History of Captain America: Brave New World in Timeline
Captain America: Brave New World is a 2025 superhero film and the fourth installment in the Captain America series, as well as the 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by Julius Onah, the film continues the story of Sam Wilson as Captain America, following the events of 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' series. The movie features Anthony Mackie in the lead role, along with Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, and others. Harrison Ford portrays President Thaddeus Ross. The plot revolves around Wilson's investigation into a conspiracy implicating President Ross.
1994: Comparisons to Ford's Film Clear and Present Danger
In 1994, the film Clear and Present Danger starring Harrison Ford was released, a point of comparison by Onah regarding the film's presidential conspiracy theme, which had similar themes in Brave New World.
2008: Visual Effects Comparison
Critics in 2025 compared the film's CGI to the 2008 film, The Incredible Hulk, with some finding the effects worse despite the nearly two-decade gap.
2008: Return of Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns
In 2008, the original film The Incredible Hulk was released. In July 2022, Tim Blake Nelson returned from that film to reprise his role as Samuel Sterns in Captain America: New World Order.
2008: Return of Nelson and Tyler from The Incredible Hulk
In 2008, the original film The Incredible Hulk was released. Tim Blake Nelson and Liv Tyler returned from that film to reprise their roles in Captain America: Brave New World.
2011: Release of Captain America: The First Avenger
In 2011, Captain America: The First Avenger was released.
2014: Release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier
In 2014, Captain America: The Winter Soldier was released.
October 2015: Captain America: Civil War as End of Rogers' Trilogy
In October 2015, Kevin Feige stated that Captain America: Civil War (2016) would be the conclusion of the Captain America trilogy starring Chris Evans.
2016: Release of Captain America: Civil War
In 2016, Captain America: Civil War was released, marking the end of the Captain America trilogy starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers.
2017: Previous Work of Production Designer Ramsey Avery
In 2017, Ramsey Avery was the production designer on the films Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Avery would later work on Captain America: Brave New World.
2017: Comparisons to Comic Book Storyline Secret Empire
In 2017, the comic book storyline Secret Empire was published, with a character betraying the ideals of Captain America and the United States, which was a point of comparison for the writers of Brave New World.
October 2018: Development of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Series
In October 2018, Marvel Studios began developing a limited series for Disney+ starring Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson / Falcon and Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier.
2018: Release of Avengers: Infinity War
In 2018, Avengers: Infinity War was released.
April 2019: Official Announcement of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
In April 2019, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was officially announced as a Disney+ series.
2019: Release of Avengers: Endgame
In 2019, Avengers: Endgame was released.
January 2021: Reported Return of Chris Evans as Rogers
In January 2021, it was reported that Chris Evans was close to signing a deal to return as Steve Rogers in at least one project, but Evans himself said it was "news to [him]"
April 2021: Fourth Captain America Film Announced
In April 2021, following the release of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale, a fourth Captain America film was announced, with Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson writing the script.
April 2021: Writing of new Captain America film begins
In April 2021, writers Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson began writing a new Captain America film, following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
2021: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Miniseries
In 2021, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier television miniseries was released, setting the stage and continuing the storyline for the 2025 film Captain America: Brave New World.
2021: WandaVision Miniseries Leads to MCU Film
In 2021, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was released. Feige stated that Marvel intended for the series to lead into an MCU film first as they did with fellow Disney+ miniseries WandaVision (2021).
2021: Inclusion of Sabra and Black Widow Influences
In 2021, during the making of the film Black Widow, the general idea of using the Black Widow program to adapt characters who Marvel Studios "didn't want to translate as one-to-one" from the comics came up, which would later influence the depiction of Sabra in the upcoming Captain America film.
March 2022: William Hurt's Death and Harrison Ford's Casting
In March 2022, William Hurt, who played Thaddeus Ross, passed away and was subsequently replaced by Harrison Ford in the role for the film.
March 2022: Death of William Hurt
In March 2022, William Hurt, who portrayed Thaddeus Ross in the MCU, passed away.
July 2022: Julius Onah Joins as Director
In July 2022, Julius Onah joined the Captain America project as the director of the new film.
July 2022: Title Reveal: Captain America: New World Order
In July 2022, the film's title was revealed to be Captain America: New World Order at San Diego Comic-Con.
October 2022: Harrison Ford Cast as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross
In October 2022, Harrison Ford was cast as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, replacing William Hurt, who had passed away in March 2022.
January 2023: Xosha Roquemore Joins the Cast
In January 2023, Xosha Roquemore joined the cast of the new Captain America film.
March 2023: Filming Start and Costume Redesign
In March 2023, filming was expected to begin, and Mackie's Captain America costume was redesigned, drawing inspiration from previous Captain America films.
March 21, 2023: Principal photography begins
On March 21, 2023, principal photography for Captain America: Brave New World began at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, under the working title Rochelle Rochelle.
May 2023: Writers Guild strike impact
In May 2023, the start of the Writers Guild of America strike was not expected to impact production, as Marvel Studios planned to shoot what they could and adjust the script during already scheduled reshoots.
June 2023: Filming Concludes
Filming for the new Captain America film took place from March to June 2023, primarily at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional filming in Washington, D.C.
October 2023: Release date change possibility
In October 2023, there was a possibility for Brave New World to return to its May 2024 release date, but this was considered unlikely.
November 2023: Release delayed to 2025
Following the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike's conclusion in November 2023, Brave New World's release was delayed to February 14, 2025.
December 2023: Matthew Orton Joins for Reshoots
In December 2023, Matthew Orton joined the production team to write for reshoots of the Captain America film.
2023: Filming Planned to Begin
In 2023, filming was planned to begin for Captain America: New World Order, with Onah describing it as a paranoid thriller.
January 2024: Extensive reshoots planned
In January 2024, extensive reshoots were planned, and Matthew Orton was hired to write additional material for them.
February 2024: Mark Ruffalo states he will reprise his role
In February 2024, Mark Ruffalo stated that he would reprise his role as Bruce Banner / Hulk in the film, but this was soon reported to be incorrect.
April 2024: First footage revealed at CinemaCon
In April 2024, Feige and Mackie revealed the first footage from the film at CinemaCon, focusing on Wilson meeting with Thaddeus Ross.
May 3, 2024: Original Release Date of Captain America: New World Order
Captain America: New World Order was originally set for release on May 3, 2024, making it part of Phase Five of the MCU, before being pushed back to 2025.
May 2024: Giancarlo Esposito cast
In May 2024, Giancarlo Esposito revealed he had been cast in an MCU role and was confirmed to be appearing in Brave New World, with reshoots beginning at the end of the month.
July 2024: Promotion at San Diego Comic-Con
In July 2024, Feige and cast members promoted the film at San Diego Comic-Con. More footage was shown, Esposito's role was announced, and Thaddeus Ross was confirmed to be Red Hulk.
July 26, 2024: Release date delayed
In July 2024, the release date for the film was delayed to July 26, 2024.
August 2024: Laura Karpman announced as composer
In August 2024, Laura Karpman was announced as the film's composer.
November 2024: Reshoots Conclude
Reshoots for the Captain America film took place between May and November 2024.
December 2024: Writing credits revealed
In December 2024, Marvel credited the story to Spellman, Musson, and Rob Edwards. Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson was revealed to be part of the cast.
January 2025: Mackie's Future as Captain America
In January 2025, Anthony Mackie expressed his desire to continue portraying Sam Wilson for around 10 years and hoped to make another Captain America film after appearing in the next two Avengers films.
January 2025: Marketing push and controversy
In January 2025, Marvel Studios partnered with Tide for promotional commercials and Disney began a marketing push. Mackie received backlash for his comments about Captain America's values, leading to controversy.
January 2025: Rollins no longer appearing
In January 2025, Seth Rollins stated that he would no longer be appearing in the film following rewrites and reshoots.
January 2025: Box Office Projections
In January 2025, early box office estimates projected the film to earn $86–$95 million during its opening weekend and more than $100 million across the four-day weekend from Valentine's Day to Presidents' Day.
February 11, 2025: Captain America: Brave New World Premiere
On February 11, 2025, Captain America: Brave New World premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
February 12, 2025: Soundtrack release
On February 12, 2025, a soundtrack album featuring the music of Laura Karpman and Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum was released.
February 2025: Film premiere and release
In February 2025, Captain America: Brave New World premiered in Hollywood and was released in the United States on February 14.
February 17, 2025: Box office gross
As of February 17, 2025, Captain America: Brave New World has grossed $192.4 million worldwide.
2025: Captain America: Brave New World Release
In 2025, Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth installment in the Captain America film series and the 35th film in the MCU, is set to be released. The movie features Sam Wilson as Captain America and involves investigating a conspiracy.
2025: Ford as Ross in Brave New World and Thunderbolts*
In 2025, Harrison Ford is set to appear as Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Brave New World as well as the following MCU film Thunderbolts*.
2025: Bucky Barnes' Cameo and Thunderbolts* Setup
In 2025, Sebastian Stan reprises his MCU role as Bucky Barnes in a cameo appearance in Captain America: Brave New World, campaigning to be a congressman and setting up his role in the film Thunderbolts* (2025).
2026: Mackie's Role in Avengers: Doomsday
In 2026, Anthony Mackie is set to reprise his role as Captain America/Sam Wilson in Avengers: Doomsday.
2027: Mackie's Role in Avengers: Secret Wars
In 2027, Anthony Mackie is set to reprise his role as Captain America/Sam Wilson in Avengers: Secret Wars.
