With Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel Studios is set to redefine the hero’s journey for Sam Wilson, who now wields the iconic shield after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. As the fourth Captain America film, Brave New World will bring Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson fully into the role of Captain America, building on the thematic foundation laid by his Disney+ series.

Details on Brave New World’s plot have been closely guarded, but insiders suggest it dives deep into themes of leadership, identity, and what it means to represent a nation that is itself in flux. Sam will face a global crisis, rumored to be linked to international super-soldier programs and a powerful new villain. Though unconfirmed, there is speculation that the storyline may reference elements from Captain America: Civil War with geopolitics and moral dilemmas taking center stage.

In addition to Anthony Mackie’s return, the film welcomes Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, stepping in for the late William Hurt. Ford’s casting has sparked widespread interest, as he will bring his gravitas to the MCU as a major figure in the U.S. government, potentially positioning him as an antagonist to Sam Wilson’s Captain America. Brave New World also features Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley and Danny Ramirez reprising his role as Joaquin Torres, who may be poised to take on the mantle of Falcon.