Marvel’s new trailers for Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts suggest MCU Phase 5 will go out with a bang, rather than a whimper
- Marvel has released new teasers for Captain America: Brave New World And Lightning strikes
- The Cap 4 trailer reveals our best look yet at Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk
- The pair concludes phase 5 of the comic book giant’s cinematic universe
2025 will be one of the busiest twelve months in Marvel Studios’ history – and if the trailers for two of its new films are to be believed, the comics giant could have another banner year.
Just after announcing a full lineup of Disney Plus TV shows for 2025 in late October, Marvel debuted new looks from two of the three films it will release next year during last Saturday’s D23 Brasil Expo presentation (9 November). The films in question? Captain America: Brave New World And Lightning strikeswhich will be released in theaters on February 14 and May 2 respectively.
With Sam Wilson appearing on the big screen for the first time with Captain America in charge, it won’t be a surprise to hear that the latest batch of footage from this Marvel Phase 5 film has arrived in the form of an official trailer. It’s also one of the more creative, original teasers the Disney subsidiary has put together in a long time, with conflicting snippets of footage, showing off the largely duplicitous cast of characters (Wilson notwithstanding), speaking to the political-thriller vibes. Cap 4‘s latest teaser comes four months later Brave new worldThe film’s first trailer debuted with a first look at Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk, who is revealed in all his glory in this new round of images.
As for Lightning strikesthe second of three Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films received a long teaser with a special look. The three-minute video opens with an extended clip from the film, showing Bucky Barnes appearing to save Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, US Agent and Ghost from some unidentifiable bad guys, before Bucky turns the tables on the alleged rescues.
The teaser, which arrives less than two months later Lightning strikes‘ first trailer revealed an official look at Lewis Pullman’s Bob and Yelena Belova’s anti-hero team, then evolves into a more traditional trailer, with quick shots showing the morally complex characters working together as they trade quips and sarcastic barbs. The video also confirms who now owns Avengers Tower, with Valentina Allegra De Fontaine purchasing the New York landmark in the wake of Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame.
Ending on a high?
Anyone who has visited these parts will know that since the beginning of MCU Phase 5 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in February 2023, my faith in Marvel has waned.
Yes, there have been usual successes for the comedy titan. In 2024 alone, Marvel has given us one of the best Disney Plus shows of all time X Men 97. That animated series was recently joined on the TV front by highly rated ones WandaVision spinoff Agatha all the timewhose popularity grew week after week. Add to that the box office juggernaut that was Deadpool and Wolverinean MCU film that I really enjoyed, even if some didn’t, and in 2024 Marvel has succeeded in its attempts to course-correct after a – by its lofty standards – terrible 2023.
Indeed, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 And Loki Despite season 2, small and big screen duds in the form of Secret invasion And The miracles continued to spotlight Marvel’s inconsistent creative approach to its cinematic juggernaut since 2019 Avengers: Endgame. Yes, great films and series also followed Avengers 4 between July 2019 and January 2023 – inclusive WandaVision, Spider-Man: No way homeAnd Shang Chi to name just three.
However, for every good project there was also a bad and divisive project Thor: Love and thunder and – although I liked it – She Hulk: Lawyer. Add in the 2023 Hollywood strikes and other issues that have plagued the studio, and Marvel has not only been battling fires for years, but has suffered countless hits due to its previously untouchable reputation.
Based on Cap 4 And Lightning strikes‘ new teasers, however, it looks like the latest phase of the MCU will end with a bang instead of a whimper. And even if it does release on the back burner, it won’t sound the death knell for the MCU, with highly anticipated films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps and two more Avengers movies, plus exciting Disney Plus shows including Daredevil: Born Againalso on the road. Still, Marvel can’t afford to keep producing critical and commercial duds, so here’s to hoping 2025 doesn’t start off as poorly as 2023.
