8 Falcon & Winter Soldier Characters Not Returning For Captain America 4

Captain America: New World Order has a big cast, but there are multiple The Falcon and the Winter Soldier characters who are not returning. After Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson was given the Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios used a Disney+ series to explore his path to accepting the mantle. The show chronicled Sam's journey to understand why he needed to be Captain America, and Captain America 4 is confirmed to be the next chapter of this story. It is expected that the Phase 5 movie will build on many of the same stories and themes that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explored.

Marvel Studios has assembled a massive cast of characters for Captain America: New World Order already. This includes confirming that MCU veterans Thunderbolt Ross (Harrison Ford), The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson), and Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) are all coming back. It has even been revealed that Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) and Joaquín Torres (Danny Ramirez) will return after their debuts in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Rumors have even stated that Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dryfus) will be back. However, there are many other The Falcon and the Winter Soldier characters not returning for Captain America 4.

8 Bucky Barnes

Falcon and Winter Soldier Sebastian Stan Bucky

It has been confirmed that Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is not going to be in Captain America: New World Order. The character has been a mainstay of the Captain America franchise in the MCU to this point by making appearances in the first trilogy. His role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier brought Bucky and Sam closer than ever before, making it seem likely that they would both be in Captain America 4. There is always the chance that Sebastian Stan does make a cameo, but a substantial role for him in the movie has been ruled out.

Marvel Studios has instead announced plans for Bucky to lead the Thunderbolts team in the MCU. The move gives the character another leading role after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. There is reportedly a strong connection that exists between the stories that Thunderbolts and Captain America: New World Order too. That might mean that Bucky Barnes appearing in Captain America 4 could still happen in some fashion, such as through the film's post-credits scene. This is merely speculation at this point, as Stan, Mackie, and others have indicated he is not involved in the project.

7 Sharon Carter

emily vancamp as sharon carter aka the power broker in the falcon and the winter soldier

Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) is another The Falcon and the Winter Soldier character not returning for Captain America 4. She was introduced to the franchise in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and then played a small role in Captain America: Civil War. However, her decision to break the Sokovia Accords to help Steve Rogers meant becoming an international fugitive. The Disney+ series showed that she used the time since to become the Power Broker, but her identity is still a secret. It seemed likely that her mysteriously evil plot would continue with Captain America: New World Order, but Marvel has yet to confirm what her future holds.

6 Baron Zemo

Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) is also not returning for Captain America: New World Order after his role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The MCU show finally continued his story after Captain America: Civil War and efforts to stop the world from creating more super soldiers. He was last seen being taken prisoner by the Dora Milaje, who transferred him to The Raft. Despite speculation that this was done so Zemo could be in Thunderbolts, that is not the case either. It makes Zemo's absence from Captain America 4 quite surprising considering where The Falcon and the Winter Soldier left the character.

5 US Agent

Wyatt Russell's US Agent is another The Falcon and the Winter Soldier character not returning for Captain America 4. John Walker played a big role in the Disney+ series as he became Captain America shortly after Sam turned down the opportunity. This proved to be a horrible decision for all involved, as the enhancements of the super soldier made Walker even more violent and aggressive. Once he lost the mantle to Sam, John became US Agent with the help of Valentina. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's redemption storyline for John Walker has landed him a future with Thunderbolts instead of Captain America: New World Order.

4 Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

Audiences are also unlikely to see Sarah Wilson (Adepero Oduye) return for Captain America 4 after the Disney+ series. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's character brought Sam Wilson's sister into the picture as a way to explore his family life more. Her introduction and reforged relationship with Sam means that an appearance in Captain America: New World Order could make sense. However, Marvel Studios has not provided any indication that she will be included. There is still a chance that Sarah Wilson will make a cameo in the film if Sam goes back to Louisiana at any point.

3 War Machine

Falcon and Winter Soldier Rhodey and Sam

Captain America 4's cast also does not officially include Don Cheadle's War Machine, making him another The Falcon and the Winter Soldier character not returning. Rhodey only played a small role in the series by making a one-episode appearance in the premiere. However, Rhodey and Sam have developed a nice friendship over the years in the MCU that would make an appearance in the Phase 5 make sense. It would also be an opportunity to potentially build off War Machine's story in Secret Invasion or help set up the Armor Wars movie even more. But, there are no plans for that to happen it seems.

2 Eli Bradley

eli bradley in the falcon and the winter soldier

Eli Bradley (Elijah Richardson) is also not confirmed to appear in Captain America: New World Order. His absence is quite surprising after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier considering he lives with Isaiah Bradley, who is making an appearance in the film. Eli Bradley's return in Captain America 4 would be another chance for Marvel Studios to continue setting up the MCU's Young Avengers team, as he becomes Patriot in the comics. This would even allow some potential mutant connections to be included, as Eli uses Mutant Growth Hormone pills in the comics to make it seem like he inherited powers from his grandfather.

1 Ayo

Florence Kasumba's Ayo is another The Falcon and the Winter Soldier character not returning for Captain America 4. She made an appearance in the Disney+ show through Bucky's story and the time he spent in Wakanda. Audiences were introduced to her in Captain America: Civil War, giving her an existing connection to the franchise. She most recently made an appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever where she became the new head of the Dora Milaje. Her responsibilities protecting Wakanda and their new ruler M'Baku is likely a reason why she will not be back for Captain America: New World Order.