Summary:
- Captain America: Brave New World explores the stories of new and familiar characters like Isaiah Bradley in the MCU.
- With Bucky Barnes missing, Sam Wilson takes center stage as he becomes Captain America and reunites the Avengers.
- Isaiah Bradley’s tragic past and potential transformation into a powerful figure add depth and complexity to the upcoming movie.
Marvel fans are eagerly awaiting Captain America: Brave New World, set for release in 2025.
The film not only sees Anthony Mackie‘s Sam Wilson don the Captain America mantle but also dives deeper into characters introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, like new Falcon Joaquín Torres and ex-Super Soldier Program recruit Isaiah Bradley.
Adding to the excitement is the return of characters from The Incredible Hulk, such as Liv Tyler‘s Betty and Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader.
Recent footage from CinemaCon shows Harrison Ford‘s General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross interacting with Mackie’s Captain America in the White House.
While Bucky Barnes won’t be part of the character ensemble, the film still explores state-sponsored programs like the Winter Soldier, hinting at another Winter Soldier in the MCU timeline.
Marvel Officially Designates Isaiah Bradley as the Winter Soldier’s Successor
During CinemaCon, viewers were treated to footage featuring General Ross, Sam Wilson, and Isaiah Bradley.
Introduced in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier as a Korean War veteran subjected to secret experiments, Bradley is depicted as an aging veteran who attacks Ross after being triggered by a song.
This altercation hints at Ross’s potential transformation into Red Hulk, as he fights back against Bradley’s unexpected aggression.
Bradley’s sudden shift in behavior surprises audiences, but given his history of experimentation, it’s plausible that certain triggers can awaken his violent past, similar to Bucky’s activation in Captain America: Civil War.
As one of the MCU’s Super Soldiers, Bradley may have undergone similar experiments. Captain America: Brave New World is expected to provide more insight into Bradley’s mysterious past.
Whether in the comics or the MCU, Isaiah Bradley’s backstory has always been tragic. While Steve Rogers became Captain America after taking the Super Soldier Serum, Bradley was betrayed by his own country.
During a time when Bucky was brainwashed to be an assassin, Bradley fought against him and rescued other Super Soldiers held prisoner.
Instead of being rewarded for his bravery, Bradley was captured by HYDRA and the American government, his existence was kept secret for thirty years. So secretive were the circumstances of his capture that even Steve Rogers was unaware.
Note: Carl Lumbly, who portrays Isaiah Bradley, is a veteran of the superhero genre, having played TV’s first black superhero in M.A.N.T.I.S.
He also voiced Martian Manhunter in several DC animated shows like Justice League and portrayed the character’s father in Supergirl.
In Captain America: Brave New World, Bradley’s violent behavior suggests that he may have undergone Winter Soldier-like conditioning and torture during his time in captivity.
Despite his age, Bradley’s fighting skills in his rogue state would still pose a significant threat, given his Super Soldier abilities. If his “awakened” state resembles that of Bucky, he may lack empathy while fighting.
This makes Bradley’s descent into rage all the more tragic, as his violent actions are likely unintentional.
