War. Likewise, the current US president in the MCU was President Ritson who in Secret Invasion’s ending passed an emergency bill declaring extraterrestrials on Earth as enemy combatants. As such, Ross becoming the next US President will hopefully provide some background about how Ritson’s term ended.

8Why Does Ross Have Such A Big Role And Will He Become Red Hulk?

Is Ross Getting His Biggest Comics Story?

The fact that the late William Hurt has been recast with a star as big as Harrison Ford presumably speaks to the size of the role Ross will have in Brave New World. Keeping that in mind, rumors have persisted that Ross could finally receive one of his biggest arcs from the comics where he’s transformed into the Red Hulk in a bid to take down the Incredible Hulk once and for all. Combined with the confirmation that Ross will be the next US President in the MCU, it stands to reason that Ross will be positioned to have a sizable role in the new film.

Likewise, it’s also been confirmed Liv Tyler will be reprising her role as Ross’ daughter Betty who hasn’t been seen since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk 15 years ago. This further speaks to the idea that Ross will be a major player in Brave New World. Furthermore, the MCU could finally make “Thunderbolt” the originator of the Thunderbolts, an idea that makes perfect sense but isn’t actually part of the original comics’ continuity.

7What Are Val’s Plans For The Thunderbolts?

Will Brave New World Set Up The Next MCU Team-Up Movie?

As the next US President in the MCU, the Thunderbolts could be formed on Ross’ orders with the CIA’s director Valentina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) running point on recruitment as she already has been in previous MCU projects such as Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Hawkeye. Releasing in 2025 only a few months after Brave New World, it follows that Thunderbolts will be set up in some fashion in the previous film. With the Thunderbolts being a government-run team who will likely be able to go and do what the Avengers can’t perhaps the Thunderbolt with be a direct result of this “Brave New World” that will be established.

6Where Has The Incredible Hulk’s Leader Been?

Samuel Sterns Could Lead To Red Hulk…

Alongside Liv Tyler’s return as Betty Ross, Tim Blake Nelson is also coming back to the MCU after 15 years to reprise his role as Samuel Sterns. In his attempt to cure Bruce Banner and his role in creating the Abomination, some of Banner’s blood fell onto Sterns’ head which immediately began mutating him, teasing his transformation into the classic comics villain known as the Leader. However, Sterns hasn’t been seen since The Incredible Hulk. With any luck, Brave New World will reveal where The Leader has been all this time. Likewise, Sterns involvement does support a Red Hulk live-action debut considering the villains’ role in Ross’ transformation on the page.

5Where The Hell Is Bucky?

Why Isn’t He Still Working With Sam?

Although Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes joined forces in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sebastian Stan has not been confirmed to reprise his role as Bucky in Brace New World. While he will be helping lead the Thunderbolts, the hope would be that Brave New World will offer some explanation for Bucky’s absence in the new film, or even a brief cameo setting up his own movie that’s set to release in the summer of 2025.

4Is Captain America Part Of A New Avengers Team?

Will He Start The New Team of Heroes?

Ever since Avengers: Endgame, the status of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes has been left quite ambiguous. Not only is there no known official roster in the current MCU, but it’s also unclear who is in charge or will lead the next iteration of the Avengers. While some have speculated that Sam Wilson could lead the New Avengers, it will be very interesting to see if Brave New World can shed light on the subject as well as Sam’s stance on leading a team of heroes ahead of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.

3What’s Going On With The Giant Celestial Head?

Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About Tiamut?

One of the biggest MCU questions has been the status of the giant Celestial head and hand The Eternals left in the Indian Ocean in their 2021 movie. Apart from a very minimal Tiamut reference in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, it seems as though the world has simply been ignoring the massive change that seemed to have been permanent after Sersei turned the emerging Celestial into stone. As such, it’s been rumored that Brave New World’s plot may involve the Celestial remains which may hold valuable resources sought after by the various nations of the world. At any rate, the MCU needs to meaningfully address the giant head soon.

2Why Is Captain America 4 Called Brave New World?

What Does It Mean For The Greater MCU?

Brave New World also needs to justify its title. Why is this new Captain America movie ushering in a new era for the MCU, and what does that entail? Given the role of President Ross and the new Captain America, perhaps the changes will be on a more geopolitical level, such as how the world interacts and deals with superheroes in general. At any rate, it will be very exciting to see what this “Brave New World” for the MCU actually looks like.

1Why Does Captain America Get To Keep His Vibranium?

Will Wakanda Have A Problem With Sam In Cap 4?

It’s notable that both Captain America’s shield and new suit are made from vibranium courtesy of Wakanda. This could perhaps become problematic in Captain America: Brave New World considering the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with other nations engaging in clandestine operations to steal vibranium for themselves. Considering a collection of set photos featuring Sam Wilson wearing a new suit apart from the vibranium-made wings and suit seen in Falcon and the Winter Soldier, perhaps Wakanda will be looking to reclaim what was given to another nation’s representative superhero.