Marvel Theory: Falcon & Winter Soldier Will Introduce A New Falcon

Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) will become the new Captain America in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and the Disney+ series could also introduce the new Falcon. Captain America (Chris Evans) was one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most prominent characters throughout the Infinity Saga. Through the exploration of Steve Rogers' story, the MCU has given his best friends, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), important roles of their own.

Falcon and Winter Soldier have been in multiple MCU projects to date, but it won't be until The Falcon and The Winter Soldier that they become lead characters. The Disney+ series will pick up after the events of Avengers: Endgame, where Falcon and Bucky are adjusting to life without Steve around. They aren't the only familiar MCU faces returning for the show, as Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) and Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) will have major roles. This will allow The Falcon and The Winter Soldier to set up several storylines for the future of the MCU, but it will also introduce multiple new characters who could have recurring roles.

The most prominent new addition to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is John Walker aka US Agent (Wyatt Russell). His involvement is expected to directly conflict with Falcon's own story in the series, which has led many to believe that he'll be an antagonist. But, there are also various rumors about the Thunderbolts having a role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. There are several unconfirmed cast members with unknown roles, which has only fueled the speculation. But, it is also possible that the show will introduce the person who will become Falcon after Sam.

Falcon Is The MCU’s New Captain America In Phase 4

Steve Rogers gives Sam Wilson the Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame

The MCU could need a new Falcon as Sam Wilson leaves that mantle behind, starting in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. The ending of Avengers: Endgame saw old man Steve pass the mantle of Captain America and the iconic shield to Sam. Even though Sam remarks that the shield doesn't feel like it belongs to him, becoming the next Captain America is his MCU destiny. Marvel bypassed giving Bucky the title to make Sam the new Captain America immediately. Even though this transition might not go smoothly in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, there is no doubt that Sam is the new Cap moving forward.

Falcon & Winter Soldier Deals With Legacy

Marvel Captain America With US Agent and Falcon

Sam's new role as Captain America will fit perfectly with The Falcon and The Winter Soldier's exploration of legacy. Chris Evans isn't expected to appear in the Disney+ show, but Steve's presence is still going to be felt. Sam will undoubtedly struggle to live up to the expectation that Steve set for Captain America, while the government could be attempting to take Cap's shield from him. The introduction of US Agent is believed to be tied to the government not approving of Sam becoming the new face of America. Instead of having a Black man be Captain America, it appears Walker will be brought in to try and be better than Sam.

This isn't the only way that Captain America's legacy will potentially play a role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, as there are rumors that the history of the super-soldier program will also be included. The biggest rumor is that this will come with the introduction of Isaiah Bradley. In the comics, he was one of 300 black test subjects of the government as they tried to create a new Captain America after his disappearance. Bradley is the only person to survive the experiments and subsequent suicide missions, where he briefly claimed Captain America's title. With Sam potentially dealing with the backlash to the idea of Captain America being a Black man, an appearance by Bradley could show how this already happened before and the government covered it up.

With so much of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier's story possibly revolving around Captain America's legacy, Falcon's own legacy can be explored. Once he fully becomes Captain America, it will be up to him to help train a new generation of heroes. Marvel Studios is on the brink of introducing multiple replacement heroes in Phase 4, and that potentially could include the next Falcon to be Sam's sidekick.

Theory: A New Falcon Will Be Introduced

After Sam Wilson became Captain America in the comics, it wasn't long before Marvel introduced a new Falcon in Joaquín Torres. As a Mexican who lived near the Unites States and Mexico border, Torres was kidnapped by the Sons of the Serpent when he went to leave food and water for those trying to cross the border. The Sons of the Serpent had been kidnapping immigrants so Dr. Karl Malus could do experiments on them. Joaquín was mutated with Sam's bird Redwing and permanently gained bird-like abilities, some level of regeneration, and a connection to Redwing. Eager to prove himself, Torres became the new Falcon and Sam's unofficial sidekick for a time.

Given that The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is dealing with legacy and a similar arc for Sam, it is possible that Torres could be included in the show. In fact, it was recently revealed that Danny Ramirez had joined the series in a "pivotal" role. The 28-year-old Hispanic actor is a bit older than Torres has been in the comics. But, Ramirez could still be a fit for the character, and being the new Falcon would certainly constitute the "pivotal" description for his role. Even if Ramirez isn't playing the new Falcon, there are signs that Tyler Dean Flores, a young Puerto Rican actor, might also have a role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Flores could be another candidate to play Torres, but there's also a possibility an unknown cast member could play the part.

What New Falcon’s MCU Future Could Be

If Joaquín Torres does have a role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, he would be set up to possibly have a significant role in the MCU moving forward. It would be expected that he'd appear in fellow projects that include Sam's Captain America if he becomes his sidekick. Since Torres has only been in the comics since 2016, he doesn't have a huge story already mapped out. This could give Marvel a lot of freedom to continue his journey after The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. He has teamed up with Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales, and the rest of the Champions in the past, so something similar could happen in the MCU. Or, perhaps the new Falcon could be part of the Young Avengers instead.

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