3 loose threads that Captain America: Brave New World has to address

Captain America: Brave New World is just around the corner with an all-new cap holding the shield. Considering the fanfare around all Marvel projects, the fans must be excited for this new phase. Before hitting the theaters, they would want to brush up on their memories of past Marvel projects to know all the trivia. It can make or break their experience as some old faces are returning to the latest film. After all, without knowing the history, we cannot figure out the ways of the present.

As the fans gear up for the Anthony Mackie-led movie, they might want to get some answers. The trailer has teased them with a few old and some new things that will show up in the movie. Some characters are returning to the screen, but now, they look differently at the world. Of course, Sam Wilson is taking over the baton, but that is old news at this point. What the fans want to know is how other characters fit into the equations of the new movie. They would love to learn what motivates them to make the decisions they end up taking this time around.

With the same thought, we have picked a few loose threads from past Marvel projects that Captain America: Brave New World should tie up. They include our burning questions related to the presence of a celestial hand and the motivations behind Isaiah Bradley and Red Hulk's actions.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.

Here are the loose threads Captain America: Brave New World has to address:

1) The Celestial Hand: How does it make sense in the new Captain America film?

A still from the ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ teaser (Image via YouTube/@marvel)

The recently released teaser of Captain America: Brave New World offers a brief look into a press conference held by Thaddeus Ross. During this event, Ross speaks about Adamantium, touted as the "discovery of the millennium" in their universe. It is more famously known as the substance linked to Wolverine's skeleton and claws. Moments later, the teaser shows The Celestial Hand, which previously appeared in MCU's The Eternals (2021). However, it did not reappear in the MCU until now.

Considering Ross's turbulent speech about Adamantium, this element and its connection to the Celestial Hand will likely shape the power dynamics in the new film since their world is on the brink of war.

2) Isaiah Bradley: Why does he want to kill Thaddeus Ross? Is he being manipulated into it?

A still from the ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ trailer (Image via YouTube/Marvel Entertainment)

The official trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, which came out back in November 2024, brings Isaiah Bradley back to the universe. Bradley is a Korean War veteran with a troublesome life. He was one of the African-American soldiers, who was subjected to the Super Soldier Serum experiments. After his appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he currently shows up as a part of an attack on President Thaddeus Ross. During Ross's press conference, Isaiah stands up in a way that suggests someone is controlling him.

The trailer leaves Isaiah's motivations unclear and doesn't disclose whether he is being manipulated into it. So, the film should ideally reveal why he takes such a shocking step and whether it ties into his traumatic past.

3) Thaddeus Ross: Why does this new president-elect have a change of heart about enhanced individuals?

Captain America: Brave New World first clip revealed (Image via Instagram/@marvelstudios)

Thaddeus Ross has had a strange character arc across Marvel's movie universe. Previously played by William Hurt, Ross was not the one viewers would sympathize with. Through his brief appearances, Ross often saw the enhanced individuals like Avengers as just the tools of defense. For the same reason, he approved of the Sokovia Accords, which hoped to control the Avengers' actions.

However, now a US President, Ross shakes hands with the new cap to rebuild the Avengers, as per a recently released clip. Sam wonders why Ross had a change of heart and Marvel fans must be wondering the same. Is it just a ruse for something sinister? The new film might answer that.