Captain America: The Untold Story Behind the Film’s Creative Journey

After the eliminated participants were completely removed from the film and subsequent rewrites led to new ones being included later in production, it’s understandable (and quite evident) why additional filming occurred in the final version of Captain America: Brave New World. For director Julius Onah, however, the discussions around how significant this seems to have been exaggerated significantly.

In a conversation with Brandon Davis on Phase Hero, the filmmaker, who took on Sam Wilson’s story after the events of Falcon and the Winter Soldier, clarified, “We only undertook one round of additional photography, which is customary for all of these movies, and it’s just part of the filmmaking process at this scale. When considering numerous films that you admire, such as Star Wars, Jaws, and Lord of the Rings, this is an integral part of the journey.”

This isn’t the first occasion an MCU entry has undergone modifications. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was allegedly influenced by Spider-Man: No Way Home and Loki, prompting reshoots to further explore the multiverse. “When you’re crafting something of this magnitude, numerous factors mean that additional photography becomes necessary for something we know audiences will appreciate,” added Onah. “Ultimately, it benefits viewers by ensuring this is the best movie it can be.”

This isn’t the first instance where Onah has faced criticism for decisions made behind the scenes regarding Brave New World. A notable omission from the film was WWE superstar Seth Rollins, who was completely eliminated from the film. The remainder of the Serpent Society, originally poised to be a major threat in the movie, was reduced to Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder. Discussing the change with ComicBook.com, Onah admitted, “When you’re adapting characters like Serpent Society from comics, known for being individuals dressed as snakes with snake-like abilities, you’re continuously evolving and seeking the version that fits best in a film of this nature.”

This was a difficult decision for Onah, as directing such a major title comes with its challenges. “I respect Seth; he’s amazing. But as we were developing, we recognized that we had a session for additional photography, which is something we planned early on in the process.”

You can also catch Captain America: Brave New World in theaters before the Thunderbolts continue the Marvel cinematic journey on May 2. You can learn all about that eclectic group of heroes in our feature here.