Anthony Mackie may have taken up the shield, but the latest entry in Marvel’s long-running cinematic universe has left more questions than answers—especially about what’s next.
Captain America: Brave New World wrapped its theatrical run with underwhelming results. As the 35th film in the MCU and the fourth Captain America title, the Julius Onah-directed movie opened on February 14, with Mackie making his cinematic debut as the star-spangled hero following his arc in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
The film explored themes of succession and national identity, introducing Sam Wilson’s Captain America in full force. Despite early enthusiasm, however, the box office performance fell short of Marvel’s prior highs. The film pulled in a respectable $198 million in its opening weekend—$100 million domestically and $98 million internationally—but plateaued at $415 million globally.
Part of the anticipation stemmed from Harrison Ford joining the cast as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a major character who transforms into the Red Hulk. His presence added gravity to the project, but the road to release was bumpy. Casting conflicts, online discourse, and significant reshoots plagued the production.
Critical reception didn’t help its momentum. On Rotten Tomatoes, Brave New World sits at a 46% critics’ score, with a more generous 76% from audiences.
Despite teasing larger implications in the final act—particularly with Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross confronting her father—Ford appears finished with Marvel.
When asked by Variety if Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige had asked him to return, Ford curtly replied, “nope.” It’s a decisive end for a character who might have played a significant role in future narratives.
Ford’s one-and-done status lines up with Feige’s recent confirmation that the MCU is moving toward a reset. Not every character introduced during Phases Four and Five will continue into Phase Six and beyond.
Meanwhile, Mackie’s Sam Wilson is confirmed to remain front and center, leading a refreshed Avengers lineup.
In Brave New World, the Avengers still exist—but in name only. Since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have largely operated in isolation. Sam Wilson, now Captain America, is asked by Ross to bring them back together, marking one of the film’s major turning points.
That thread is expected to pay off in Avengers: Doomsday, slated for 2026. The film will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, returning to the franchise after their landmark success with Infinity War and Endgame. The Russos are also attached to Avengers: Secret Wars, set for 2027.
Feige addressed the shift in storytelling just before the release of Brave New World, stating, “In Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson is Captain America, and he has made the decision to unabashedly become Captain America,” via press release. “But what does it mean to be Captain America when you’re not a super soldier, which we definitively know Sam Wilson is not, and in a world where the Avengers are not currently active?”
Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) seems eager to support the revival, and by the film’s end, it’s clear Sam will be at the heart of the next Avengers formation.
Producer Nate Moore explained to The Movie Report, “…there’s never been an Avengers movie where there’s not a Captain America at the center of it.”
In Thunderbolts*—which closed out Phase Five—a darker version of the Avengers is assembled. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine introduces the new team in the final scenes, naming them the New Avengers. Familiar faces like Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman) round out the squad.
A post-credits scene confirms Sam Wilson is forming a team of his own, signaling dual paths forward.
If audiences are wondering who might fill the Avengers’ shoes long-term, look no further than Marvel’s First Family.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrived as the opening film in Phase Six, introducing Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film established a new cosmic foundation for the MCU.
It also gave Marvel its biggest win of the year. The film opened to $218 million worldwide—$118 million from North America and $100 million internationally—outpacing expectations and reinvigorating Marvel’s box office presence.
The cast is joined by Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. And yes, First Steps is just the beginning. The team is confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday, where they’ll appear alongside Robert Downey Jr. in a new role as Victor Von Doom.
Feige spoke candidly about the MCU’s next era, telling Variety, “Reboot is a scary word. Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline—we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next.”
The Russo Brothers echoed that sentiment, saying that Doomsday and Secret Wars are a new beginning—not just sequels.
With Tom Holland returning in Spider-Man: Brand New Day in 2026 and Franklin Richards expected to play a major role in reshaping the timeline, Marvel’s next phase could look very different—but no less ambitious.
How do you feel about the shape of the MCU moving forward?
