Marvel used to be great at teeing up paramount events, but recently, the studio has fallen short. Captain America: Brave New World, for example, was supposed to begin assembling the next era of the Avengers, except the movie felt like a 90-minute self-imposed torture for Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). It was just Cap getting beat down at every turn—nothing else.
On top of wasting an opportunity to paint the new star-spangled hero in a positive light, there was little to no talk of the next Avengers team. Wilson agreed to recruit Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) once he recuperates, but that doesn't explain the neglected layups.
For instance, Agent Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas) would've made a great candidate to ask. She's a former Red Room soldier, like Natasha Romanoff, loyal to protecting their fictional United States government, which makes her a perfect Black Widow.
Sam Wilson witnessed Agent Seraph's expertise in combat, as well as her fierce level of loyalty to the cause. She would undoubtedly be a beneficial addition to the team, and yet, Wilson never broaches the subject of the Avengers. He has multiple opportunities before and after the action, but nothing happens.
Ruth isn't the only Avengers-worthy recruit in the film. Thunderbolt Ross (Harrison Ford) should be on the board, too. While he's guilty of questionable actions in the past, his new abilities as the Red Hulk give him a purpose. Audiences witnessed how Bruce Banner turned his curse into a gift. Ross can do the same, specifically on the newest iteration of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
Oddly enough, those two superhero-adjacent characters aren't the only ones worthy of a spot on the team. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) made a cameo in Brave New World that should've at least hinted at his future on the Avengers, except he vanished as quickly as he appeared. Audiences have probably reasoned that Bucky is a member of the Thunderbolts, except that's a premature assessment. He's only part of the team for as long as Valentina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) controls him, and the remaining world's heroes won't allow one of the most dangerous assassins alive to go on another tear. Besides, there are multiple precedents of friends close to Bucky breaking through the Cold War conditioning. It isn't as challenging as it once was.
Despite all the wasted opportunities, Marvel Studios probably intends to make those heroes members of the team. Whether it's now or later, odds are the next Avengers will include Sam Wilson, Thaddeus "Red Hulk" Ross, Agent Seraph, Joaquin "Falcon" Torres, and Bucky Barnes.
Captain America: Brave New World is in theaters everywhere.