As Sam Wilson wrestles with the notion of becoming the world's new Captain America in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, Isaiah Bradley could inspire a change of heart. Fresh from his time-hopping rendezvous with Peggy Carter, old man Steve Rogers chose Sam Wilson as his successor in Avengers: Endgame. Many MCU fans would've expected Falcon to be clad in red, white and blue when Anthony Mackie's character returned, but Falcon & Winter Soldier proves the transition won't be quite that simple. Reluctant to accept the honor, Sam continues as Falcon and relinquishes Steve's iconic shield to the U.S. government, only to be betrayed when the weapon is sneakily given to the White House's own Captain America replacement, John Walker.
Despite enduring the intense stare of a disapproving Bucky Barnes, Wilson stands by his choice, even if he doesn't support Walker's appointment. There are a multitude of reasons why Sam refuses to be "Captain America" - social context, moral quandaries, political misgivings, and personal self-doubt. Even so, it's inevitable that at some point in Falcon & Winter Soldier, Sam will accept his inheritance and embrace the legacy Steve Rogers left in his capable hands.
This means something will happen to shift Sam's mentality - and probably not couples therapy sessions with Bucky. Instead, the difference could be meeting Isaiah Bradley. A super soldier subject from the 1950s, Bradley served his country as bravely as Steve Rogers, but was treated horrifically in return. The tragic tale of a Black super soldier forgotten by history could spark a new motivation for Sam Wilson to reclaim the Captain America title - not because Steve Rogers asked him to, but as a way to honor Isaiah.
Isaiah Bradley's Tragedy Deserves Reclaiming
There's plenty Sam and Bucky need to fix in Falcon & Winter Soldier. From rogue super soldier terrorists to a Captain America wannabe representing everything Steve hated, the next four episodes are going to be very busy indeed for the bickering duo. Just as vital, however, is finding a way to reclaim Isaiah Bradley's dark past. There's nothing Sam and Bucky can do to mend the decades of hurt and suffering Isaiah went through, first as a test subject, and then as an abandoned superhero ejected back into society with nothing. But neither can Falcon & Winter Soldier leave Bradley's story where it currently stands - Captain America was a purveyor of justice, after all, and justice has eluded Isaiah for a very long time.
Sam is incensed that no one was told about Isaiah. He confronts Bucky, yelling "you're telling me there was a Black super soldier decades ago and nobody knew about it?" In a cruel twist of irony, Sam is then apprehended by police who immediately take Bucky's side, proving in no uncertain terms that the racial discrimination Isaiah experienced in the 1950s is still a problem in the modern day MCU. While no recompense can undo the crime, a first step towards reclaiming the tragedy of Isaiah Bradley would be letting the world know him name. Sam can't do this as Falcon - but he can as Captain America. The Avenger could publicly announce himself as Captain America, but rather than competing with John Walker for the right to carry Steve Rogers' torch, Wilson could tell the world that he's honoring the legacy of a different American super soldier - Isaiah Bradley. The masses finally learn about Bradley's military heroics, and "Falcon America" is there to ensure no one ever forgets.
Telling Isaiah's story can also expose the grim truth of America's super soldier program. The serum is common knowledge in the MCU by this point, but hardly anyone was aware of the awful experiments and treatment of subjects throughout the 1950s, 1960s and possibly beyond. Those responsible are now probably dead or imprisoned as secret HYDRA agents, so justice in the traditional sense comes too late for Isaiah Bradley. Nevertheless, acknowledging a tragedy happened is the first step toward ensuring it never happens again, and Sam Wilson can be the man who lets Isaiah's truth be heard loud and clear.
Sam's History Is Closer To Isaiah's Than Steve's
Becoming Captain America to honor Isaiah Bradley wouldn't be solely for the old veteran's sake - the forgotten super soldier also gives Sam Wilson a figure he can relate to more closely than Steve Rogers. Despite fighting to be taken seriously, Captain America was considered a hero in World War II. His deeds went down in history, his sacrifice was honored, and when America needed help, they knew exactly who to defrost. Steve certainly had his disputes with Uncle Sam, but these were either due to HYDRA influence (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) or the old "creative differences" (Captain America: Civil War). Even as an outlaw, Steve Rogers remained the public face of America, the idealized soldier, and the perfect patriot.
Though both men love their country enough to fight for it, Sam Wilson's experience of America is quite different compared to Steve's. Hailing from Delacroix, Louisiana, Sam would've watched his family business and local community struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In the real world, the U.S. government's aid response has been widely criticized over the past 16 years, and many point to racial inequality as a potential factor. In this sense, Sam's situation mirrors his comic book counterpart, who was a resident of 1960s Harlem and fought to right the social wrongs of his town. Even as an Avenger, Sam Wilson still experiences discrimination from police and the banking system, while the funny-but-makes-a-good-point "Black Falcon" exchange highlights a derogatory trope of superhero naming. Steve might not have been the government's best friend, but he hasn't experienced the kind of institutional injustice Sam, and especially Isaiah, both have.
Since Isaiah Bradley is essentially the Captain America history forgot, Sam Wilson might not feel so strongly that the famous shield belongs to "someone else."
Sam Can Realize He's A "Good Man" By Helping Isaiah
Sam Wilson's refusal to adopt the Captain America mantle isn't motivated by societal issues alone - there's also a great deal of personal doubt. As he stares at Steve's shield and contemplates the future, Sam (as most people in his situation would) wonders whether he has what it takes to do Steve Rogers proud. As a super soldier hero of WWII, Rogers' reputation took on a mythical quality. He was an unbreakable bastion of moral virtue that even the notoriously picky Mjölnir doffed a cap to. That's quite some legacy to live up to, and while John Walker might be able to grin his way through without a care, Sam Wilson clearly views Cap's shield with more reverence.
Steve chose Sam as his successor because Falcon is a military veteran who understands the cost of war. Rather than jumping in headfirst, Sam can be trusted to avoid conflict unless absolutely necessary, and this trait Steve values most highly in choosing the next Captain America. But Falcon & Winter Soldier finds Sam questioning that assessment of his character, telling Rhodey, "it feels like it belongs to someone else." Flying through the sky taking down terrorists apparently isn't enough to convince Sam of his worthiness, but being a champion for Isaiah Bradley just might.
Unlike John Walker, Steve was never afraid to stick a big, red, white and blue finger up to "the man" when he believed something was wrong. Steve followed his definition of American values, rather than blindly taking orders and toeing the line. If Falcon were to expose the horrific treatment of Isaiah Bradley and tell the world about this anonymous Black hero - something the authorities have successfully kept hidden for so many years - Sam might finally realize he's more than capable of upholding the values Steve Rogers held dear. In fact, reclaiming the tragedy of Isaiah Bradley is exactly what the original Cap would've done. Sam Wilson doesn't need super strength to realize his worthiness, nor does his pacifism define the future of Captain America. It's Sam's willingness to hold leaders to account when American values are compromised, just like Steve often did, that counts.