What Captain America: Brave New World Teaches Us About Character Depth in the MCU

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Brave New World” fell short in telling a compelling Sam Wilson story as it primarily focused on someone else’s journey. Despite this, the antagonist, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, experienced significant character development that made him less abrasive and more relatable to the audience. This growth provided a strong emotional core for the movie, even though the main character lacked a notable arc in his own film.

Ross’ narrative didn’t reach its full potential as a secondary plotline, but it proved impactful for fundamental, crucial aspects. The elements that worked well and those that fell short offer valuable insights that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could benefit from in future projects.

The MCU Should Tell More Stories From Non-Hero Perspectives

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) seldom focuses on stories about non-superheroes, but when it does, it achieves significant success, both critically and commercially. For instance, the groundbreaking superhero film Avengers: Infinity War is narrated from Thanos’ perspective. Similarly, Black Panther, a blockbuster hit and the franchise’s only Best Picture nominee, is equally about Killmonger as it is about T’Challa.

The franchise has achieved success by delving into their antagonists’ narratives. A significant factor contributing to Captain America: Civil War‘s acclaim in the MCU is that it provides a convincing motive for Baron Zemo’s hatred towards the Avengers, making us reconsider Earth’s mightiest heroes and adding depth to the group beyond the film itself. Similarly, Loki became a cornerstone of the franchise because the Thor series provided insight into his motivations for performing evil deeds. In the same vein, if Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings were not careful to portray Tony Leung’s Wenwu with respect, the film would have been less impactful.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thaddeus Ross may have previously defended some understandable viewpoints, yet he was never portrayed as a hero. Instead, he consistently came across as a dislikable adversary. However, it wasn’t until the film “Captain America: Brave New World” that his character underwent a transformation, becoming more than just a stereotypical cigar-chomping general in someone else’s narrative. In this movie, he was given depth and a backstory that made him a character worth caring about.

In this film, he stood out as one of the most compelling characters despite its flaws, primarily because he was humanized in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. This general, who is typically associated with strength and power, was portrayed as a regular individual dealing with flaws and vulnerabilities amidst a world filled with enhanced beings. His motivation wasn’t rooted in an ambition that few can comprehend; instead, it stemmed from something universally relatable – a father desperately trying to set things right before time ran out for him as an aging parent.

Although Ross seemed influential in the MCU, his role primarily consisted of occupying a position rather than acting as a true hero. He often presented an impediment to the genuine heroes. In essence, any prominent figure—military or political—could have performed similar tasks without altering any scenes he was in. However, this time around, Ross became a character with a compelling backstory that demanded our emotional attachment. This addition significantly enhanced the movie, which is a valuable lesson for Marvel Studios to remember. The MCU has always excelled at narrating heroic tales, but it also shines when telling stories about non-heroes. Given the scarcity of such stories in their repertoire, there lies a wealth of creative potential on the less-explored side of the hero/villain spectrum.

Remember to Give Major Characters an Actual Arc

This seems so very, very obvious, and yet….

As a fervent fan, I must admit that “Captain America: Brave New World” isn’t the initial Marvel Cinematic Universe film to stray from fundamental storytelling principles. Lately, it seems the franchise has been overlooking a crucial aspect – giving main characters their own narratives, not just tasks to perform. The heart of any story is its central figure undergoing transformation through confronting and resolving a particular conflict. This is where themes are born, and they are the very essence of storytelling.

In their respective films, neither Sam Wilson nor Scott Lang underwent significant character development; instead, they were merely present while events occurred to others. They started and ended these movies as the same individuals they were at the beginning. This is problematic by itself. However, it becomes even more disappointing when M.O.D.O.K., a villain from Ant-Man’s universe, receives a more substantial arc in an Ant-Man movie than Ant-Man himself.

In a more natural and easy-to-read way, you could say:

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever experienced a similar issue, although to a lesser extent. The movie seemed to forget about Shuri’s deeply personal and emotional storyline for much of the film, only revisiting it towards the end (in the third act). While she did undergo a change, it didn’t seem as impactful as it could have been given her initial emotional connection to the story.

In the story of President Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, while it wasn’t perfect in terms of storytelling, it did manage to get the fundamentals correct. Ross had a consistent and understandable (though not always justifiable) reason behind his actions and intentions. However, a fresh conflict, which carried significant emotional weight due to his role in its creation, disrupted his plans. He addressed this issue and underwent a transformation as a result. The Ross at the beginning of the movie would never have confessed to his mistakes publicly, as the Ross at the end did. This confession allowed him to achieve one thing he truly desired: regaining his daughter’s trust and affection, which brought about a genuine sense of empathy.

It seems even the most renowned film studio like Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) oughtn’t require a refresher on this fundamental idea of storytelling. Lately, however, it appears they may have overlooked this essential principle.

Don’t Sacrifice Story for Spectacle

Ross could potentially offer the most intriguing narrative for “Captain America: Brave New World,” but the movie might have been more effective if it delved deeper into this tale. As a secondary character, there were fewer instances showcasing his emotional struggles and introspection compared to what the story required. (Additionally, it’s disappointing that two crucial scenes felt awkwardly staged, as if a real human wasn’t involved in filming them.) However, the movie’s chosen narrative could have been even more impactful had it avoided showing the Red Hulk entirely. The presence of this monster detracted from the storyline that the film aimed to convey.

It’s challenging to advise a superhero film not to feature the long-awaited giant, enraged monster – the Red Hulk – who fans have been eagerly anticipating for over 15 years. Marvel Cinematic Universe films are not subtle, introspective dramas. Instead, they are grand, vibrant narratives akin to mythological stories of gods and monsters clashing. The thrilling White House-destroying scene with Red Hulk was undeniably in line with this style. However, it wasn’t entirely truthful about the circumstances leading up to his appearance.

In my perspective, Ross’ journey towards self-redemption amidst his internal struggle to suppress his darkest impulses in a last-ditch effort to make amends for past transgressions would have been more impactful if his narrative had indeed triumphed over those instincts. Granted, the Red Hulk emerged due to an unintended gamma radiation exposure, but it was his anger that brought about this transformation – a trait characteristic of the old Ross. It would have resonated stronger if we witnessed him transform into a better man without first turning into the colossal, enraged figure first.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), they opted to prioritize visual impact over narrative depth when telling part of their story. They aimed for a balance between presenting Red Hulk and having General Ross’s transformation occur off-screen, through a confession. While this approach was successful, it could have been more effective if handled differently. It didn’t fully deliver on the authenticity that such a significant character development deserved. Given that the main character in this film didn’t receive a standalone story, it was crucial to present Ross’s transformation as powerfully as possible.

In every instance, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has consistently provided stunning visual experiences. This was evidently demonstrated in “Captain America: Brave New World.” However, many insignificant films and unmemorable series can also offer such spectacles. To sustain a remarkable cinematic universe, it must constantly engage us emotionally by making us invest in the characters’ stories. That’s what keeps us returning.

Embrace Your Characters’ Deep MCU Past

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has an unprecedented challenge: it seems to have aged quickly compared to most franchises. Since 2008, when Iron Man debuted, Marvel Studios has churned out a staggering 34 more movies (and counting), while Lucasfilm, another Disney-owned juggernaut, has “only” released 12 Star Wars films in the same timeframe. When you add in all the MCU TV shows, specials, and other Marvel releases due to the multiverse, it’s an enormous body of work. It becomes increasingly challenging for the MCU to avoid repetition and create fresh, original content rather than rehashing old material.

In the story of Thunderbolt Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, we see how the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) age can be a powerful advantage. Ross’ character, with its familiarity from past appearances, had a greater impact than other antagonists with similar story arcs. The audience’s prior knowledge of him added weight to his attempts at change, making it more significant. Moreover, the fact that we were aware of how long he’d been distant from his daughter intensified the narrative. Furthermore, by reintroducing two characters from earlier in the series, the film underscored the idea that investing time and emotion into the entire MCU offers richer rewards.

In a period when the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has moved away from the continuous narrative it once relied on to establish its dominance, delving back into the extensive histories of its characters provides a means of rekindling that spirit. The fact that Betty Ross and Samuel Sterns, who seemed to have been sidelined, play significant roles in Ross’ story demonstrates that past events continue to hold significance and will always be relevant. This serves as additional motivation for us to dedicate our time, effort, and emotions to these narratives in the future.

We yearn for nothing more, not just after these many years, but as long as Disney continues producing MCU films and shows. We crave reasons to keep feeling invested. We seek tales and characters that stir our emotions. If Marvel Studios can achieve this depth of feeling with Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, they can do it for anyone.

Mike Walsh, currently a staff writer at TopMob, advocates for a rehabilitation storyline for Justin Hammer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You can keep up with his thoughts on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike. Additionally, he’s worth following if you’re interested in rankings of Targaryen kings as well.

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2025-03-01 00:04