How ‘Brave New World’ Sets Up ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

This article may reveal crucial plot points from the after-film sequence of Captain America: Brave New World, so please be aware if you haven’t seen it yet.

The director of “Captain America: Brave New World,” Julius Onah, has hinted that the post-credits scene featuring Sam Wilson and Samuel Sterns could be a reference to the Illuminati, a powerful Marvel supergroup consisting of characters like Black Bolt, Black Panther, Namor, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, and Professor X. These characters were previously depicted (in slightly altered forms) in “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.

In this video, we’re going to delve into the significance of the Illuminati team, a key element in the Marvel Comics narrative that underpins the upcoming “Avengers” movies like “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars”. We’ll discuss their unique traits compared to the Avengers, their role in the “incursions” concept, and how they contribute to the unfolding of events seen in “Secret Wars”. Give our detailed explanation a watch below:

If you enjoyed the video about how “Captain America: Brave New World” connects to “Avengers: Doomsday”, don’t forget to explore more content from us! We have a video that dives deep into the plot inconsistencies and unanswered questions in “Brave New World”. Additionally, we’ve got one highlighting all the Marvel Easter eggs hidden within “Captain America: Brave New World”. Lastly, we’ve analyzed the ending and post-credits scene of “Brave New World” for you. You can find even more videos on our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. “Captain America: Brave New World” is currently playing in cinemas near you.

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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

35. Eternals

Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and inspired by some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in one of the least indispensable titles. Regrettably, the movie Eternals failed to coalesce effectively. It generally adheres to Kirby’s primary concepts with minor yet bothersome alterations, such as transforming the malevolent Deviants into faceless monsters devoid of objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the principal characters – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – find it challenging to convey their supposedly ardent romance (a relationship spanning 6,000 years; they appear as though they’re on their inaugural date and it’s going disastrously). The script occasionally delves into intriguing themes concerning the bonds between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to recurrently forsake them in favor of routine fight sequences involving monotonous adversaries. It is challenging to conceive a more tedious film about immortal extraterrestrial robots striving to thwart imminent apocalypse than this one.

34. The Incredible Hulk

The production of this movie seems hastily put together, as if Marvel was taken aback when Iron Man turned out to be a hit and they rushed it into production. Casting Tim Roth as the world’s supreme soldier is a decision Loki himself might find questionable, given that he transforms into a rather unimpressive, bony creature. (Continue reading here.)

The movie looks like it was made in a hurry after Iron Man became popular. I’m not sure if even Loki would approve of the choice to cast Tim Roth as a world-class soldier who turns into a rather unappealing, bony monster. (Continue reading here.)

33. Thor: The Dark World

Instead of almost having Patty Jenkins’ Thor, we ended up with a film that felt rather gloomy, focusing on a monotonous pursuit of a mystical object – the MacGuffin. One could argue that this less-than-stellar movie performance might have prevented Marvel from taking risks and eventually creating the vibrant and unconventional Thor: Ragnarok. (Read more here.)

32. The Marvels

This Marvel film isn’t the worst in the franchise, as it outranks three others, but it’s arguably the most disorganized and intense. The trio of captivating Marvel characters – Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau – are haphazardly thrown into a mission to prevent a Kree warlord from causing havoc for unclear reasons. The actors shine together, but the plot, despite being concise, is bewilderingly chaotic with odd decisions that hardly make sense.

31. Captain America: Brave New World

In a different scenario, the appropriate setting, but the wrong narrative. This sentiment applies quite well to several recent Marvel movies, such as The Marvels, and it’s particularly applicable to Captain America: Brave New World. Despite giving Anthony Mackie’s captivating Sam Wilson his own film, this production unfortunately features a dull antagonist and a plot littered with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk, including the intriguing question of what became of Betty Ross – a query that left us all on the edge of our seats, I assume.

30. Doctor Strange

Intriguing imagery is appreciated, but “Doctor Strange” seems to fall short of being something truly distinct, often appearing as an extension of “Iron Man 2” with a magical twist. However, kudos for the smart ending involving Dormammu. On the other hand, the eccentric cape left a bit to be desired. (For further reading, check this out (here).)

The imaginative aesthetics in “Doctor Strange” are captivating, but it struggles to break free from feeling like an upgraded “Iron Man 2” with a mystical twist. Nevertheless, the clever resolution with Dormammu was commendable. Unfortunately, the quirky cape did not hit the mark. (For more details, visit this (here).)

29. Iron Man 2

Despite being better than you might recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skill can mask many flaws, but not all of them. If about 15 minutes of setup for the Avengers were removed from this, it could potentially be quite impressive. (Continue reading here.)

28. Ant-Man

The Ant-Man film isn’t terrible, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what we might have had with Edgar Wright at the helm. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the best non-superpowered characters in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. (You can read more about it [here](http://exampleurl).)

Ant-Man isn’t a bad movie, but it’s hard to watch without feeling like we missed out on a bigger and better film that Edgar Wright was originally going to make. However, Michael Peña delivers an outstanding performance as Luis, one of the most memorable characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who doesn’t have any superpowers. (You can read more about it [here](http://exampleurl).)

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Ant-Man isn’t a bad flick, but watching it makes you wonder what a bigger and better movie Edgar Wright might have made. Nevertheless, Michael Peña gives an unforgettable performance as Luis, one of the most impressive characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who doesn’t possess any superpowers. (You can read more about it [here](http://exampleurl).)

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In the battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself, portrayed by Jonathan Majors, admits that Scott Lang is in over his head. This seemingly lopsided matchup symbolizes the film itself: The quaint, low-stakes universe of the Ant-Man series, with its dry wit and lovable characters, struggle to compete against the grandiose multiversal saga of Marvel Phase 5.

On the big screen, it’s a passable Marvel adventure. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short. Unfortunately, if you were hoping for more of Michael Peña’s character Luis in this installment, you’ll be disappointed, as he doesn’t appear at all.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its tiny aspects, featuring Paul Rudd’s humorous exchanges with his co-actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt soliloquies, and a personal, intimate story about a fractured family striving to mend their relationships. (Read more .)

25. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers is arguably the strongest character, yet her movie seemed to fall short in terms of emotional impact. However, it managed to stay engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos and Samuel L. Jackson, along with his convincingly de-aged visual effects, portraying a younger Nick Fury. (You can read more about it here.)

24. Black Widow

In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s anticipated solo film “Black Widow” was released, freeing her from the Avengers. However, instead of a standout role, she primarily supported the other members of her sarcastic Russian superhero team, including David Harbour as the self-centered Red Guardian and Florence Pugh as the attention-grabbing Yelena. Consequently, “Black Widow” might not have been the fitting farewell the character deserved. Regardless, it’s another well-executed Marvel production, featuring some stunning stunt sequences, and an intriguing villain in Taskmaster, who can copy the combat skills of any adversary he encounters.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Observing Taika Waititi’s second Thor film, titled “Thor: Love and Thunder,” seems somewhat akin to witnessing a magician performing the same spellbinding trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance was breathtakingly captivating. However, while the second act retains its charm, it lacks the shock value of the first. Christian Bale delivers an unsettling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, but his intense and deeply emotional villain character doesn’t quite harmonize with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his continuous banter. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” boasts all the key components as Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” yet they don’t blend together as smoothly this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

In this film, the chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is outstanding, with surprising cameos that will leave you speechless. However, the story seems to push the limits of how much backstory a movie can have without becoming confusing. (One character’s tragic past might be enough, but in this case, there are at least two!) If you can manage to not think too hard about what’s happening on screen, you’ll likely enjoy it. The actors do a great job portraying Deadpool and Wolverine reluctantly teaming up to save the Fox X-Men universe. You might find yourself wishing that the writers, including Reynolds himself, had provided a slightly clearer narrative.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

A less conventional take on “Iron Man 2”: Less enjoyable than you might recall, yet still worth watching. The promotional materials exaggerated the conspiracy aspect, but Anthony Mackie’s Falcon significantly enhances the series, and Chris Evans delivers a solid performance as Captain America. Nonetheless, it bothers me that Nick Fury, the world’s most accomplished spy, was oblivious to the fact that nearly everyone in SHIELD except for him and his two companions were utterly corrupt. Really, Nick? Wake up! (For further reading, check out this article.)

20. Avengers: Infinity War

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that the grandeur and audacity of this film are unmatched (and its ending is truly iconic), yet something seems amiss. If your preference in Marvel movies leans towards non-stop action with a sprinkle of witty remarks, then this film should suit you just fine. However, if what you crave from these cinematic adventures is a deeper exploration of characters and their relationships, the quieter moments amidst the battles, I’m afraid this movie might not resonate as deeply with you. (You can read more about it here.)

19. Iron Man 3

The film was generally enjoyable, but its quality was slightly diminished by being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The storyline culminated in Tony Stark deciding to leave his Iron Man life behind, only for him to appear in several more movies afterward. Guy Pearce’s character, Killian, didn’t live up to expectations, but Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with the clever child were superb. (You can read more here.)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Initially: The final scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing within a dense gray fog, is a chaotic display of poor CGI. Apart from that, Shang-Chi could be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The bus fight in San Francisco is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads up one of the more profound Marvel ensembles, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering nuanced supporting roles, while Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently provide humor through their scenes. (Kingsley as the former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, may not have been a popular Marvel villain initially, but Marvel has successfully transformed him into an endearing sidekick.).

17. Thor

In an unprecedented twist, this epic, sprawling across the cosmos, predominantly unfolds in… the tiniest town of New Mexico. Despite the flaws that plague Thor, it stands out as the initial Marvel film where exceptional acting and captivating performances managed to overshadow structural and script problems, a trait that later became synonymous with Marvel productions. (Continue reading here.)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In the task of crafting “Wakanda Forever,” director Ryan Coogler encountered an exceptionally tough predicament: Apart from creating a sequel worthy of the original “Black Panther,” he had to accomplish this feat without Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, just as filming was set to commence. Coogler’s approach shines most when he seamlessly weaves the collective grief over Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its monarch. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie can be a bit disorganized; it’s filled with intriguing concepts, numerous characters, and a somewhat unclear antagonist, King Namor from the depths of the ocean.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The plot lacks credibility, even for a moment’s consideration, and the entire film is crafted to culminate in an epic confrontation between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. To put it simply: Wow! That airport battle is incredibly thrilling! (Read more here.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, we find a level of quality similar to Sam Raimi’s third installment. Both films are packed with numerous villains, which can be a pro or con depending on your perspective. However, this film does an exceptional job at portraying the charm and relatability of Peter Parker as a character – a man who frequently falls short but is always determined to correct his mistakes in the future. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of the multiverse into Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films on a grand scale, making an impactful mark in the ongoing storyline.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

15 years since my last Marvel venture, I, Sam Raimi, dived back into the universe of these iconic heroes with a thrilling, unorthodox adventure that hangs in the balance of the multiverse’s fate. As a nod to my past work on the Spider-Man films, I seamlessly blended my signature elements – a dash of absurd humor, a horde of deranged zombies, and a few jump scares – into the more conventional Marvel mold. (You can read more about it here.)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Despite some criticisms that it’s not as great as the initial Avengers film and acknowledging that Wanda and Pietro’s storyline could use improvement, I find the climactic scene where all the Avengers unite to rescue every single soul in Sokovia to be quintessentially Marvel at its finest. (Continue reading .)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

The sequel to Marvel’s lighthearted franchise is excessively long, featuring at least four post-credits scenes. The audacity of turning this jovial series into a film with such a somber ending is noteworthy. It’s the only Marvel movie that manages to make me shed tears, and it even includes jokes about cosmic deity phallic symbols. In my opinion, this unique blend of emotions makes for an unbeatable combination. (Read more here.)
The sequel to Marvel’s jokiest franchise is overly lengthy, boasting at least four post-credits scenes. The fact that they dared to turn this cheerful series into a movie with such a downbeat ending is commendable. It’s the only Marvel film that can make me cry and it also has jokes about divine members. In my book, that combination is unbeatable. (Read more here.)

Both versions maintain the original meaning while using slightly different words to convey the message in a natural and easy-to-read manner.

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

In the second Spidey movie by Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the incredible web-slinger, the film slightly drops behind its predecessor but offers an abundance of romance, action, humor, and emotion. The phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” may not be explicitly stated, but “Far From Home” explores this concept just as deeply as any other Spider-Man movie. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, finds himself in a complex situation, torn between his feelings for MJ (Zendaya’s humorous and witty interpretation) and his duties from Nick Fury (Jackson’s comical yet irritable performance), who tasks him with stopping a group of elemental villains.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn skillfully concludes his Guardians trilogy, delivering a movie that perfectly blends the Marvel essence: Thrilling action sequences, quirky sci-fi visuals, and authentic characters whose stories we deeply care about. By the finale of Volume 3, Rocket Raccoon, once a secondary character in Marvel, has evolved into one of their most compelling and tragic heroes. After a series of less impressive films, Gunn effortlessly makes it seem simple. Unfortunately, he’s moving on to manage DC productions now.

7. Avengers: Endgame

A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably the second-best Avengers film, boasting massive action sequences, abundant humor, and potentially a record number of Easter eggs in any movie across all cinematic universes. (Read more [here].)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s films that keep audiences coming back, this one boasts memorable characters, thrilling Spider-Man sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he graciously performs. Aren’t you hooked? (For more details, click here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

At halfway through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the initial “Guardians” film marked a turning point for Marvel, demonstrating that their reputation was robust enough to draw audiences to relatively unknown properties. Prior to James Gunn’s direction, the Guardians were merely an obscure mention; however, he transformed them into a massive surprise hit. It is indisputable and self-evident that Rocket is the finest among the Guardians – this is simply a fact, so there’s no need for debate. (For more information, check it out (here).)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Despite some structural issues, such as the abridged portrayal of an entire war through a montage, Chris Evans’ Captain America stands out as a remarkable adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film breathed life into a character who had often been criticized for being too dull or outdated, transforming him into a charismatic, complex individual embodied by human values that resonate deeply. It’s an ideal choice when you need a cinematic boost of inspiration. [Read more here.]

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for expansive connections across the universe, “Black Panther” demonstrates the strength in a more isolated strategy. The film’s conclusion, where Black Panther decides to share Wakanda with the world and allow its characters to appear elsewhere, is intended to be uplifting. However, if this decision leads to a future sequel that is less focused and filled with numerous guest appearances, it might not be as satisfying. (Source: [ScreenRant](https://screenrant.com/black-panther-2-sequel-problems-issues/))

2. The Avengers

Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains a stunning feat. Each character is skillfully balanced, the script is concise, and the climactic Battle of New York stands as one of the most impressive action sequences of this century. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

The original movie remains unmatched to this day. Looking back, being free from the constraints of a broader universe greatly enhanced its quality. The scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark testing his armor and subsequently flying for the first time conveyed the exhilaration of superpowers more effectively than any film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or elsewhere has done so far. [Read more here.]

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2025-02-26 17:55