Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New World.Captain America: Brave New World has allowed the titular hero to continue on in the MCU, setting up a new direction for his story that has room to grow in a potential . When Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers passed the Captain America shield onto Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson at the end of Avengers: Endgame, it meant that the door was open for a new iteration of the character to take center stage along with new allies. The MCU’s latest release follows Sam as he asserts himself in his new position while in the middle of an international conflict.

The film brings back some familiar long-time MCU characters like Sam, Thaddeus Ross, and Samuel Sterns, while newer characters like Joaquin Torres, Ruth Bat-Seraph, and Sidewinder are also introduced alongside them. With all the new developments in Captain America: Brave New World, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Marvel already has a sequel in the works. Though nothing is confirmed about a future project just yet, the film sets up plenty of potential directions for Captain America 5 to go in.

Mackie has confirmed that he will be returning in the culminating projects of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. This comes as no surprise as one of Ross’ requests in Brave New World is for Sam to restart the Avengers. Captain America has always been a leader for the team, and that doesn’t have to change just because the person behind the shield has. Despite Mackie’s continuing presence in the MCU, though, there has been no confirmation for Captain America 5.

Captain America: Brave New World has just hit theaters and there is still plenty of time for a sequel project to develop, even if there’s been no official word yet. Though reception for the film has been all over the place, . The studio has only touched the surface of Sam’s new identity as Captain America, and this would help keep the Captain America franchise fresh despite already having four films.

If a sequel to Captain America: Brave New World happens, it would have to mean that Mackie’s Sam returns. Danny Ramirez would likely reprise his role as Joaquin as well. He’s taken on the position of a trusted sidekick, and Sam told him to be ready to suit up when the Avengers inevitably return. Shira Haas' Ruth and Xosha Roquemore's Leila Taylor solidified themselves as allies to Sam, meaning they could join forces with him once again in the future. Carl Lumbly's Isaiah Bradley is also a friend of Sam’s who can be trusted to be by his side.

Considering that no characters died in the film, it’s fair to assume that any of them could return. Thaddeus Ross has been a longstanding MCU character and Brave New World marks the first project in a while where he plays a major part. Ross ends the film being held in The Raft and, despite his declining health, it’s unlikely that his Red Hulk story will end there. The criminal organization The Serpent Society was also briefly introduced, and Sam may need to investigate Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder and his intentions going forward.

Even if nothing is confirmed about a sequel project yet, there are plenty of moments in Captain America: Brave New World that imply that a sequel is necessary. The biggest hint is during Captain America: Brave New World's post-credits scene where Sam goes to visit Samuel Sterns, who is also being held in prison. Samuel warns him that a bigger multiversal threat is coming that Sam may not be prepared for. Though it heavily hints at the events of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, Captain America 5 could also expand on that storyline depending on when it's released.

A running point throughout the film is how Sam feels unworthy of carrying the shield and how he doubts Steve made the right choice. Now that he has proven to himself that he is capable, Captain America 5 would be a great project to expand on his newfound role, especially after he establishes himself as the leader of the new Avengers. The Captain America movie series has always been relatively grounded, meaning that there’s no need for a major extraterrestrial event or threat to happen in order to make work.