The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Wyatt Russell, who plays new Captain America John Walker on the show, originally auditioned for the role of Steve Rogers way back during MCU Phase 1. Walker takes on the mantle (and shield) of Captain America in the story, drawing the ire of both Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. For Russell, donning the red, white and blue costume has been something of a full-circle moment.

The legacy of Captain America hangs like a star-spangled shroud over the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with both titular lead heroes and their supporting characters around them all dealing with Steve Rogers’ absence in different ways. The series has also shown more of what happened to Earth after the Avengers: Endgame Blip, which brought a slew of problems along with the resurrection of Thanos’ Snap victims. In the midst of that turmoil, the US government decides a new Captain America is needed, but rather than allow Sam Wilson to take on the title, they bestow it on a white soldier named John Walker.

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During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, Wyatt Russell discussed his role as John Walker, and how he once auditioned to play Steve Rogers in the original Captain America. “I think it’s a fun story, and I think honestly that the first audition was really more just something to read to see if I was any good at acting or not. I don’t think I was ever actually in competition for the role,” Russell said. The role eventually went to Chris Evans, who shot to superstardom as the MCU lead. Russell also revealed that he didn’t seek out the John Walker role himself. “This time I had no idea even what it was. It was just, ‘Marvel wants you to read for something, go for it,’ and I found out after I got the part what it was.”

Captain America Steve Rogers John Walker costume

As the son of Hollywood legends Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Wyatt was no stranger to the world of showbusiness growing up. Prior to his MCU debut, Russell appeared in 22 Jump Street, Black Mirror, Lodge 49, and The Good Lord Bird, among other TV and film appearances. He appeared as a child alongside his father in the 1996 action thriller Escape from L.A.

It’s unclear as of now what exactly John Walker’s role will be in the MCU. In the comics, the character didn’t hold onto the official Captain America title for long, though showrunner Malcolm Spellman has said that his version of Walker will be quite different from the original. He’s already a bit more sympathetic than the comics version, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t turn bad later in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

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Source: Good Morning America

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