Adamantium is set to make its debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World, sourced intriguingly from The Eternals. Fans of Marvel comics recognize the significant impact of this development, as Vibranium has long been the metal emblematic of the MCU—first prominently showcased through Captain America’s iconic shield. Prior limitations on character rights have meant that Marvel’s most recognized metal wasn’t included until now.
During a major announcement panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios revealed exciting details about Captain America: Brave New World, where the much-anticipated arrival of Adamantium was a standout moment.
In the realm of Marvel comics, Adamantium reigns supreme as the premier sci-fi metal. It forms Captain America’s shield and is the very substance that constitutes the body of Ultron, the formidable antagonist from Avengers: Age of Ultron. However, it’s best known as the material that fortifies Wolverine’s skeleton.
What piques interest is the novel source of Adamantium’s introduction—it is derived from the Celestial explored in the film The Eternals, which rose from the South Pacific. This marks one of the first significant references to the Celestial following the film’s release, aside from a few Easter eggs in other Marvel productions.
For many years, the X-Men, including Wolverine, were under the domain of 20th Century Fox. With Disney’s acquisition, the X-Men have been reintegrated into Marvel Studios, paving the way for Wolverine’s appearance in the recently released Deadpool & Wolverine film.
While Deadpool & Wolverine might seem like a prelude to Adamantium’s MCU introduction, it functions more as a connection between the Fox franchise and Marvel Studios, set in alternative Earths and not primarily in the main MCU continuity. Therefore, Captain America: Brave New World will serve as the formal landmark moment for the introduction of Adamantium into the core MCU, preparing audiences for the future reimagining of Wolverine and his iconic claws.
Captain America: Brave New World, featuring Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America, will also see Giancarlo Esposito take on the role of the Serpent Society leader and Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. This anticipated film is set to hit theaters on February 14, 2025, offering fans a cinematic treat that could potentially showcase Harrison Ford’s transformation into the Red Hulk.
