Was Captain America: Brave New World Doomed to Fail Before It Even Aired? Lessons from the Comics
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is no longer the unstoppable juggernaut it once was.
Even though Avengers: Endgame (2019) was a huge success, the franchise has struggled with
underwhelming box office returns, inconsistent storytelling, and a decline in audience
enthusiasm since then. With Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel attempted to
continue the legacy of Steve Rogers by firmly establishing Sam Wilson as the new Captain
America. However, the film has already faced criticism from fans because of delays, and
reshoots, leading many to wonder if it was doomed to fail before it even aired.
Sam Wilson’s Captain America has deep roots in the comics, but his journey has not been
without controversy even then. The transition from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson in the source
material mirrors the challenges the MCU now faces. While the comics offer examples of how
to make this transition compelling, they also highlight the pitfalls that could led to Brave New
World struggling after release. Here are five key reasons why the film might be facing an
uphill battle, based on lessons from the comics.
5. The Challenge of Replacing Steve Rogers
For over a decade, Chris Evans’ portrayal of Steve Rogers defined the character of Captain
America in the MCU. His departure left a void that was always going to be difficult to fill.
While The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) did some work to establish Sam Wilson’s
version of Cap, it didn’t fully solidify him as the new face of the franchise.
The comics faced a similar issue when Steve Rogers passed the shield to Sam Wilson in All-
New Captain America (2014). While some fans embraced the change, others rejected it
outright, feeling that Captain America should remain Steve Rogers. Marvel Comics doubled
down on the transition in Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015), but the backlash remained
strong, with some critics arguing that the stories didn’t justify Sam’s new role. The MCU
might face the same challenge because fans feel Brave New World doesn’t deliver a strong
narrative that cements Sam Wilson as a worthy successor.
- Political Themes Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
One of the defining aspects of Captain America stories, whether it’s Steve Rogers or Sam
Wilson, is their political relevance. However, when Sam Wilson took up the mantle in the
comics, Marvel leaned heavily into real-world political discourse, portraying him as a
Captain America who tackled systemic issues like corruption and racial inequality head-on.
While some praised this approach, others felt it was heavy-handed, leading to divisive
reactions.
The MCU has already shown signs of this issue. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explored
themes of race, nationalism, and power dynamics, but reactions were mixed. Some felt the
series handled these topics well, while others thought it was either too safe or too preachy. If
Brave New World takes a similar approach but fails to balance action and political
storytelling, it risks alienating audiences. Political themes can add depth to a superhero story,
but if not handled with nuance, they can also become a point of contention.
- The MCU’s Declining Popularity and Oversaturation
Marvel Studios is no longer the powerhouse it was in the Infinity Saga. The franchise has
been struggling with audience fatigue due to an overwhelming number of releases across both
film and Disney+ series. With major disappointments like Ant-Man and the Wasp:
Quantumania and The Marvels, it’s clear that viewers are losing interest in the MCU’s
current direction.
This decline mirrors Marvel Comics’ struggles when they over-relied on big events and
character replacements in the mid-2010s. During that time, Marvel swapped out many of its
iconic heroes. Sam Wilson became Captain America, Jane Foster became Thor, and Riri
Williams became Iron Man. While some of these stories were well-received, the constant
changes have also alienated long-time readers, who felt like they could no longer relate to the
new heroes.
- The Villain Problem: Can The Leader Carry the Film?
A great superhero movie needs a compelling villain, but Brave New World hasn’t been able
to convince audiences that its antagonist is a strong enough threat. The film will feature The
Leader, played by Tim Blake Nelson, a character last seen in The Incredible Hulk (2008).
While The Leader is a significant villain in the comics, he isn’t widely recognized outside of
hardcore Marvel fans.
When Sam Wilson took over as Captain America in the comics, he faced a variety of foes,
including HYDRA factions, rogue government agencies, and street-level threats. However,
none of his adversaries reached the level of Red Skull or Baron Zemo. A Captain America
film needs a villain that feels personal and ideological, one who can challenge the hero’s
ideals as much as their physical abilities. If Brave New World can’t establish The Leader as a
legitimate threat, it might feel underwhelming compared to the Steve Rogers-era Captain
America films.
- Reshoots, Delays, and Production Issues
Even before its release, Brave New World has faced many production problems, including
multiple delays and extensive reshoots. This isn’t always a bad sign, plenty of successful
films have undergone reshoots, but in Marvel’s case, recent history suggests trouble. Films
like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
also had extensive reshoots, and they both suffered from disjointed storytelling.
The comics are another cautionary tale: when Marvel rushed or altered storylines to fit
corporate mandates, it often led to lackluster results. Secret Empire (2017), for example,
controversially turned Steve Rogers into a HYDRA agent, a decision that was later reversed
due to backlash. If Brave New World goes through too many last-minute changes, it might
lose narrative cohesion, resulting in a film that feels unfocused.