Captain America: Brave New World had the potential to do something spectacular with Sam Wilson’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) story, but instead it dropped the ball. It’s no surprise that the Multiverse Saga has struggled to maintain the momentum that existed in the MCU before Avengers: Endgame. Despite expanding into TV shows, introducing a variety of new heroes, and diving into the multiverse, it marked the end of an era.

The Multiverse Saga has put in the groundwork over the last five years to make something just as magical, but the consistency, quality, and interconnected nature of these projects has been a little all over the place. Case in point, Captain America: Brave New World. The movie serves as a sequel to two of the least popular MCU films of all time, and picks up after a TV spin-off that underperformed. But even with these challenges, the movie could have been great.

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Set Up A Fascinating Storyline For Sam Wilson

Sam Wilson Already Had A Great Story Set Up In The MCU

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series sees Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes working together after Steve Rogers left Sam his shield with the expectation that Sam would take over the Captain America mantle. However, Sam felt unsure of himself, and lacked the confidence to embrace this role, deciding to instead give up the shield to the US government. Unfortunately, this led to a new Captain America being chosen by the government, and he was then entrusted with the shield.

The rest of the show sees Sam recognize that he is Steve’s chosen successor, and he is worthy of the Captain America mantle. However, this also happens alongside a debate around whether taking the super soldier serum is ethical and right. For most people, it enhances their most inherent qualities, which is why it made John Walker even more aggressive, but Sam believes that taking the serum is not the right decision for him, and he does not need it to be a hero.

Captain America: Brave New World’s Red Hulk & The Leader Stories Were The Perfect Chance To Connect The Falcon And The Winter Soldier To The Movie

The Red Hulk Story Was A Perfect Follow-Up To The Falcon And The Winter Soldier

Obviously, not everyone chooses to watch every film and show from the MCU, so when Brave New World was coming out, they needed to get creative about how it could connect to TFatWS‘ plot, without alienating that part of the fanbase. And the choice to include Red Hulk and the Leader was actually an incredibly smart pick to expand the super soldier serum topic, without going over the same story beats again.

Sam sees how the serum can have an incredibly negative effect through Thaddeus Ross’ response to taking a concentrated form of this same serum. This could have led to Sam acknowledging how the serum is unpredictable, dangerous, and does not form the foundation for creating a hero. This would then back up Sam’s choice from the show, and further cement his decision to avoid taking the serum.

Captain America: Brave New World Never Properly Touches On The Hugely Important MCU Storyline

Captain America: Brave New World Missed The Mark On Sam Wilson’s Story

The way Brave New World addresses events from earlier in Sam’s story is much more subtle, and ultimately less meaningful. In the movie, Sam appears to slightly regret his choice, and jokes about not taking the serum. Yes, it would make his fight against Red Hulk less dangerous on his end, but it also creates a situation where Sam can be that hero that gives people something to aspire to, rather than an unattainable super soldier.

As Captain America, Sam possesses a lot of responsibility, not just as a hero, but as a global representative. He wears the Stars and Stripes, and he is meant to be emblematic of the American people, and the reality of the American dream. Yes, he is an inspiration to everyone around the world too, but he has a particular relationship with the USA. And choosing to be a hero of the people, without taking some enhancement performing drugs is an integral part of his idenтιтy that went under the radar in Captain America: Brave New World.