Over the last few months, Captain America: Brave New World has been undergoing significant changes during its reshoots. In fact, these reshoots may continue up until just weeks before the film’s release in 2025. The scale of these reshoots is notable, even by Marvel standards, signaling that the film might be facing more extensive adjustments than we’re used to seeing.
Reshoots in Response to Test Screenings
According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, these reshoots aim to alter substantial portions of the film. They’re revising the Serpent Society storyline, reworking the character Sabra, and making adjustments to the action sequences and the ending. Even the post-credit scenes are being re-shot to better tie into the Multiverse Saga and the upcoming Avengers films. In many ways, it feels like Marvel is shooting a whole new movie.
These extensive reshoots follow reports that test screenings from last year didn’t go well. Audience reactions were described as lackluster, with criticism aimed at the action sequences and the overall plot, which left many viewers confused. Despite the reshoots, a recent round of test screenings reportedly produced similarly underwhelming feedback, raising concerns about the film’s direction.
New Test Screenings – What Happened?
Recently, an article published by World of Reel under the headline “Captain America: Brave New World Bombs at Test Screenings” discussed these issues in detail. The report mentioned that two different cuts of the film were test-screened last week, and while some plot details leaked online, the general audience response was far from positive. The film has been described as “inessential” and “flat,” with little to make it stand out within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The reshoots, which started in August 2023, are still ongoing and will likely continue for some time. In fact, three major action sequences are scheduled to be re-shot between May and August 2024. Adding to the pressure, Marvel recently hired Matthew Orton to write additional scenes. However, his material hasn’t even been filmed yet, meaning there’s still a lot of work to be done.
The Confusion Over Test Screenings
There was some confusion about whether two different versions of the film were shown during the recent screenings. Daniel Richtman clarified that while attendees were split into two groups with different color-coded wristbands, they were shown the same version of the film. It seems the groups were simply asked for different types of feedback, which may have caused some of the misunderstanding. Nevertheless, only one version of the film’s plot details has surfaced online.
What This Means for Captain America: Brave New World
It’s concerning that after all the work Marvel has put into reworking the film, audience feedback remains tepid. While test screenings represent a small sample size, the fact that the film is receiving such consistent negative feedback suggests that there may be deeper issues at play.
One concern is whether the film will manage to capture the energy and excitement expected from a Captain America movie. Fans have grown accustomed to a certain level of emotional depth, action, and connection from the MCU. If the writing or character development falls short, no amount of reshoots or CGI can fix these fundamental flaws.
This has been a recurring issue for Marvel in recent projects. For example, while shows like Loki season 2 and X-Men ’97 have managed to hit the right notes for fans, others have felt lackluster and failed to deliver the kind of satisfaction that comic book enthusiasts crave. The fear is that Brave New World could suffer the same fate, leaving audiences disappointed.
Looking Ahead
Despite these concerns, I’m staying optimistic about Captain America: Brave New World. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about this film. The casting of Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross is a great choice, and I’m personally a fan of Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson’s Captain America. He has a lot of potential to bring a fresh take on the character, and his story will play a significant role in the upcoming Avengers films.
At the same time, it’s important to manage our expectations. The MCU has evolved significantly since the early days of Iron Man and The First Avenger, and while we might long for the nostalgia of those films, it’s unlikely that any new entry in the franchise will recreate that same magic. The sheer number of films and shows in the MCU now means that each new project has to stand out in its own way—something Brave New World will need to achieve if it hopes to resonate with fans.
Final Thoughts
There’s still plenty of time for Marvel to make necessary adjustments before Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters. With a $350 million budget and an extensive reshoot schedule, it’s clear that they’re sparing no expense to get this right. The real question is whether these changes will be enough to elevate the film and meet fan expectations.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out. But one thing is certain: Marvel has its work cut out for it, and fans will be watching closely.
