Courageous New World Leaves One Huge MCU Query Unanswered

This submit incorporates main spoilers for “Captain America: Courageous New World.”

2024 was a fairly quiet yr for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with solely “Deadpool & Wolverine” hitting theaters. 2025 is a unique animal, as we have got a number of MCU entries gracing the silver display this yr, starting with “Captain America: Courageous New World,” which is presently in theaters on the time of publication. It is a very consequential movie relating to the broader MCU, from addressing the Celestial within the ocean from “Eternals” to introducing us to Harrison Ford’s tackle Thaddeus Ross. That second plot level warrants a lot dialogue.

“Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” icon Harrison Ford takes over the position of Thaddeus Ross within the MCU instead of the late William Harm. This marks the actor’s first look because the character, who has been a part of this universe relationship again to 2008’s “The Unbelievable Hulk.” In “Courageous New World,” Ross is launched because the newly-elected President of the USA, elevating him from warfare hero to one of the vital vital males on this planet. Ross’ huge objective is to get a treaty handed that may divide up the entire newly-discovered Adamantium within the Celestial from “Eternals” equally between nations. It would not go in response to plan.

We uncover that Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, aka The Chief, is pulling the strings behind the scenes. He is been secretly dosing Ross with gamma radiation, permitting him to unleash Crimson Hulk at exactly the flawed time in entrance of the White Home after a global incident within the Indian Ocean that erupted over the Adamantium. Anthony Mackie’s Captain America is compelled to face Crimson Hulk and cease him, however all of this takes place in entrance of world eyes, demonstrating that Ross is unfit for the presidency.

That is the place issues get fascinating, leaving an open-ended query which may have penalties for the MCU sooner or later. 

After the incident with Crimson Hulk — which sees him leveling many of the White Home along with being answerable for nonetheless many extra tens of millions in property injury — it was unimaginable for Ross to maintain his title as POTUS. Because the film’s third act attracts to a detailed, Sam visits Ross at The Raft, the floating jail first launched in “Captain America: Civil Struggle,” the place the now-former president is being held as an illustration of his dedication to what’s finest for the nation.

Sam Wilson commends Ross for giving up his position as President of the USA willingly. It is a huge deal because it means there’s a new head of the U.S. within the MCU. The query we’re left with is, who took over for Ross? Whether or not it was a deliberate tease or Marvel Studios not desirous to decide to that simply but, we by no means have been launched to Ross’ Vice President in “Courageous New World.” So, in the intervening time, it is fully unclear who’s now sitting within the Oval Workplace. That is relatively vital as a result of Ross was solely round 100 days into his first time period. Whoever this particular person is, they may very well be in workplace for some time. Whoever it’s will likely be left to find out what is finished with the nation’s share of the Adamantium, one of many strongest and most precious supplies within the Marvel universe. That alone is a giant deal. 

For what it is price, Ross was the primary consequential character within the MCU to carry the title of President of the USA. We beforehand noticed William Sadler as President Ellis, for instance, in “Iron Man 3,” however that was the primary time he was launched. So, is the brand new POTUS one other comparatively minor character? Or does Ross stepping apart current Marvel Studios the prospect to introduce a extra significant character in a future movie?

It is fully doable, if not going, that the shortage of acknowledging who Ross’ Vice President was had nothing to do with teeing up a reveal later. Is it doable that we’ll be taught who the brand new President of the USA is in “Thunderbolts*” this summer season? Definitely, nevertheless it may simply be a work-a-day politician, relatively than some significant character from the pages of Marvel Comics.

Now, if we assume that it is a setup for one thing extra, one factor we all know for certain is that the introduction of Adamantium into the MCU means the X-Males are coming. In spite of everything, that is the substance that’s used to craft Wolverine’s claws. Is it doable this new President will likely be a bridge to the forthcoming “X-Males” reboot throughout the MCU? There are logical choices. Senator Kelly, for instance, who was performed by Bruce Davison within the unique “X-Males” movies, is a personality who might take that mantle, more than likely with a unique actor. There’s additionally Henry Gyrich, a liaison for the U.S. authorities within the comics, who additionally appeared briefly within the movies, performed by Matthew Sharp.

Although there isn’t a proof to assist this one, it is also doable, if unlikely, that that is how the MCU might introduce Norman Osborn. One in every of Spider-Man’s best foes, the person who was as soon as the Inexperienced Goblin does finally turn out to be President of the USA within the comics. Once more, since Sony controls the “Spider-Man” franchise, this appears wildly unlikely, however stranger issues have occurred. What we all know for certain is somebody is in that chair taking on for Ross, and that particular person now has an excessive amount of energy. 

For extra on “Captain America: Courageous New World,” you may take heed to a couple of my /Movie colleagues have a spoiler-filled dialogue concerning the film on at this time’s episode of the /Movie Each day podcast:

“Captain America: Courageous New World” is in theaters now.