Fans finally learned a bit more about the next chapter in the legacy of Captain America. Marvel Studios announced the title for the next Captain America film at SDCC 2022. Captain America: New World Order will hit theaters on May 3, 2024, but fans are already excited for the next release in the hit MCU franchise.
New World Order will follow Sam Wilson's debut as Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+. The series also set up a new path for Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier and introduced new characters like U.S. Agent. The title of the upcoming film teases a possible comic storyline, though there are quite a few stories that fans are hoping to see adapted next.
10 Red Skull's Villainous New World Order First Appeared In The Incredible Hulk
The title for the fourth entry in the Captain America franchise teased the return of one of the MCU’s first and greatest villains. The New World Order was a group of mysterious supervillains assembled by the Red Skull in one of his many plans for world domination. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #403’s “In Memory Yet Green” by Peter David and Gary Frank.
Red Skull worked with other villains like Mentallo, Silvermane, Madman and the Juggernaut. They created new villains like the monstrous Piecemeal and brainwashed the Hulk to use against the Avengers. The film could set up Red Skull’s return or introduce new villains in Captain America: New World Order. A powerful version of The Hulk could also make his return to the MCU.
9 Falcon & Winter Soldier Went On The Hunt Together For The New Leader Of Hydra
While Sam Wilson has stepped into his new role as Captain America in the MCU, there are still some great comic stories from his former alter ego. Derek Landy and Federico Vicentini’s Falcon & Winter Soldier set them on a mission to discover the identity of Hydra’s new leader. They fought through Hydra armies and highly-trained assassins while furthering their friendship.
Baron Zemo also appeared as one of the deadliest leaders of Hydra fighting to regain control of the evil organization. The storyline would tie in well to the events of Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+. An adaptation of the series could bring Hydra back as a threat on the big screen. It could also introduce villains like The Natural and the new Hydra Supreme to the MCU.
8 “Hydra Ascendant” Featured Sam Wilson’s First Mission As Captain America
Sam Wilson faced off with some of his and Steve Rogers’ greatest enemies early in his career as the All-New Captain America. Rick Remender and Stuart Immonen’s “Hydra Ascendant” featured Sin’s debut as the new Red Skull. Baron Zemo, Baron Blood and his new Hydra also tried to poison the world. Sam Wilson stopped Zemo and Red Skull’s plans and proved himself worthy.
While New World Order does tease the return of the Red Skull, it isn’t clear which Red Skull. Sin was the Red Skull’s villainous daughter before she was disfigured and took on her father's role. Her Hydra origins and Baron Zemo’s takeover of the group could also feature in New World Order. Sam Wilson could acclimate to his new role under pressure from his deadliest villains.
7 U.S. Agent Was Sent To #takebacktheshield From The All-New Captain America
There were some unhappy parties in the comics when Sam Wilson took over as Captain America. That led to a counteroperation known as the Americops who used excessive force. They quickly created a problem for the new Captain America. In Nick Spencer and Paul Renaud’s “#takebacktheshield” storyline, Wilson fought with the Americops before facing U.S. Agent.
John Walker made his MCU debut in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The government chose him to become the new Captain America. His disgrace in the role was one of the saddest things about John Walker. He was recruited by Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine to become U.S. Agent. He could make a big entrance on the big screen if he attempted to take back the shield.
6 Winter Soldier Was Selected For A New Cosmic Mission As The Man On The Wall
It’s likely that Captain America: New World Order will also further the story of Bucky Barnes. The Falcon & The Winter Soldier explored how the Winter Soldier still haunted Bucky. However, his therapeutic attempts to recover freed the character up for a bright new future in the MCU. New World Order could potentially lay the groundwork for Winter Soldier’s new cosmic role.
Bucky Barnes took on a unique new mission in the Marvel universe after the Original Sin event. Following the death of the original Nick Fury, Winter Soldier inherited his position as Earth’s universal protector known as the Man on the Wall. Ales Kot, Marco Rudy and Langdon Foss explored this cosmic evolution in Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier.
5 Sam Wilson Led The Avengers Underground Against An Evil Steve Rogers During Secret Empire
The Secret Empire event shocked Marvel fans with the reveal that Steve Rogers was actually a secret agent of Hydra. He used his standing to divide the heroes and help Hydra take over the country. Sam Wilson became the leader of the Avengers’ Resistance as they fought to overthrow Hydra and bring about the return of the real Steve Rogers.
Steve Rogers last appeared in Avengers: Endgame as an old man ready to pass on his mantle. New World Order could shock fans with the return of a Hydra-influenced Rogers. An adaptation of Secret Empire could explore one of Sam Wilson's greatest accomplishments when he took on a lead role as the head of the Avengers Underground.
4 Captain America’s Fight With The Sons Of The Serpent Led To The New Falcon’s Debut
Sam Wilson dealt with the racist organization known as the Sons of the Serpent a few times over the years. During his time as Captain America, he discovered one of their plans to kidnap people attempting to cross the U.S./Mexico border. The former Power Broker Dr. Karl Malus used them for his genetic experiments. This included Joaquín Torres, who was transformed into The Falcon.
Torres already appeared in the MCU as Sam Wilson’s ally in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series. Captain America’s clash with the Sons of the Serpent and Dr. Karl Malus could lead to Torres’ transformation into the human/animal hybrid. He could then team up with Sam Wilson’s Captain America as the new Falcon on the big screen in New World Order.
3 Sam Wilson Became A Symbol of Truth When He Returned As Cap In Homeland
Sam Wilson returned to his role as Captain America in Tochi Onyebuchi and R.B. Silva’s Captain America: Symbol of Truth. The series opened with the “Homeland” storyline, which followed Wilson’s return to the role as he uncovered a Vibranium smuggling ring tied to the creation of Captain America’s powerful shield.
“Homeland” also featured characters like Deadpool and Doctor Doom, both of whom are presumably on their way to the MCU in Deadpool 3 and Fantastic Four. The comic storyline also heavily features Wakanda, which could tie into ongoing plot points teased in Black Panther that will likely factor into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as well.
2 Winter Soldier Began Working With The Thunderbolts On Covert Missions
The former Masters of Evil who became known as the Thunderbolts have had a few different leaders over the years. Baron Zemo first formed the team as a ruse in his plans for world domination. Hawkeye then helped give the reforming villains a hand in the right direction. Winter Soldier later joined with the Thunderbolts for a few covert missions before the team disbanded.
The announcement that a Thunderbolts movie will be releasing shortly after Captain America: New World Order excited fans. Their close release order in the MCU’s slate of Phase 5 and 6 films could tease a connection between the movies. While Baron Zemo’s involvement with the Thunderbolts is the likely connecting character, Winter Soldier could also play a role.
1 Sam Wilson Joined The All-New, All-Different Avengers As Captain America
A new team of Earth’s mightiest heroes formed in Mark Waid and Adam Kubert’s All-New, All-Different Avengers. Sam Wilson joined the team as Captain America alongside a few other next-generation heroes. Jane Foster’s Thor and classic Avengers like Vision and Iron Man joined new heroes like Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales/Spider-Man and Sam Alexander/Nova.
The state of the Avengers in the MCU is a little vague currently. While the team will return in upcoming movies like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, who will form the MCU’s next generation of heroes is unknown. New World Order could potentially tease Sam Wilson’s role with the All-New, All-Different Avengers before their return in the MCU’s Phase 6.