Summary
When the Marvel Cinematic Universe first began in 2008, the films were very grounded and were standalone films that weren’t necessarily worried about trying to do too much. The stories were focused, and told a single, singular story. This is something theCaptain Americatrilogy handled well, and is partially whyCaptain America: The Winter Soldieris regarded as one of the best comic book movies ever. Now,Captain America: Brave New Worldlooks set to follow suit.
Marvel Studios' first two phases worked so well because of the way the studio approached them. It wasn’t necessarily all meant to serve as a precursor to other films. There wasn’t a need to focus on setting up an overarching big bad, or a storyline that would continue throughout other films. While the film isn’t out just yet,Captain America: Brave New World’s trailer suggests the film is going back to the grounded approach, and looks ready to remind audiences why the Marvel Cinematic Universe is great.
Marvel Studios Needs to Go Back to Its Roots
While there is no denying the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still one of the most impressive franchises ever, having continued to find success for over a decade now, it hasn’t been without its issues. One of the things that made Marvel Studios so great at what it did in the beginning was its ability to welcome risks. It took lesser known characters, including the Guardians of the Galaxyand even the original Avengers, and turned them into household names. It also found a way to tell these incredibly well-structured superhero movies, yet stay grounded. The first two Phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe weren’t perfect, with films likeThe Incredible HulkandIron Manfailing to take off with critics, but films likeIron ManandCaptain America: The First Avengershowcased what was possible within the superhero genre, by taking these grand stories and taking a more grounded approach for live-action. There was no concern over setting up a villain like Kang,one who is seemingly being put on the backburner, but rather telling a single story about the titular hero. There were instances, of course, where the heroes needed help, and other heroes were brought in, but even those characters were rather pivotal to the storyline and weren’t just added for the sake of what was to come.
As the universe continued to build and Marvel Studios set to bring the Avengers together on screen for the first time, the stories became bigger and more intricate. Future films became more about team-ups and setting up future installments by setting up the overall big bad. This worked leading up toAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame, as the films were the bookend to everything that came before them. Unfortunately, as Marvel Studios set to prepare the Multiverse Saga, the studio seemed more interested in output, rather than quality, and seemed to lose themselves. No longer were the stories grounded. No longer did they focus on the titular character and their journey. Thankfully,Captain America: Brave New Worldlooks ready to go back to basics and draw inspiration fromthe likes ofCaptain America: The Winter Soldierand everything that came before it.
Captain America: Brave New World Could Surprise Everyone
When Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson was given theiconic Captain America shield by Steve Rogersat the end ofAvengers: Endgame, fans were excited to see what would follow next. Then cameThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The series wasone of the first Marvel Studios series to hit Disney+in 2021, alongside the critically acclaimedWandaVisionandLoki. While those series were hits for both Marvel and Disney+,The Falcon and the Winter Soldierproved to be a bit of a misfire for Marvel, with fans feeling as though the series sought to do too much in too little time. The project was hit with multiple issues during post-production, thanks to COVID-19, and had to endure rewrites and reshoots to try and fix what was rumored to be a pandemic plot within the original storyline. What should have been a grounded series, one that set Wilson up for his new title of Captain America, was instead a clunky series unsure of what it wanted to be. From bringing back Zemo, to making Sharon Carter the Power Broker, to a story that took the characters all over the world,The Falcon and the Winter Soldierhad a lot of story it sought to tell in only six episodes. Thankfully, rather than benching the show’s heroes, Marvel Studios revealed Mackie’s Wilson would return to headline a fourthCaptain Americafilm, following his journey to becoming the iconic hero in Steve Rogers' place.
Fans had been skeptical, especially as the film had to endureextensive rewrites and reshoots, but thefirst trailer for the filmsuggests Marvel Studios fixed its wrongs beforehand, and brought back the grounded approach the franchise has been needing for some time. With the studio trying to right the issues it is already facing with the move from Kang to Doom, it feels like Marvel Studios is trying togive fans a quality storyat a time when they need it the most.
Captain America: Brave New Worldwill hit theaters on February 14th, 2025.
