Captain America: Brave New World Ending Explained- What does it mean for the MCU?

Marvel Studios has been in a slump, but Captain America: Brave New World is attempting to lay the groundwork for a new era. The film, positioned as a political thriller, follows Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as the new Captain America, who uncovers a mind-control conspiracy aimed at U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford). 

However, its biggest revelations have major implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), setting the stage for upcoming Avengers films and introducing key elements that could reshape the franchise.

The Adamantium Discovery & X-Men’s Arrival

One of the biggest revelations in Captain America: Brave New World is regarding The Eternals. The massive Celestial corpse left in the Indian Ocean is now revealed to be rich in Adamantium—a metal stronger than Vibranium. President Ross proposes distributing it globally, a move that puts him at odds with Wakanda, which holds a monopoly on Vibranium.

Marvel fans know Adamantium as the metal that makes up Wolverine’s skeleton, hinting at the X-Men's inevitable introduction into the MCU. Whether Marvel creates a new version of Wolverine or brings in Hugh Jackman from a parallel universe, Brave New World is clearly laying the foundation for mutants.

Parallel Universes & an Avengers War

The post-credits scene drops another major hint about the MCU’s future. Captain America visits Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), who cryptically warns that "this Earth is not the only one" and that they may soon have to "protect it from the others."

This directly connects to Avengers: Secret Wars, set for 2027, which will bring together heroes from multiple universes. Previous films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness already played with this concept, but Brave New World solidifies the idea that a full-scale multiversal war is coming—one where different versions of the Avengers will collide.

Bucky’s Future – Congress or Thunderbolts?

Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes has an unexpected subplot—he’s running for Congress. But that raises questions about his involvement in Thunderbolts (set for May 2, 2025), where he’ll join a morally gray team alongside Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell). 

Trailers show Bucky in full action mode, leaving fans wondering how he’ll balance politics and superhero missions. Given that President Ross transforms into the Red Hulk in Brave New World, perhaps super-powered politicians are the MCU’s next trend.

The MCU’s Attempt to Regain its Glory

Marvel has struggled post-Endgame, with declining box office numbers and mixed critical reception for recent films. The studio is now pivoting, bringing in big stars like Harrison Ford, Pedro Pascal (Fantastic Four), and even Robert Downey Jr.—but not as Iron Man. Instead, he’s playing Doctor Doom, the central villain of Avengers: Doomsday (2026).

Marvel’s future lineup includes Thunderbolts (2025), The Fantastic Four (2025), Avengers: Doomsday (2026), Spider-Man 4 (2026), and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). On Disney+, the studio is cutting back on its massive output but still releasing Daredevil: Born Again (March 2025), Ironheart (June 2025), Eyes of Wakanda (August 2025), and Wonder Man (late 2025).

With Brave New World setting up Adamantium, the X-Men, and an Avengers multiversal war, the MCU is clearly preparing for a major reset. Whether it succeeds in recapturing audience interest remains to be seen.