Captain America 4 trailer breakdown: Brave New World

There's a new Captain America in town. Sam Wilson has officially taken over the mantle as the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan from his best friend Steve Rogers, carrying on his legacy. Yes, Captain America: Brave New World is nearly upon us, picking up after the events of Disney Plus series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which set the stage for the arrival of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's next Cap.

The film was announced on the day of the show's finale, with Anthony Mackie confirmed to reprise his role as Sam, the former Falcon and new Captain America. It's now set for release on Valentine's Day next year, but Marvel Studios has surprised fans by releasing the first trailer for the upcoming movie a few weeks before San Diego Comic-Con (just days after it did the same thing with upcoming Disney Plus show Agatha All Along).

It looks set to be a memorable adventure for the MCU, so let's dive into it and all that it showcases.

Anthony Mackie returns in first Captain America: Brave New World trailer

Well that was really something, wasn't it! The first Captain America: Brave New World trailer suggests we're in for one heck of a show whenever Sam Wilson dons the stars and stripes, wields the shield, and flies through the skies. The one thing that becomes increasingly clear as it progresses is that Anthony Mackie is going to do a phenomenal job in the leading role of an MCU movie, getting the silver screen spotlight and no doubt thriving in it.

Sam had previously struggled with the comparisons to the original Captain America because nobody could ever be Steve Rogers, and so he decided that he would become his own hero instead - one that nobody else could be. This continues to play into Brave New World as we see Sam taking on the world that, yes just like the title of the movie, is changing quite a bit. There are those that still don't believe he can do the job, so he sets out to prove them wrong once again - and by the looks of the trailer, he certainly will.

The film also introduces us to the new version of General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (who has now become President Ross), played by Harrison Ford, who takes over from the late William Hurt, who sadly passed away in 2021. The dynamic between him and Sam is no doubt going to be tense, as Ross looks to take control of the Star-Spangled Man, much like how he wanted The Avengers to sign the Sokovia Accords a number of years ago. Sam struggles with the notion of Captain America becoming a pawn for the government, and it looks like that's going to play into the movie a great deal.

We also know that Ross is expected to transform into the Red Hulk at some point in this movie, potentially making him its primary antagonist. And we got our first look at the big red brute at the very end of the trailer when he grabs the mighty shield and throws it down. This essentially confirms months of speculation that the character would appear (although the film's merchandise may have already done that), even if it doesn't outright confirm that Ross is the one taking on the role.

And speaking of Hulks and antagonists, the film also features our first look at Tom Blake Nelson's Leader, who returns to the MCU after 16 years. His last appearance was in The Incredible Hulk in 2008, and that - along with the fact that Ross has a major role and that Liv Tyler will be returning to reprise her role as Betty Ross for the first time since that movie too - has fans believing that this movie will be a spiritual sequel to The Incredible Hulk. Could Tyler's appearance come at that apparent funeral scene, as it looks like Thunderbolt Ross gets shot by Isiah Bradley, who returns from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

It's technically a sequel to the three previous Captain America movies (it is Captain America 4 after all) but it won't feature Chris Evans, who retired from the role of original Cap Steve Rogers after Avengers: Endgame. Mackie's Sam Wilson officially takes over the mantle in this movie, making it a direct sequel to Disney Plus show The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Needless to say, the movie looks like it's going to be epic and we can't wait to see Sam take on all-comers as the new Captain America.