Six years after the Avengers disbanded following Thanos' defeat and Tony Stark's death, the world once again requires its mightiest heroes. With new Avengers films slated for 2026 and 2027, the MCU must swiftly reassemble the team. This crucial recruitment process begins in Captain America: Brave New World.

Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore explains the strategic delay in forming a new Avengers team after Endgame: "We knew if we jumped right back into the Avengers after Endgame, we wouldn't give people a chance to miss it." Moore emphasizes Captain America's central role in successful Avengers teams, highlighting the necessary development of Sam Wilson into a capable leader, a journey explored in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In Brave New World, Wilson confidently embraces the mantle of Captain America, but faces the formidable challenge of leading a new Avengers team.

A marketing clip reveals President Ross (Harrison Ford), succeeding the late William Hurt, tasks Wilson with restarting the Avengers initiative. This might surprise fans, considering Ross's role in creating the Sokovia Accords. Director Julius Onah clarifies Ross's evolution: "The man that we're meeting now is an elder statesman, a diplomat…who sees and understands the errors of his past and wants to do better." Ross's strategic understanding motivates his decision to reassemble the Avengers as a global asset.

This Avengers team will differ significantly from its predecessor. Captain America's official government role, directly under the President, positions the team as a branch of the US defense department. Moore explains Ross's motives: "He certainly realized that the Avengers left unchecked may not be the best idea…he figures why not do it first before somebody beats me to the punch."

Sam Wilson's Captain America Journey in the Comics

11 ImagesThe potential conflict between Ross and Wilson's ideologies suggests a complex partnership. Wilson's commitment to Steve Rogers' anti-government stance contrasts sharply with Ross's actions. Onah highlights the palpable tension: "These are things that when these two men walk into a room, that tension between them is palpable."

The possibility exists that Ross might favor a different team, perhaps the anti-heroes of Thunderbolts, including John Walker. This could leave Wilson free to assemble his own independent team, potentially in time for Doctor Doom's arrival in Avengers: Doomsday.

Regardless, Brave New World marks a pivotal step in Wilson's journey towards leading the Avengers. Onah emphasizes Wilson's worthiness: "But part of telling this story is also reinforcing…why [is he worthy]?" His empathy, described as a superpower, enables him to effectively wield the shield and its values. Moore adds, "Hopefully by the end, [we’ll have] him and the audience go ‘There certainly could be no one else’."

With only two films between Brave New World and Avengers: Doomsday, Wilson's recruitment efforts will likely span Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps. The assembly of Avengers 2.0 begins here.