Captain America: Brave New World Ending Explained

Contains spoilers for “Captain America: Brave New World”

Marvel’s Captain America films provide a rich context for discussing societal issues. For instance, “Winter Soldier” delves into the topic of government surveillance, while “Civil War” and the Sokovia Accords portray the power struggles on a global scale. The most recent Captain America film, “Brave New World,” emphasizes that the real villain is often the one who has been hiding in plain sight as the antagonist.

In this scenario, it’s clear who is orchestrating events, and that’s Samuel Sterns, portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson, who, in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” was subjected to Bruce Banner’s blood, granting him extraordinary intellect. The climax of “Brave New World” finds the President succumbing to anger, transforming into Red Hulk, and engaging in a fierce battle with Sam Wilson, better known as Captain America, as hinted at in the trailers.

How does the finale in “Captain America: New World Order” impact the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole, and what message might the movie be attempting to convey? Let’s use our keen intellect to decipher the film’s intricate puzzle of secrets, and observe the picture that emerges from the pieces.

What you need to remember about the plot of Captain America: Brave New World

In the opening scenes of the movie, Sam Wilson and the fresh Falcon, Joaquin Torres (played by Danny Ramirez), recover stolen adamantium from a group resembling Marvel Comics’ Serpent Society, which is being headed by Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito). This action impresses the recently elected President Ross, who is currently hosting a global summit on the treaty concerning adamantium extraction from Celestial Island. This mysterious island is referred to as such due to its resemblance to the rising corpse of Tiamut from the Earth, as depicted in “Eternals.

Ross calls upon Ross, Sam, Joaquin, and Isaiah Bradley (previously imprisoned super soldier, portrayed by Carl Lumbly) to attend a gathering. Prior to the event, he privately discusses with Sam the possibility of him leading a fresh Avengers team under government control, an idea that doesn’t sit well with Sam. When Isaiah and other assassins attempt to fire at Ross, Sam is certain that Isaiah wouldn’t turn rogue without reason. He then delves into investigating the assassination attempt, while Ross delegates ex-Widow Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas) to conduct her own inquiry. As Ross strives to preserve the treaty and persuade his daughter Betty (Liv Tyler) to reconcile with him following past confrontations involving Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), he also relies on pills developed by Samuel Sterns to manage a life-threatening condition. These pills are slowly taking his life away.

Upon reaching a covert facility, Sam and Joaquin encounter Sterns, who has been subtly influencing troops with advanced mind control devices. Sterns’ exceptional foresight helps him anticipate all possible outcomes in various situations. To leverage this ability, Ross utilized Sterns’ intellect to aid his own election campaign by offering a presidential pardon as an incentive. However, when Ross failed to uphold his end of the bargain, Sterns retaliated by deploying mind-controlled troops to undermine Ross’ diplomatic agreements and tarnish his political legacy.

What happened at the end of Captain America: Brave New World?

As Sam, Joaquin, and Ruth hasten towards the Indian Ocean, brainwashed aircrews start assaulting Japanese vessels bound for Celestial Island, potentially igniting a conflict among nations. The heroes skillfully deescalate the situation, but Joaquin unfortunately finds himself in close proximity to an exploding missile, necessitating a hasty trip to the hospital. At this critical moment, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) appears on the scene to allay Sam’s concerns about assuming the role of Captain America.

Dr. Sterns confides in Sam privately that he has mixed Ross’ medication with gamma radiation – the same substance that transformed him and Bruce Banner. As Sam rushes off, Sterns is apprehended. Meanwhile, at a press conference, Ross finds himself cornered as details emerge about his associates stealing adamantium from Japan. With the pressure mounting, Ross undergoes a transformation into the Red Hulk. In an attempt to minimize damage, Sam battles the Red Hulk. The fight is intense, and Sam narrowly escapes death by employing Wakandan tech in his suit’s wings for a powerful strike, leaving both combatants unconscious.

After regaining consciousness, Sam manages to calm Red Hulk (Red Hulk transforming back into Ross), and with both Ross and Sterns now under control, Sam communicates with Joaquin at the hospital. He suggests that restarting the Avengers might not be a terrible idea (provided there’s no government interference) and prepares Joaquin for the potential call. Sam then visits Ross, currently a prisoner at the Raft, bringing Betty along as she consents to discuss with her long-absent father.

Does Captain America: Brave New World have a post-credits scene?

In “Captain America: Brave New World,” there’s a small scene after the credits that doesn’t hold much weight at first glance. As I was on the Raft, I dropped by Samuel Sterns’ cell. Despite his incarceration, he seemed remarkably serene, and launched into a lengthy monologue about an impending danger. He warned me ominously, “We inhabit the same world, don’t we? The one you would lay down your life to protect. It’s coming. I’ve glimpsed it in the probabilities, clear as day. All these heroes safeguarding this world, do you truly believe you are the only ones protecting it? Do you think this is the only reality? We shall find out when you have to defend this place from the others.

The plot seems somewhat ambiguous yet hints at the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) long-standing concept of the Multiverse, which has been gradually developed over several years and will reach a climax in the upcoming films “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Robert Downey Jr. will portray Doctor Doom, the antagonist in these movies, and it’s expected that various universes mentioned by Sterns will converge during this phase. In the 2015 “Secret Wars” comic by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic, and Ive Svorcina, Doom merges different realities and rules over the resulting world like a deity. While the MCU’s adaptation of this tale will probably deviate significantly from the comics, viewers should still anticipate Doctor Doom to pose a threat to the stability of the Multiverse.

In this post-credits scene, Sterns doesn’t disclose any concrete details to Sam (or us) about the upcoming events, which leaves a sense of insignificance. However, the ambiguous warning could be what’s essential to rally Sam and the Avengers for their most significant battle yet against these mysterious “others” that the audience knows will be part of “Secret Wars.

What the end of Captain America: Brave New World means

In the title “Captain America: A Fresh Era,” several critics have pointed out that the movie seems to lack substantial political commentary. For instance, Looper’s review of “Captain America 4” mentions that “[t]he movie doesn’t delve as deeply into politics as one might expect, considering the apparent connections to our present societal context.” This becomes evident in its portrayal of President Ross, who, despite his questionable actions, is portrayed in a somewhat compassionate light. Notably, his primary motivation is reconnecting with his daughter.

In a different phrasing: For years, Ross imprisoned Sterns, exploiting the villain’s brilliance for personal advantage. Despite his pledge to free the scientist, Ross reneged on his promise and continued to detain him. Given these circumstances, it’s not surprising that Sterns would desire retribution. It’s worth noting that in this narrative, Sterns can be seen as a victim. However, the film doesn’t delve into the complexity of this situation. Instead, it encourages empathy towards the president who, prior to this point, had instigated attacks on the Hulk and caused discord within the Avengers through the Sokovia Accords. It seems odd that we are asked to sympathize with the president but not with Sterns. Why is the president deserving of our compassion while Sterns isn’t?

The movie delves into the concept of legacy as well. It’s not just about Sam taking after Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), but also Ross attempting to redefine his own. His unpopularity due to the Sokovia Accords has led him to strive for redemption. His campaign slogan “Together” reflects in his proposal of a treaty, allowing multiple nations access to Celestial Island’s adamantium. However, the film seems intentionally vague about its commentary on real-world political movements. Originally scheduled for release in May 2024, extensive reshoots delayed it nearly a year. With a new presidential administration, Disney may have chosen to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Consequently, the finale of “Captain America 4” appears rather ambiguous.

What does the end of Captain America: Brave New World mean for the Avengers?

Captain America: A World of Courage”

The story opens with Ross asking Sam to spearhead a fresh Avengers team. Sam is undeniably apprehensive, given his concern that at some point, the Avengers and the U.S government might clash on crucial matters. Additionally, he doubts his readiness to lead the Avengers in the manner Steve Rogers did. Director Julius Onah explained to IGN, “Our aim as filmmakers was to guide him through a journey of self-doubt, questioning whether or not he made the correct choice. By the end, we hope to have both Sam and the audience exclaim, ‘There is truly no other.’

By the end of the movie, it’s clear that Sam is eager to reunite the Avengers, with Falcon/Joaquin by his side. But when will we see the new Avengers lineup? Given the little time left before “Avengers: Doomsday” marks the end of the Multiverse Saga, speculation points towards the announcement happening soon. Interestingly, the upcoming film “Thunderbolts,” set for release on May 2nd, appears to serve as a precursor to a darker version of the Avengers, featuring villains and anti-heroes from previous Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. However, this team might not be robust enough to combat Sentry (Lewis Pullman) and his evil persona, The Void. In such a scenario, another powerful superhero team may need to emerge to counter the threat.

The Fantastic Four: First Footsteps” hits theaters on July 25, 2025, yet this film is set in a completely different universe. The first Marvel Cinematic Universe film of 2026 is titled “Doomsday,” so it might be then when we encounter Sam’s newly formed Avengers team. This gives them little time to bond before Doctor Doom begins causing chaos.

How does Captain America: Brave New World set up Thunderbolts*?

After watching “Captain America: Brave New World,” fans won’t have to wait too long to learn where the Marvel Cinematic Universe heads next. The series “Daredevil: Born Again” is set to premiere on Disney+ in March, and the next major Marvel film, “Thunderbolts,” hits theaters in May. A clear link between the upcoming movie and “Captain America 4” can be seen through Bucky’s brief appearance, where he mentions attending a campaign fundraiser. Interestingly, Ruth also refers to him as a potential future congressman, which adds a new layer of meaning to the promotional materials for “Thunderbolts” we’ve seen so far.

If Bucky is a congressman or is campaigning for one, it’s quite improbable that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has enlisted him for her supposed Avengers team. Given her apparent interest in recruiting former villains, it seems plausible that the intentions for this team might not be entirely honest. It’s possible that Bucky could uncover Valentina’s plans and attempt to guide the Thunderbolts towards a different course.

In addition, there’s speculation about who will be the president in the upcoming movie. The Super Bowl trailer for “Thunderbolts*” hinted at Valentina testifying before Congress, suggesting that the film may incorporate political themes. It’s possible that they might adopt the “Thunderbolts” name as a tribute to Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’ nickname, altering the origin of the team’s moniker from its comic book roots, where Baron Zemo coined it from a line in a Thomas Randolph poem: “Justice, like lightning, should strike fear into few men, but be apparent to all.

How does Captain America: Brave New World set up the X-Men?

As a diehard fan, I can hardly contain my excitement! Though we’re still engrossed in the Multiverse Saga, the prospect of the X-Men joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is already sending shivers down my spine. In a sense, we’ve had a sneak peek, as we’ve encountered a few mutants: a variant of Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) graced us in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” while Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) was officially identified as a mutant in her self-titled Disney+ series. However, the “Deadpool & Wolverine” universe and The Void dimension are separate realms from our current MCU adventures. But hey, every new Marvel addition is another reason to look forward to movie nights!

Captain America: A Bold New Era” introduces us a bit more deeply into the MCU’s forthcoming mutant saga, as it’s hinted that Sentinel Island conceals adamantium – an indestructible material. This substance was incorporated within the Weapon X program to strengthen Wolverine’s skeleton and create his iconic metal claws. Adamantium has also been utilized by various other Marvel Comics characters, such as X-23 and Bullseye, regardless of whether they are mutants or not.

It’s been widely speculated that Hugh Jackman might reprise his role as Wolverine in “Avengers: Secret Wars,” but eventually, the Marvel Cinematic Universe may require a new actor for the part. With adamantium back in the picture, it’s possible that the next Wolverine is already out there, waiting to endure a grueling process.

Which characters can we expect to see again?

In the conclusion of “Captain America: Brave New World,” a message appears stating, “Captain America Will Return.” This is typical in Marvel films, hinting at more projects to come. While it wasn’t necessary to mention it, Captain America would indeed return for “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” As he assembles the Avengers once more, one might wonder about the fate of other characters.

Sam instructs Joaquin to prepare for a call, subtly suggesting that the new Falcon could join the evolving Avengers team. Although Bucky played a minimal role in this film, he is significant for “Thunderbolts” and may appear in future Avengers productions as well. Ross and Sterns are currently on the Raft, keeping them accessible if the MCU requires their services again, but they’re essentially on standby for now, so it’s unlikely we’ll see them return soon, if at all.

After considering Ruth, also known as Sabra, it seems likely Marvel might choose not to include her in future projects due to ongoing controversy surrounding the character. Since her introduction was announced, Ruth has been a subject of debate due to her portrayal as an Israeli mutant in Marvel Comics, which some perceive as supporting the Israeli state. This, unfortunately, clashes with real-world issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the premiere of “Captain America 4”, protesters advocating for Palestine called for a boycott due to Ruth’s inclusion, despite her role in the MCU being depicted as an American government agent rather than Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. Given the potential for continued protest and controversy, it appears that Ruth’s tenure within the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be coming to an end.

Was there going to be an alternate ending for Captain America: Brave New World?

Currently, it remains uncertain how the original story of “Captain America: Brave New World” was intended to conclude due to numerous reshoots during production. This suggests that the initial ending might have been quite different. Since those directly involved in the filmmaking process haven’t revealed any details yet, we can only guess based on rumors and set photos. It seems possible that there may have been alternate plans for Ross’ final outcome, but this is speculation at best.

Initially, it’s important to mention that behind-the-scenes photos showed Betty Ross attending a funeral. In the movie, Thaddeus Ross is depicted visiting his wife’s grave. This could suggest that Betty might have been part of the scene during filming. An alternate theory is that Thaddeus was initially written to die, with Betty visiting his grave. However, she encounters him on the Raft instead, indicating that the funeral scene was likely removed from the final production.

As a devoted fan, I’ve heard whispers that the post-credits scene wasn’t originally planned as we saw it. Allegedly, leaks (which we always take with a grain of salt) hinted that Thaddeus was set to pay Betty a visit at her home in the post-credits sequence, potentially suggesting that Red Hulk would be on the run. Additionally, there were rumors floating around late in 2024 claiming that Amadeus Cho was supposed to have a role in the film, with Logan Kim from “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” tipped to portray the brilliant, gamma-infused character. However, he’s not in the movie at all, so it seems we’ll have to wait for another time to see Cho make his grand entrance into the MCU.

2025-02-14 02:31