Marvel Phase 4 Has Already Confirmed Captain America 4’s Bucky Barnes Replacement
Summary
- Sam Wilson’s transition to Captain America is reminiscent of Steve Rogers’, with Joaquin Torres as his loyal right-hand man.
- The dynamic between Sam and Joaquin mirrors the iconic friendship of Steve and Bucky, highlighting the significance of the right-hand role.
- Joaquin Torres, as the new Falcon, will help Sam contend with villains in the MCU movie, similar to Bucky assisting Steve.
Reminiscent of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes’ friendship, the MCU has already set up Sam Wilson’s new partner going into Captain America: Brave New World. Steve’s time as Captain America came to an end in Avengers: Endgame, and he chose Sam Wilson to carry his shield and continue his legacy. Known as one of Steve’s right-hand men under the moniker Falcon, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier solidified Sam as the MCU’s new Captain America.
With his new identity, Captain America: Brave New World will be Sam’s first big test as Captain America. Since Steve’s retirement, Sam still had Bucky to depend on. However, Bucky’s MCU future is now going to be focused on the Thunderbolts, as Sebastian Stan isn’t slated to appear in Brave New World at the moment. It’ll be a bittersweet moment for Sam to part ways with him, but the MCU has already set up Sam’s new partner and Captain America’s right-hand man.
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Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres Is The Bucky Barnes To Sam Wilson’s Captain America
The Character Debuted In 2021’s The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Air Force Lieutenant Joaquin Torres was introduced in The Falcon And The Winter Soldier as a friend of Sam’s. They were shown to already have a good working relationship, as Joaquin aided Sam with a kidnapping and then provided intel for him as the series went on. Though Joaquin only had a supporting role in the show, it’s already been established that he’ll have a bigger role in the future MCU. Sam left Joaquin with the EXO-7 Falcon suit, and Danny Ramirez is slated to appear in Captain America: Brave New World, so Joaquin’s new Falcon identity will be explored.
Sam and Joaquin already draw some parallels to Steve and Bucky’s friendship. Since Captain America: The First Avenger, Bucky has been loyal to his best friend, even in situations where it puts him in danger. Joaquin has already done the same for Sam as he went to Switzerland on his own to investigate the Flag Smashers, even if it was a dangerous task. Brave New World should expand on the fun yet productive dynamic that Sam and Joaquin have, and having Joaquin debut as the Falcon to Sam’s Captain America movie pays homage to the MCU’s beloved Steve and Bucky friendship.
Why Captain America’s Right-Hand Is Such An Important Role In The Series
Captain America’s Best Friend Humanizes The Superhero
Steve and Bucky’s deep friendship was arguably the central core of the Captain America trilogy. Bucky’s presence was always a reminder of Steve’s roots and the key to humanizing Captain America beyond a simple do-good superhero. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier already previewed how taking the Captain America mantle will be a challenge for Sam, so having a friend and right-hand like Joaquin who can keep him grounded is incredibly important. Joaquin fulfills the Captain America sidekick position that Bucky made so important in the original trilogy.
Captain America’s sidekick became a key role thanks to Bucky Barnes’ importance to Steve Rogers.
Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres was always destined for bigger things than his supporting role in The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. The series ended with Sam officially taking the Captain America mantle, but it also set up Joaquin taking up the Falcon role. Captain America’s sidekick became a key role thanks to Bucky Barnes’ importance to Steve Rogers, so setting up Joaquin as Sam’s sidekick should be a great influence on the character. This new Captain America and Falcon dynamic that will be explored in Captain America: Brave New World will surely help lead the future MCU.
How Joaquin Torres Fits Into Captain America: Brave New World
Danny Ramirez’s Character Is The New Falcon In The MCU
With Sam Wilson’s Captain America origin story having been explored in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it’s possible that Captain America: Brave New World will have a subplot showcasing Joquin Torres’ journey to becoming Falcon. However, it seems more likely that the fourth Captain America may leave that off-screen and begin with Sam and Joaquin already operating as a two-man team. Either way, there’s little doubt that Sam and Joaquin’s friendship will serve as a central emotional tether of the movie.
Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date
- February 14, 2025
- Writers
- Dalan Musson , Malcolm Spellman
- Studio(s)
- Marvel Studios
- Distributor(s)
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Beyond that, it’s likely Joaquin’s Falcon will help Sam’s Captain America contend with the villains of the MCU movie. Though the central villain of the film has yet to be confirmed, Tim Blake Nelson is returning as Samuel Sterns, a Marvel antagonist known as The Leader. Further, Harrison Ford’s General Thunderbolt Ross is speculated to become Red-Hulk at some point in Captain America: Brave New World and could become the main foe. No matter what, Captain America will need help defeating the villain, and Joaquin Torres will be there for him, just as Bucky Barnes was for Steve Rogers.
Key Release Dates
