Sam Wilson is set to continue an MCU battle started by Steve Rogers back in 2016 in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. After officially becoming the MCU’s new Captain America at the end of 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will make his theatrical debut as the Star-Spangled-Man in Captain America: Brave New World. The Phase 5 movie will pit him against several powerful MCU villains, including one who routinely butt heads with Steve Rogers’ Captain America.

Sam Wilson’s upcoming adventure as Captain America seems to be packed full of unexpected twists, powerful villains and action-heavy moments. Sharing the screen with Anthony Mackie is Harrison Ford, who succeeds the late William Hurt in the role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. Ross first appeared as a General in The Incredible Hulk, then Secretary of State in Captain America: Civil War, and is now the President of the United States. Despite his new position, however, Ross will still be an annoyance to Sam Wilson, just as he was to Steve Rogers.

Captain America: Brave New World’s Plot Sets Up A Repeat Of Steve Rogers’ Thunderbolt Ross Confrontation

Steve Rogers Started Clashing Heads With Thaddeus Ross In Captain America: Civil War

During his time as Captain America, Steve Rogers never saw eye-to-eye with Thaddeus Ross. Ross wanted to limit the actions of the Avengers under documents such as the Sokovia Accords, but Rogers felt that Earth’s Mightiest Heroes needed the freedom to choose when they act and what actions they take, no matter the consequences. This feud began in Captain America: Civil War and continued throughout the events of Black Widow and Avengers: Infinity War, and is set to be repeated by Sam Wilson in Captain America: Brave New World.

Now that Thaddeus Ross is the United States’ president, he has the power to clamp down on the nation’s many superheroes. Trailers for Captain America: Brave New World have revealed that Ross will urge Sam Wilson to allow Captain America to become an official rank in the United States military, but it seems as though Wilson won’t let this happen without a fight. By biting back against Ross, Sam Wilson will continue Steve Rogers’ confrontation with the MCU veteran in the best way, and the stage has already been set for this development.

How Sam Wilson’s MCU Story Has Already Set Up A Conflict With Thunderbolt Ross

The Falcon & The Winter Soldier Established Sam Wilson As A Hero Of The People

Throughout his career in the MCU, following his debut in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson has shown off a similar moral code and superhero persona to that of Steve Rogers. This makes him the perfect candidate to be the next Captain America, and also brilliantly lays the foundations for Thaddeus Ross’ feud with heroes to continue. The fact that Sam Wilson has the same morality as Steve Rogers means his fighting back against governments and organizations will certainly continue in Captain America: Brave New World.

One of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s most memorable moments proved this would be the case. The series finale saw Sam Wilson, newly operating as Captain America, berate a group of United States Senators, urging them to do better. Sam Wilson has repeatedly established himself as a man of the people, so it’s inevitable that he’ll enter into some sort of political confrontation with President Ross in Captain America: Brave New World. This is especially true if Ross wants control over Captain America and a new Avengers team.

Thunderbolt Ross’ Red Hulk Makes Way More Sense If Sam Wilson Repeats Steve Rogers’ Confrontation

President Ross Will Become Red Hulk In Captain America: Brave New World

It could, of course, get boring if the same confrontation against Thaddeus Ross keeps being replayed in the MCU, but Captain America: Brave New World will add a new layer of complexity to this storyline. Harrison Ford won’t just be the human Ross in the 2025 movie, but will also be transformed into the monstrous Red Hulk. Trailers for Captain America: Brave New World have proven that the Red Hulk won’t be an ally, but will battle Sam Wilson’s Captain America, and this turn of events makes sense considering his long-running feud with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader is thought to be the cause of President Ross’ violent and dramatic transformation into the Red Hulk, and this could play right into the geopolitical themes seen in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Ross becoming the Red Hulk will bring Sam Wilson’s Captain America at odds with the United States government in an entirely new way. This will be a huge development for Captain America: Brave New World, and could see the landscape of the MCU as a whole shaken up in ways not even Steve Rogers would have anticipated.