The MCU’s first three 2025 releases include an odd trend that was started in Captain America: Brave New World. The Captain America franchise has never been afraid of politics, and Brave New World may be the most political movie in the MCU. It doesn’t include many opinions that lean left or right, but it does dive deep into the MCU’s political sphere. Celestial Island introduces Adamantium, and it causes a geopolitical crisis as countries dispute over who has control of this powerful new element.

The newly elected president, Thunderbolt Ross, faces difficulty managing this conflict, especially since he’s also dealing with The Leader (Samuel Sterns)’s revenge plot. Politics isn’t new to Ross, but it is his first time dealing with an international crisis as an elected official. He’s the first recurring MCU character to run for and win an election, but he won’t be the last. His electoral victory kickstarts a political trend for the MCU that will be repeated in the next two 2025 projects.

The First Three 2025 MCU Projects Include MCU Characters Running & Winning Political Office

Thunderbolt Ross holds the highest position of political power in the U.S. as the President of the United States. While he has been a controversial figure thanks to his role in the Sokovia Accords, he ran a campaign based on a promise of unity that won people over. Unfortunately, his tenure doesn’t last long after he turns into Red Hulk and almost destroys The White House. Ross isn’t the only controversial MCU character to run for political office and win, as both Bucky Barnes and Kingpin will have new positions in their next projects.

In Echo‘s finale, Kingpin becomes inspired to run for mayor of New York City. The trailers for Daredevil: Born Again have confirmed that Kingpin is successful in his campaign for mayor, despite his immense criminal background. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes is running for Congress, as established during his cameo in Brave New World. It’s already been confirmed that Bucky is a congressional representative in Thunderbolts*, meaning he also wins his election. In 2025, three former antagonists are achieving political success, but Bucky may be the only trustworthy one.

Bucky Barnes Will Be The First Avenger To Win A Political Election

Ross and Kingpin may have won over their consтιтuents, but Bucky is the only one who saved the world. Bucky fought with the Avengers and helped bring back half the population in Avengers: Endgame. He served his country before with Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, and he did so again after getting cured of being the Winter Soldier. He’s the first Avenger to win a U.S. election, and his victory is justified. He has an incredible record of helping people, even though he spent much of his life as a brainwashed ᴀssᴀssin.

His political victory demonstrates how Bucky has one of the best character arcs in the MCU. He started as a loyal friend to Steve, lost his way after HYDRA brainwashed him, but returned to being a hero after Steve saved him. He is still looking for redemption, and joining the U.S. Congress is another way of helping people besides stopping alien invasions. Captain America: Brave New World briefly showed him in his congressional attire, but it’ll be more interesting to see how politics impacts Bucky in Thunderbolts*.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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