Why Spider-Man’s Absence Makes Captain America: Brave New World Even More Disappointing

Overview

Amadeus Cho emerges as a fan-favorite character, celebrated for his bold personality and refreshing perspective on the Hulk narrative.
His absence from Captain America: Brave New World is regarded as a notable oversight, particularly after his well-received appearance in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Integrating Cho into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) alongside other youthful heroes could play a crucial role in revitalizing the franchise.

In the second episode of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Peter Parker collaborates with a group of brilliant young minds at OsCorp’s innovative think tank. While many of these characters have roots in Marvel Comics, most remain obscure to the average audience. Among them is Asha, a Wakandan teenager who has fought Thanos in her adult form in comics from 2013, and Jeanne Foucault, who tried to join the Avengers under the alias Finesse.

However, the standout character is undoubtedly Amadeus Cho, a charismatic figure characterized by his brash confidence. Unlike many of the other characters featured, Cho is widely recognized and loved, having his own comic series that showcases his unique spin on the Hulk concept. Unfortunately, he was omitted from the MCU’s Captain America: Brave New World during the film’s reshoots, a decision that many view as a significant error after witnessing his compelling portrayal in the recent Spider-Man series.

Understanding Amadeus Cho

Split image of Amadeus Cho interacting with Peter Parker and working on an iPad in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Amadeus Cho’s introduction in the comic world was relatively humble, making his first appearance in 2006’s Amazing Fantasy #15. This anthology was designed to shine a light on emerging young heroes. In his debut story, Cho is depicted as a prodigious talent who earns the title of “6th Smartest Person on Earth”after winning an international quiz show. Despite the contest being a deceptive ploy by a conniving villain seeking to eliminate contenders, Cho retained his title and subsequently adopted the superhero name “Mastermind Excello”.

Writer Greg Pak was so impressed with Cho that he integrated him into the Incredible Hulk series, where he becomes a scientist mentoring Bruce Banner while also watching over the Hulk. Cho’s significance grew further when he forged a strong partnership with Hercules, who took over as the primary character in the series.

Ultimately, Cho’s transformation into a full-fledged superhero occurred when he engineered nanites capable of replicating the gamma radiation that alters Bruce Banner. As the Totally Awesome Hulk, Cho gained immense strength to complement his remarkable intellect, making him an even more endearing and brash character in Marvel lore. He appeared alongside fellow teen heroes like Ms. Marvel and Miles Morales in a group known as the Challengers, creating anticipation for his potential inclusion in the MCU. Early speculation hinted that Logan Kim of Ghostbusters: Afterlife would portray Cho, paving the way for his potential role in the Young Avengers.

However, audiences were left disappointed when Cho did not appear in Captain America: Brave New World.

The Absence of Amadeus Cho in Captain America: Brave New World

Sam Wilson from Captain America: Brave New World

While Brave New World has performed well at the box office and received relatively favorable reviews, its journey to release was anything but straightforward. Initially conceived as a simple thriller featuring the new Captain America, Sam Wilson (portrayed by Anthony Mackie), facing off against mercenaries known as the Serpent Society, the film evolved to create deeper connections to the broader MCU. This included prominent figures like Thaddeus “Thunderbolt”Ross, now President, as well as references to the immense Celestial entity left stranded in the ocean since the events of Eternals.

As production progressed, the film underwent numerous changes during filming and test screenings. With a renowned actor like Harrison Ford stepping into the role of President Ross, expectations for his on-screen presence increased. Marvel took the opportunity to expand the narrative, linking the Celestial corpse to adamantium, the fictional metal associated with the iconic Wolverine. With audience feedback indicating a lack of excitement regarding certain action sequences, Marvel opted to delete various characters while introducing new scenes, including Giancarlo Esposito as the antagonist Sidewinder.

These extensive alterations ultimately transformed Brave New World into an expansive and complex cinematic experience, necessitating significant cuts to achieve clarity and cohesion. Consequently, beloved characters like Amadeus Cho, played by Logan Kim, were left on the editing room floor. Insider Daniel Ritchman indicated that Cho was slated for an initial scene where Sam Wilson visits Stark Industries, where Cho is employed as part of a team of young scientists. In a subsequent scene, he would have assisted Sam in neutralizing the Red Hulk, reverting him back to President Ross.

The Case for Amadeus Cho’s Inclusion in the MCU

Montage featuring America Chavez, Stinger, Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, and Wiccan from the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Even die-hard MCU fans must recognize that the franchise has faltered in recent times, partly due to lukewarm reactions to new characters like Shuri’s Black Panther and the members of the Eternals. Nonetheless, certain characters, such as Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan and Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, have demonstrated significant potential to resonate with broader audiences.

Marvel is keenly aware of the importance of these younger heroes and has made strategic plans to enhance their visibility. The conclusion of The Marvels hinted at the formation of the Young Avengers, featuring Kamala’s recruitment of Kate Bishop. These youthful actors not only offer a fresh appeal compared to seasoned stars like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., but they can also dedicate more time to the MCU, thereby allowing for greater narrative expansions.

While Cho has not traditionally been a member of the Young Avengers in the comics, he shares a collaborative history with Kamala Khan, who has also transitioned into the X-Men arena. His unique character dynamic, as evidenced in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, showcases his ability to mesh well with a variety of heroes. Cho’s egotistical nature renders him a lovable yet infuriating character, consistently surprising others with his inventions, yet ripe for moments where he can be humbled. His interactions with self-reflective figures like Peter Parker display the versatility he could bring when paired with contemporaries like Kamala or Kate.

If Captain America: Brave New World was not the ideal platform for Amadeus Cho’s entry into the MCU, then the door must remain open for his appearance in forthcoming movies or series.

Catch the first season of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, now available for streaming on Disney+.

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