If you’ve ever wanted to spend Valentine’s Day with Captain America, here’s your chance.
Marvel released the teaser trailer and poster for Captain America: Brave New World, which is set for a February 14, 2025, theatrical release. From Captain America and Falcon taking flight to an MCU Phase Four connection, this trailer is an effective tease that showcases what’s to come and leaves us wanting more.
Here are 10 highlights from the Captain America: Brave New World trailer:
1. Thaddeus Ross Sans a Mustache
The trailer begins with some light humor when Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson mentions to Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross that he doesn’t recognize the elder man without his mustache. But, according to Ross, there was no choice — not if he wanted to be President of the United States.
The moment is a reference to the late William Hurt, who sported the identifiable look when he played the character.
2. The Star-Spangled Man with the Government’s Plan
When Captain America was first introduced to the MCU, he was a product of a military experiment. From being the propagandistic star for war bond sales to fighting in the U.S. Army, Captain America was affiliated with the U.S. government — even when Steve Rogers disobeyed orders.
President Ross wants to revert back to this, “making ‘Captain America’ an official military position” — much like how John Walker was the government’s Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. With everything Sam experienced regarding John Walker, it’s understandable and in line with his character to express hesitance at the notion.
Even going as far back as his first appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sam has never been fond of taking other people’s orders. He notably tells Steve he enjoys not being given orders to follow anymore.
3. Joaquin Torres Takes Flight — In a New Way
Cap and Falcon forever! The tradition of Falcon being Captain America’s right-hand man lives on with Danny Ramirez returning as former Air Force lieutenant Joaquin Torres. Joaquin inherited Sam’s original set of Falcon wings in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and is seen alongside Sam throughout the trailer, whether that’s on the ground during a mission or flying through the air.
The two had a great dynamic in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, so it’ll be exciting to see them work alongside each other more in Captain America: Brave New World.
4. An Antagonistic Isaiah Bradley
Another returning character from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Carl Lumbly reprises his role as Isaiah Bradley. Initially (and rightfully) bitter about the government and his past, Isaiah is seemingly grateful and in better spirits when Sam shows him his statue near the Captain America exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
In the Captain America: Brave New World trailer, Sam is accompanied by Joaquin and Isaiah during an event at the White House. But, out of nowhere, Isaiah initiates an attack on White House personnel. He then pulls the trigger on President Ross before eventually fleeing the building by jumping out of a window.
Given his history with the government and Super Soldier Serum, it’s worth considering whether such behavior was triggered by something. (Consider consulting the Marvel Comics series Truth: Red, White and Black for more insight of Isaiah Bradley.) After all, that wouldn’t be the first instance of such. Winter Solider, anyone?
5. Giancarlo Esposito’s Unknown Character
In May, Variety reported Giancarlo Esposito’s casting in Captain America: Brave New World, and the teaser trailer doesn’t shy away from featuring him. What remains unclear is his role. Marvel has yet to announce Esposito’s character. But the fact his character has more of a villainous vibe and is often seen holding a gun makes it likely he isn’t on Cap’s side.
Variety also reported that, at the CCXP Mexico comic convention, Esposito said the following regarding his MCU role: “Wouldn’t you like to see me play a character in a Marvel movie who is original, and new, and fresh?”
6. Captain America is One Thing, Steve Rogers is Another
Unlike Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson is not a Super Solider. He has no desire to be one either, as he mentioned in Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But that doesn’t make Sam any less worthy, especially as Captain America.
President Ross seems to think otherwise, though. In the trailer, he tells the hero, “You may be Captain America, but you’re not Steve Rogers.”
It’s a very impactful line — albeit also a rude and mean thing to say. But that doesn’t faze Sam. Rather, he embraces it, taking pride in who he is and what he has to offer. What’s not to love about that?
7. Revamping the Stars and Stripes
An earlier scene in the Captain America: Brave New World teaser trailer features Sam in the primarily white-base suit that debuted in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Toward the end of the trailer, though, audiences get a glimpse at his new blue-base suit. The new design is sleeker and feels reminiscent of Steve’s stealth suit from Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Sam continues to use his wings. But, upon a close look, the trailer also reveals an Ant-Man-esque helmet to wear when in flight. While it remains to be known how the helmet works or who created it, seeing how Sam embraces engineering and technology for his suit/superhero gear is cool.
8. The Tiamut Tease
With all the action and intrigue the Captain America: Brave New World trailer features, this callback can be easy to miss. But pay attention to Sam’s surroundings when he’s mid-flight over an ocean toward the end of the trailer. A large rock formation — or rather Tiamut, the Celestial that the Eternals killed to save Earth and humanity in Eternals — is featured.
With the way the MCU expands nowadays, the wait to address certain storylines has only gotten longer. So it’ll be interesting to learn what Tiamut’s body means not only in this film but moving forward.
9. Red Hulk Makes a Smash Appearance
This may be a Captain America movie, but the Hulk connections keep on coming. The Captain America: Brave New World trailer ends with a smash — literally. Red Hulk catches the Captain America shield mid-air and swiftly throws it down, lodging it into the asphalt street.
It’s a quick moment that doesn’t give away too much of Red Hulk’s complete look. So while the inclusion of the character isn’t a surprise, audiences don’t get the full reveal just yet. And the shield being halfway stuck in the ground leaves an especially lasting impression as the final frame of the trailer.
Check out the teaser trailer and teaser poster for Captain America: Brave New World:
