A New Shield in a Brave New World: The Story of Captain America’s Next Era.
Captain America: Brave New World marks a pivotal moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as Sam Wilson officially embraces the mantle of Captain America in a world grappling with uncertainty and global threats.
Plot & Tone.
Set two years after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) returns as Captain America. After meeting President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross—now portrayed by Harrison Ford—Captain America becomes embroiled in an international conspiracy. He must investigate a global plot involving sinister figures, including Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), while navigating political tension and personal identity. The film dives deeply into themes of legacy, mentorship, teamwork, and family unity, echoing the political thriller style of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Cast & Ensemble.
The feature ensemble includes:
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America
- Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross / Red Hulk
- Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres / Falcon
- Shira Haas as Sabra
- Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder
- Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore
Additional featured cast spans around a dozen or so, with previous MCU actors returning, such as Tim Blake Nelson reprising Samuel Sterns in a new capacity.
Direction & Creative Team.
- Director: Julius Onah, known for Luce and The Cloverfield Paradox.
- Screenwriters: Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, Julius Onah, and Peter Glanz, with story contributions from Spellman, Musson, and Edwards.
- Producers: Kevin Feige and Nate Moore at Marvel Studios .
- Cinematography: Kramer Morgenthau.
- Editing: Matthew Schmidt, Madeleine Gavin.
- Music Score: Composed by Laura Karpman, featuring heroic motifs for Wilson and Bradley, an Aaron Copland-inspired theme for Ross, and conspiracy-style suspense .
Box Office Performance.
According to Box Office Mojo, Captain America: Brave New World grossed $415,101,577 worldwide, comprising $200,500,001 domestically and $214,601,576 internationally. Its production budget was reported to be approximately $180 million While some sources suggest the film needed $425 million to break even when factoring in marketing costs .
The film opened strong in mid-February 2025 with a four-day weekend haul of around $100 million, including $88.8 million for the three-day weekend. However, it dropped 68% in its second weekend, marking one of the franchise’s steepest declines.
With a workload of $180 million, the film grossed $415.1 million worldwide, placing it as the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2025.
This ranks it among the quieter performers in recent MCU entries, specifically in line with the trend identified in Fantastic Four: First Steps—a decline in audience retention despite strong openings
Niche & Thematic Focus.
Brave New World adopts a political thriller tone, aligning more with The Winter Soldier than the typical superhero fare. Its emotional core centers on legacy and empathy—exploring how Sam Wilson carves out his identity in the weight of history and leadership.
Another standout aspect is the introduction of President Ross (Harrison Ford), who evolves into Red Hulk, adding both political intrigue and dramatic depth . The film also expands representation with characters like Sabra and Sidewinder, offering geopolitical and moral complexity.
Creative Niche: Political Thriller Meets Superhero Legacy.
Embracing a paranoid political thriller format similar to Winter Soldier, the film explores modern political anxiety through a superhero lens.
It underscores legacy and mentorship, positioning Sam Wilson as a symbolic bridge between Steve Rogers’ heroic ideals and a more complex world.
Representation expands, featuring strong Black leadership through Sam, mentor figures like Isaiah Bradley, and a powerful female presence in characters like Shira Haas’s security advisor.
The inclusion of Red Hulk introduces new superhero territory while linking back to MCU lore.
Critical Reception.
Rotten Tomatoes: 46% (critics), 76% (audience).
Critics found the film solid yet overstuffed, noting its emotional moments often overshadowed by excessive references to MCU lore.
Praised for action and performances, particularly Mackie and Ford, but described by some as feeling like “a movie with Captain America in it” rather than a standalone journey.
Final Thoughts.
Captain America: Brave New World delivers a compelling chapter in the MCU’s Phase Five. It gives depth to Sam Wilson’s evolution as Captain America, while reflecting on themes of identity, politics, and redemption. Though its box office and critical reception were more modest compared to blockbuster predecessors, the film remains an important exploration of Captain America’s legacy in a Brave, New World.
