MCU’s Young Avengers Snub: Why Eli Bradley Was Left Out

In the movie “Captain America: Brave New World,” we saw the introduction of Red Hulk and the return of The Leader, but there was one character who should have been part of the scene that surprisingly didn’t appear. The excitement surrounding Marvel Cinematic Universe projects often lies in speculating about which characters or storylines might be introduced. For “Captain America: Brave New World,” these elements included mentions of Adamantium, Sam Wilson leading a new team of Avengers, and many other intriguing hints. Although the presence of Red Hulk, Leader, and Falcon was thrilling, it couldn’t compensate for the absence of a character who would have perfectly fit into “Captain America: Brave New World.

Captain America: A Bold New Era” unfolds after the Disney+ series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” where we find Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) in pivotal roles. The series delves into Sam’s internal struggle with assuming the role of Captain America and introduces the first African-American super-soldier, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly). Isaiah significantly impacted Sam’s decision to become the new Captain America and played a significant part in “Captain America: A Bold New Era.” However, the absence of Isaiah’s nephew, Eli Bradley (Elijah Richardson), was noticeable. Given that he is expected to be a future member of the Young Avengers, going by the superhero name Patriot, his non-appearance in this storyline is worth questioning.

Captain America: Brave New World could have set up the Young Avengers

In the film “Captain America: Brave New World,” Marvel had numerous storylines to manage, but one of the more straightforward was further establishing the foundation for the Young Avengers. Originating in 2005, the Young Avengers took over from Earth’s most powerful heroes following the events of “Avengers Disassembled.” Over time, the team has evolved, but its fanbase remains resilient. In essence, Marvel Studios has been subtly planting potential members of the Young Avengers across the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The journey began with “WandaVision,” which marked the debut of Marvel series on Disney+. This is where we were introduced to Billy, also known as Wiccan, and Tommy, who goes by Speed – the sons of Vision and Scarlet Witch. Following this was “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” introducing Eli, the nephew of Isaiah Bradley, who assumes the superhero identity of Patriot. In addition to these, other upcoming members of the Young Avengers we’ve seen in the MCU include Kate Bishop from “Hawkeye,” Kid Loki from “Loki,” America Chavez in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and Cassie Lang in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” This list doesn’t even account for Ironheart in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Despite not belonging to the Young Avengers in the original comics, Ms. Marvel has initiated the team’s formation within the MCU. In the movie “The Marvels”, a post-credits scene showed Ms. Marvel visiting Kate Bishop to discuss assembling a team, and hinted at her interest in Ant-Man’s daughter Cassie Lang. This suggests that the Young Avengers may appear in the MCU at some point, given that Wiccan was confirmed in the cast of “Agatha All Along”. The finale of this series saw Wiccan and Agatha embarking on a quest to find Wiccan’s brother, Tommy, who goes by Speed.

Why did Captain America: Brave New World neglect to include Patriot?

In the film titled “Captain America: Brave New World,” Isaiah Bradley was manipulated by the Leader as part of his malicious plan to retaliate against President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford. Initially, Isaiah was invited to the White House by Sam Wilson, but later found himself brainwashed by the Leader and assaulting President Ross, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. A possible scene could have been added where Sam checked up on Eli to see how he was coping, while another potential scene could have showcased training sessions involving Sam, Isaiah, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), and if feasible, Eli as well, to emphasize his presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and hint at his possible role in the Young Avengers.

There might be several explanations for why Eli didn’t appear in “Captain America: Brave New World”. It could be due to scheduling conflicts or trying to fit too many characters into the movie. The creators might have preferred to concentrate on Isaiah’s journey, avoiding confusing things with the addition of Eli. Additionally, reshoots involving Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder and the removal of scenes featuring WWE Superstar Seth Rollins might also play a role. However, it’s unclear if Eli was initially included in “Captain America: Brave New World” but had his parts removed; if that’s the case, it would be unfortunate.

I’m optimistic that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will reintroduce the character of Patriot sooner, rather than later, as every potential Young Avenger has been introduced on screen already. Given this, it’s only a matter of time before we see him in a Disney+ series or movie. Unfortunately, the film “Captain America: Brave New World” didn’t accelerate that timeline, but for the MCU’s Young Avengers to truly feel complete, they’ll need a hero inspired by Captain America.

Captain America: Brave New World” is now playing in cinemas: Marvel Cinematic Universe films and shows are available for streaming on Disney+.

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2025-02-18 23:43