Marvel Actor Confirms the Worst, 'Captain America 4' Has Been Filmed Twice

Production for Julius Onah’s Captain America: Brave New World (2025) has faced significant hurdles, leading to an extensive reshoot schedule. Reshoots are common in the film industry, particularly for large-scale projects such as those produced by Marvel Studios.

However, the reshoots for Brave New World (formerly New World Order) were rather extensive (although maybe not as intense as other Marvel sequels), considering that Kevin Feige’s studio added an entirely new character played by a TV icon, raising concerns among fans and industry insiders alike.

Many industry experts fear that the extensive reshoots could adversely affect the film’s narrative coherence and visual quality. The shift in tone or inconsistencies in character arcs due to these changes have been a point of contention.

Fans are keen to see how these rewrites will ultimately shape the story, especially as it marks Anthony Mackie’s first solo outing as Captain America in a Marvel Cinematic Universe feature film. Sam Wilson (Mackie) abandoned his Falcon persona in favor of becoming the new Cap in 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

One of the exciting aspects of Captain America: Brave New World is the return of Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader. Nelson first introduced this character in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and revisits his role after over fifteen years. His involvement connects the upcoming film to its earlier installments within the MCU.

Nelson recently confirmed he was “heartbroken” over the lack of sequels to the MCU’s early movie, The Incredible Hulk.

Being brought back into the MCU by [Marvel producers] Kevin [Feige] and Nate [Moore] and Kyana [F. Davidson] to be a villain alongside Giancarlo [Esposito] against Anthony Mackie has been a great honor,” Nelson told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s been a really interesting adventure.”

“I was heartbroken when it seemed I wasn’t going to come back as The Leader, but now I’m glad it took 16 years because it’s made the character more interesting,” the actor continued. “And I’ve gotten to do a lot of other great stuff during those 16 years that maybe wouldn’t have come my way if I had played the lead villain character in a Hulk sequel two years after Edward Norton’s Hulk.”

It wasn’t just his views on The Leader’s future that Nelson shared with the outlet. He also spoke about the aforementioned reshoots that had taken place (something commonplace for any major blockbuster, not just Marvel), confirming that he had filmed his parts “twice.”

“Well, we’re done. I’ve shot it. I’ve actually shot it twice because I did it originally a year ago, and then we came back and redid a lot of it at the beginning of it this summer,” Nelson said.

While the exact reasons for these revisions have not been publicly clarified, early test screenings reportedly received mixed feedback.

Only time will tell if the reshoots were worth it in the end. The film is not necessarily in the best of graces with its potential audience.

Adding further intrigue to the cast is Giancarlo Esposito, whom Nelson mentioned in his interview and is the actor who Marvel added during the reshoots. He is set to portray Seth Voelker, AKA Sidewinder. His character is anticipated to introduce fresh conflict and dynamics against Mackie’s Captain America.

In a noteworthy casting move, Harrison Ford is making his MCU debut as General Thaddeus Ross, AKA Thunderbolt Ross (AKA Red Hulk…), replacing the late William Hurt. Ford’s character is significant in the overarching narrative as he seeks to enlist Captain America to assist in rebuilding the Avengers. His persona and legacy from previous roles, such as Han Solo in the Star Wars saga, bring a substantial presence to the project, garnering excitement among audiences and critics alike.

Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly round out the cast as Joaquin Torres/Falcon and Isaiah Bradley, respectively. Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier will not be present.

The casting of Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph (AKA Sabra, the Israeli superhero in Marvel Comics), has sparked considerable controversy. Originating from the comics, Sabra has been critiqued for her representation, which some feel could perpetuate stereotypes and insensitivity regarding real-world conflicts, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

This aspect of Captain America: Brave New World has become a focal point for discussions around cultural representation within the MCU.

In light of the backlash, several online campaigns have emerged calling for a boycott of the film. Activists and fans argue that the character’s portrayal could be seen as endorsing problematic narratives related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even after Marvel confirmed it would be dropping her Sabra persona. This growing dissatisfaction amplifies the scrutiny faced by Marvel Studios in light of societal sensitivities surrounding representations in media.

Fan reactions to early information and trailer footage have been divided. Some have expressed enthusiasm for the character’s introduction while others condemn it as a potential misstep for Marvel. The contrasting opinions underscore the broader dialogue surrounding diversity and representation in contemporary media, highlighting the challenges Marvel faces as it strives to balance creative storytelling with social responsibility.

Related: Marvel Is Being Forced to Scrap Troubled MCU Movie as New Information Comes To Light

The film’s connections to The Incredible Hulk—which also include the return of Liv Tyler as Betty Ross—reinforce Marvel’s approach to interweaving stories across its cinematic universe. By revisiting established characters and plots, Captain America: Brave New World potentially enriches the overall narrative framework of the MCU, making it a pivotal installment leading to future storylines.

As the MCU continues to expand, Captain America: Brave New World is anticipated to be a cornerstone that introduces new elements while tying previous arcs together.

Related: Report: Marvel Quietly Axes Upcoming Projects, Goes All in on ‘Spider-Man’ Instead

With prominently featured characters like The Leader and General Ross, the film could serve as a launching pad for upcoming projects such as Thunderbolts* (2025), further entwining the varied narratives that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

However, with Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) became a box office sensation for Marvel and Disney, Captain America: Brave New World has a lot riding on its star-spangled shoulders.

The movie, directed by Julius Onah from a screenplay by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier creator Malcolm Spellman and writers Dalan Musson and Matthew Orton, is slated for release on February 14, 2025, as part of Marvel Phase Five.

How do you feel about the direction of Captain America: Brave New World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!