Politics as the Protagonist of “Captain America: New World Order”

Every movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a background intended for a certain audience, mostly for children and young people. However, there are titles that are not alien to denser topics such as politics, and in this sense the saga starring Captain America has become a pioneer. In 2024, the fourth installment of this superhero, "New World Order", will hit the big screen, which promises to become the best of Phase 5.

What will the "New World Order" be about?

If there is something that has characterized this saga in particular, it is its spy plot. In both "Winter Soldier" and "Civil War", Captain America has had to face difficult situations such as the fall of SHIELD at the hands of Hydra as well as government interference in the actions of the Avengers. All this weight (and more) had to support Steve Rogers until he decided, at the end of "Endgame", to live the life he always wanted and grow old with his beloved Peggy. From there he gave up the suit and the shield that made him an icon of the country.

For the miniseries "Falcón and the Winter Soldier" the panorama began to take a new direction. Sam Wilson took over from Rogers, but that decision was not to the liking of many, mainly the United States government, which did not look favorably on a black man becoming the new Captain America. Here the political game increased, and in the end captain Wyatt Russell was chosen for such a role. However, after the events that unfold during the six episodes, Russell was stripped of the mantle and Wilson ended up carrying the shield to become the new Captain America.

If we start from that ending, "Captain America: New World Order" will work as a continuation of the miniseries, with Wilson fully functioning in his new identity. Although the details of the plot that have reached the media are scarce, the truth is that the story of this fourth installment will have the same tone as its predecessors, with new villains and threats that could destabilize the country, but also with a political load that will be in charge of Thaddeus Ross.

Likewise, it is worth mentioning that the events that unfold in this story have a controversial context, in a certain way. This transition between Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson happens at one of the most tense moments in the United States regarding racial discussion and police violence. In turn, the first appearance of Sabra, a Mossad mutant with the powers of a super-soldier, could serve as a symbol of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Both scenarios, however fictitious they may be, are not far from reality.

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New and old characters on stage

"Captain America: New World Order" will be the 34th MCU movie and is scheduled to be released in May 2024. Director Julius Onah will be in charge of the film, and it will have Anthony Mackie as the main protagonist in his role as Sam Wilson. Along with him are also confirmed Danny Ramírez, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Harrison Ford and Liv Tyler. Until now, the presence of Sebastian Stan or Mark Ruffalo with their characters Bucky Barnes and Bruce Banner, respectively, has not been made official.

During the last edition of D23, Kevin Feige confirmed that the villain of this film will be The Leader, a character who first appeared in the UCM in "The Incredible Hulk" (2008). As many will remember, Samuel Sterns was the biologist who tried to help Bruce Banner with a possible antidote, but accidentally became infected with his radioactive blood. After that exposure, his skin turned green, and he developed superhuman intelligence that made his skull grow bigger and bigger.

In turn, Ruth Bat-Serapgh, whom we will know better as Sabra, will be one of the new characters to follow closely. The super-soldier mutant is part of the Mossad and that aspect will be key in the story, since everything indicates that espionage will have its share of importance. Furthermore, the possible political implications behind his presence could be interpreted as a move by the producers to give the film a more mature and compromise tone.

For his part, an old acquaintance who will return with greater prominence and power will be Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. After the events of "Civil War," the General and former Secretary of State had his differences with everyone who supported Captain America, including Sam Wilson. Now, as President of the United States, Ross will look out for the national interest more than ever, not forgetting that he will eventually become the anti-hero Red Hulk. The actor Harrison Ford will be in charge of giving life to this character, replacing the late William Hurt.

Finally, Liv Tyler will resume her role as Betty Ross fifteen years after her first appearance in the UCM. Given this, many unanswered questions continue to arise just over a year after the premiere of "New World Order", because more than a film about the new Captain America, it seems that the plot will surprise us with its script. The expectations are high, and it shows in the secrecy with which Marvel Studios is handling the process. Could it have the scope and importance necessary to break the box office?