- PG-13
- 1h 59m
- Directed by
-
- Julius Onah
- Story
- Malcolm Spellman
- Premiered
- February 12, 2025
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $180,000,000.00
- Revenue
- $415,101,577.00
- Awards
-
- 8 nominations total
- Country
-
- United States of America
Captain America: Brave New World
- Production
-
- Marvel Studios
- Kevin Feige Productions
Spoiler
The future of global stability hangs precariously in the balance as newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, steps onto the world stage with a bold promise of unity against unprecedented threats. However, whispers of his volatile temperament and the lingering shadows of past destructive conflicts, particularly the calamitous clash between the Hulk and Abomination in Harlem, cast a pall over his leadership. The personal toll of these events is evident in his strained relationship with his daughter, Betty Ross, played by Liv Tyler.
Five months into Ross's presidency, Sam Wilson, now fully embracing his mantle as Captain America and embodied by Anthony Mackie, finds himself operating under the President's directive in Oaxaca, Mexico. Alongside his trusted associate Joaquin Torres, also known as Falcon and played by Danny Ramirez, Sam is tasked with dismantling the notorious Serpent Society, a mercenary group led by the cunning Sidewinder, brought to life by Giancarlo Esposito. Their mission takes them to a secluded church, where Captain America employs his signature aerial prowess and iconic shield to engage the mercenaries. While Sam successfully neutralizes most of the operatives, Sidewinder manages to evade capture, slipping away as Sam is momentarily occupied with a formidable adversary. Simultaneously, Joaquin, utilizing his advanced Falcon suit, pursues additional Serpent Society members and intercepts a crucial package destined for a clandestine buyer. Sam ultimately overcomes the last of the goons, ensuring the successful retrieval of the package by Joaquin.
Upon reporting the mission's success to President Ross, Sam and Joaquin return to Baltimore to continue their training regimen under the watchful eye of Isaiah Bradley, portrayed by Carl Lumbly. Isaiah, a veteran with a complex history with governmental agencies, harbors deep-seated reservations about Sam's allegiance to a system that has historically wronged them both. Despite Isaiah's skepticism, Sam endeavors to instill hope, asserting that a positive shift is underway.
Their commitment is tested when President Ross extends an invitation to Sam, Joaquin, and Isaiah to an event at the White House. The gathering, intended to foster international cooperation, takes a dramatic turn when Sam is summoned for a private meeting with Ross. The President reveals his intention to revive the Avengers initiative and proposes Sam as its new leader. Sam expresses his reservations, particularly recalling the contentious Sokovia Accords and Ross's role in their implementation. However, Ross remains confident in their ability to collaborate and forge a different path forward.
During the event, President Ross addresses the assembled dignitaries regarding the significant mining operations underway on Celestial Island, a landmass that emerged from the Indian Ocean following the events of "Eternals." The island, it is revealed, is a rich source of adamantium, the very material recovered by Sam and Joaquin. Ross is actively engaged in negotiating a vital treaty to regulate its trade and distribution among global powers. The atmosphere of diplomacy is abruptly shattered by the ominous strains of the song "Mr. Blue." In a shocking turn of events, Isaiah and four other individuals are suddenly subjected to mind control, launching a coordinated assassination attempt on President Ross. Ruth Bat-Seraph, played by Shira Haas, Ross's astute security advisor and a former Black Widow, swiftly neutralizes the other assailants, while Sam races to intercept Isaiah. Their pursuit leads them to a park, where Isaiah momentarily regains his senses. Despite his profound fear of re-imprisonment, Sam persuades Isaiah to surrender peacefully.
Sam confronts President Ross in his secure bunker, accompanied only by Ruth. While Ross believes Isaiah was a willing participant in the attack, Sam is convinced that Isaiah was a victim of manipulation and is determined to clear his name. Ross, however, dismisses Sam's involvement, citing his emotional proximity to the case and reminding him that he is not Steve Rogers. Sam's subsequent visit to Isaiah in his cell offers little solace. Isaiah, resigned to his fate, urges Sam to abandon his efforts, believing the situation to be a lost cause and anticipating his demise in prison.
Undeterred, Sam enlists Joaquin's expertise to unravel the mystery. By analyzing surveillance footage, Joaquin discovers that Isaiah and the other attackers' phones displayed a blinking light moments before the assault, suggesting a technological trigger. Sam then finds himself ambushed by Sidewinder, who has been contracted to eliminate him. A fiery attempt to detonate Sam's vehicle is narrowly averted, allowing Sam to engage the villain in a fierce hand-to-hand confrontation. Despite Sidewinder's attempts to incapacitate him with gunfire and a blade, Sam gains the upper hand, subduing him for arrest. Following the encounter, Sam speaks with Sidewinder's employer, who, while acknowledging Sam's victory, issues a chilling warning of impending repercussions.
The attack has significant diplomatic fallout, with world leaders who were present expressing a profound loss of faith in President Ross's leadership, jeopardizing the crucial treaty negotiations. Sam, determined to uncover the truth, brings Sidewinder's phone to Joaquin, who successfully traces the employer's call to an off-grid facility in Virginia known as "Camp Echo One." As Sam and Joaquin make their way to the camp, Ruth witnesses a disturbing scene: a brainwashed prison guard systematically eliminates the imprisoned attackers, sparing only Isaiah, before turning the weapon on himself, all while "Mr. Blue" plays ominously. Concurrently, the enigmatic mastermind behind the plot contacts President Ross, foretelling an imminent shift in global power.
Upon arriving at Camp Echo One, Sam and Joaquin utilize Sam's drone, Redwing, to infiltrate the facility. Inside, they discover a laboratory containing extensive genetic data on numerous individuals, including Isaiah and the other attackers. The mastermind is revealed to be Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson. Sterns, driven by a desire for retribution against Ross, employs a device to briefly incapacitate Sam before leaving him and Joaquin to contend with a contingent of hired mercenaries. After dispatching the first group, they are confronted by a second wave. Ruth arrives just in time, neutralizing this new threat and joining forces with Sam and Joaquin. As they attempt to exit, law enforcement officers arrive to apprehend them. However, "Mr. Blue" begins to play once more, inciting the officers to attack Sam and Joaquin. Sam retaliates with his shield, incapacitating them, and he, Joaquin, and Ruth escape in a stolen police van.
Meanwhile, President Ross faces mounting pressure from international leaders, including Japanese Prime Minister Ozaki, played by Takehiro Hira, who voice their dissatisfaction with his presidency. The escalating stress and his inherent rage begin to take their toll, with his Secret Service agent, Leila Taylor, played by Xosha Roquemore, attempting to maintain his composure.
Sam seeks assistance from Dennis Dunphy, his military contact, to analyze the pills discovered in Sterns' lab. He then visits Sidewinder, securing his temporary release to glean information about Sterns. Sidewinder reveals that after being exposed to Bruce Banner's blood, Sterns' intellect expanded. He was subsequently exploited by Ross as a personal "think tank," with increased gamma dosages accelerating his mutation. The Serpent Society's involvement was orchestrated to sabotage the treaty and instigate a conflict, thereby destroying Ross's legacy. Sidewinder departs with a promise of eventual escape.
Dunphy informs Sam, Joaquin, and Ruth that both Ross and Ozaki have dispatched warships to claim Celestial Island. Sam confronts President Ross, demanding an explanation for his involvement with Sterns. During a heated exchange, Ross confesses to suffering from terminal heart failure. He reveals that he commissioned Sterns to develop gamma radiation-infused pills, which have been seeping into his bloodstream. Ross admits to keeping Sterns under his control, fearing he would cease producing the life-sustaining medication.
Sterns, now in possession of "Mr. Blue," orchestrates a deadly sequence of events. He eliminates an admiral and gains control of two American F-18 pilots, who are dispatched to engage the Japanese fleet. Captain America and Falcon intervene, with Joaquin successfully ejecting one pilot. Sam rescues the other, but Joaquin is caught in an explosion and plunges into the ocean. As Ross struggles to regain control, his stress and fury intensify. Sterns contacts him, aware of his deteriorating condition and anticipating his loss of control. Ruth dispatches a medical team to retrieve Ross, while the Japanese pilots report to Ozaki, informing him that Captain America saved them.
Sam visits Joaquin in the hospital, where he receives an unexpected visit from Bucky, played by Sebastian Stan. Bucky offers Sam words of encouragement, acknowledging Sam's self-doubt and also mentioning his own potential candidacy for Congress. Sterns, having learned about the gamma pills, tracks down Dunphy and uses a device to stop his heart, killing him.
President Ross makes a brief call to Betty before addressing reporters at a press conference. Simultaneously, Sterns intercepts Sam, awaiting his arrest, but not before revealing the final stage of his revenge: exposing Ross as the "monster" he truly is. The relentless questioning from the press exacerbates Ross's distress and irritation. As Taylor and other Secret Service agents attempt to escort him back to the White House, the gamma radiation within Ross's body activates, unleashing his rage and transforming him into the Red Hulk. The agents' gunfire proves futile against his immense power. Captain America arrives to confront the rampaging Red Hulk, initiating a destructive showdown that devastates a portion of the White House. Red Hulk also effortlessly dispatches two helicopters attempting to engage him.
Despite landing several blows, Captain America's wings are torn, and his suit is severely damaged. Sam devises a plan, luring Red Hulk to the cherry blossom grove, a place of significant memories for Ross and Betty. He uses his shield to absorb a powerful blow from Red Hulk, creating a massive wave that knocks them both back. As Red Hulk prepares to strike again, Sam appeals to him, reminding him of Betty. This plea triggers a flicker of recognition, causing Ross to revert to his human form. He surrenders as authorities arrive.
Isaiah Bradley is exonerated and released from prison, reuniting with Sam. The White House begins its reconstruction. Sam visits Ross at The Raft, where he is incarcerated, and Ross receives a visit from Betty. Sam then visits Joaquin in the hospital, who confides that Sam's heroism served as his inspiration.
In a post-credits scene, Sam visits Sterns at The Raft. The villain issues a dire warning, revealing his prescient visions of threats originating from other worlds and universes poised to attack Earth.
Top Billed Cast
Core Crew
Posters
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