A “Civil War” is brewing

“I'm sorry, Tony, you know I wouldn't do this if I had any other choice. But he's my friend.”

“So was I.”

“Captain America: Civil War” was summarized in one brief exchange between Captain America and Iron Man, the two biggest stars of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as the first teaser trailer of the massively-anticipated film was launched on Jimmy Kimmel Live yesterday morning (Tuesday night in USA time). Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man) and Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America) launched the teaser on the late night talk show. A one-sheet poster was also unveiled.

Cap's long-lost and turbulently-reunited best friend Bucky Barns aka the Winter Soldier (from Captain America 2, played by Sebastian Stan) is at the epicenter of the conflict, which divides the Avengers and the Marvel Universe in two. As General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (William Hurt) wants to bring him and his super-powered allies to accountability, Iron Man and his allegiance -- War Machine (Don Cheadle), Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman debuting the character in the franchise), The Vision (Paul Bettany), and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) – is pitted against Cap, Bucky, Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp). 

Action, conflict, drama and thrill are in abundance in the two-and-a-half minute teaser, although a number of characters are missing in action: Sharon Carter, Vision, Ant-Man, Marvel baddies Crossbones (Frank Grillo) and Baron Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl), and most notably Tom Holland's rebooted version of Spider-Man, who will make his debut in the superhero sequel.

With the film another six months to go (May 6, 2016), the first clip is surely going to keep fans talking for a while, and knowing Marvel's marketing think-tank, they will keep pushing materials for the fandom to build the anticipation.