Captain America: Brave New World, post-credits scene, and the near future of the MCU explored in depth

Already generating buzz is the post-credits scene in Captain America: Brave New World. Making a game-changing return, the Leader strikes again, now sporting a rather… unique look (yes, the internet is already calling him a “b*lls*ck head”). Employing his improved intelligence, he gives his view of the future. His alert? There are approaching incursions, and Sam Wilson could have to meet heroes from other worlds/realities/timelines.

Fascinatingly, this turnabout reportedly emerged from the third batch of reshoots, therefore fueling fan speculations on the direction the MCU is headed next. The actual question is: Certainly, the multiverse has been hinted at in Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, but what's different now? And why now? Disney's advice to go back over seasons 1 and 2 of What If...? might provide the key.

Disclaimer: This analysis draws from Marvel films, comics, official releases, and public interviews, blending creative speculation with confirmed details. References to the Stray Kids and their connection to the Deadpool & Wolverine universe are based on promotional materials, public collaborations, and fan observations.

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Marvel's multiverse chaos has its key in What If...?

Disney's current drive to tell us to revisit What If...? finally makes more sense. The show was more than a gathering of "what-if" ideas. Looks like it has been a warning all along. The episodes about multiverse wars and corrupted Avengers seem more pertinent now than they did years ago.

The idea of incursions, discussed several times in What If...?, showcases the fall from other worlds and timelines. Though first written off as an experimental narrative, these scenarios seem more like blueprints for what's next. With unusual alliances and corrupted heroes that might readily cross into live-action, the show suggested multiverse conflicts.

Should What If...? prove to be the key, we could find characters from its best-watched episodes entering Secret Wars. Well, something quite similar to what happened in the very first episode of the What If...? series has already happened. Now, we have a multiversitude of possibilities. This would bring even more animated ideas to life and extend the MCU in unusual directions. And based on Disney's focus on the show, those episodes will soon be essential viewing.

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A villain reincarnated: Is the Leader a key to the multiverse?

Returning for the first time since The Incredible Hulk (2008) is Samuel Sterns, sometimes known as The Leader. Not only a villain but fully evolved from the comics into the gamma-powered genius. His warnings to Sam Wilson seem more like a prophecy than a threat.

Also, we cannot forget that, even if it was Iron Man (2008) that kicked off the MCU in chronological order, The Incredible Hulk came earlier. And we had several characters and nods to that film in Capital America: Brave New World.

Thanos was a clear and physical menace, and Sterns is a more subdued threat whose strength resides in his capacity to precisely control results and forecast probability. That makes him almost tough to outmaneuver, which is why he becomes a real wildcard in the MCU's developing multiverse narrative.

Sterns's reference to The Others opens a plethora of ideas. Are they alternate Avengers turned by their failing reality? Alternatively, something entirely different? The cryptic and quite vague warning from Sterns makes it feel like Marvel is planting seeds for a much bigger reveal down the road.

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Incursions and the multiverse threat in full force

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has toyed with incursions when two worlds merge and risk mutual annihilation. Brave New World uses the idea and increases the stakes.

(Post via X/@Discussing Film)

Should the MCU be en route for a full-scale incursion, it would be ideal for Secret Wars. The concept of several worlds clashing presents almost infinite narrative possibilities. Heroes from other worlds could partner up, fight alongside known main timeline characters, or even replace them.

The way adamantium connects with this multiverse anarchy is fascinating. This uncommon metal may be more than just a good source of inspiration. It might become the secret to bring falling reality back under control. Whoever masters it might be in charge of the multiverse.

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Thunderbolts*: The MCU's erratic antihero team

The MCU is ready to plunge into its most erratic period ever as Thunderbolts* looms ahead. Currently, Red Hulk, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, might be a liability as well as an advantage for this team of antiheroes. Although the Thunderbolts* roster has well-known names like Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes, Ross's erratic behavior could cause upheaval among the whole team (even if he is not featured in any of the promotional materials as he is in jail right now).

Ross has always been motivated by a craving for control, and his metamorphosis into the Red Hulk only accentuates that. His will to maximize power at all means could drive the Thunderbolts into ethically dubious land or perhaps make them villains in their own right.

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Secret Wars: Maximum multiverse anarchy

Combining timelines, different universes, and characters from across the multiverse, Secret Wars promises to be the most ambitious MCU effort yet. This is not only another crossover event. Secret Wars might drastically alter the MCU by including other character incarnations and making them face their darkest selves. Marvel's most ambitious narrative experiments would find the ideal arena here.

Secret Wars distinguishes itself in its ability to unexpectedly bring back famous figures. Imagine seeing several Iron Man or Captain America incarnations with unique histories and motives. The multiverse is no longer only a whimsical turn-around. It's the near future of the MCU, we might say.

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Captain America and the Falcon: Sam Wilson and Joaquin Torres

Captain America: Brave New World revolves mostly around the relationship between Sam Wilson and Joaquin Torres. The new Falcon, Torres, stands for a clean start. All taken together, they are creating a legacy that seems more real and personal than ever.

Sam's development as Captain America transcends the mere passing of the baton. His path involves reinventing what it means to be a hero in a society that questions him nonstop. Sam struggles more than Steve Rogers does, which goes way beyond mere conflict. His battle also revolves around acceptance and fitting.

Joaquin gives the team young, modern vitality. Sam brings expertise and leadership; Torres brings creativity and flexibility. As the MCU enters multiverse anarchy, the pair is a potent alliance since they are the ideal mix of old and modern.

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Mutants, Weapon X, and MCU moving forward

The MCU couldn't even mention the word mutant years ago. Complicated rights questions meant that characters like Wolverine and the X-Men were off-limits. But that is all different now.

Marvel's insertion of adamantium might be their method of setting the stage for the mutant era. Given Wolverine's relationship with the metal and the Weapon X program, he is clearly a candidate for an MCU debut.

The entrance of mutants into the MCU also unlocks innumerable narratives. From the dark experiments of Weapon X to the fight for acceptance, the mutant narrative has great promise. Should Brave New World be establishing the foundation, the mutant period may not be as far off as we might believe.

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Multiverse crosses with K-pop: Stray Kids and Deadpool

The multiverse is altering the MCU more than that. It is invading the realm of music as well. Joining the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack with the song "Slash," the Stray Kids created waves, but the relationship goes far further. Deadpool and Wolverine practically bust the party in the group's "Chk Chk Boom" music video, fusing K-pop's explosive energy with Marvel's anarchy. (Or was it actually the other way around?) It is an epic crossover with fourth-wall-breaking power.

Let's not forget the Stray Kids' "Megaverse" teaser from 2023, either.

"Un, deux, trois, run along with the Gods/ Jumping between every verse/ The multiverse ain't ready for our universe (jump, force)/ First, second, third, fourth wall/ We're breakin' them all, unbeatable score/ Our composition brings the competition/ But we've already won in this megaverse"

But back to the "Chk Chk Boom" MV, when Ryan Reynolds, half-dressed as Deadpool, straight up asked Stray Kids members:

"Any chance that you're looking for a, you know... an older, less agile member, maybe?"

The group’s response? A playful and kind of mockingly and collective:

“Nah, no, neh.”

It was exactly the right dosage of SKZ humor packaged within Marvel-level craziness. Still, is that exactly what it is? It was a perfect dose of SKZ humor wrapped in Marvel-level madness. But is that it? Or will we have an MCU Megaverse incoming? After all, in the multiverse, nothing is off the table.