Captain America: New World Order cannot repeat one of Steve Rogers’ biggest tragedies with Sam Wilson, because it already happened to him.
Captain America: New World Order will be Sam Wilson’s first solo movie, but it cannot repeat one Steve Rogers tragedy from Captain America: The First Avenger. The Marvel Cinematic Universe shifted Anthony Mackie’s character from Falcon to the new Captain America at the end of Phase 3. The absence of Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers after Avengers: Endgame has allowed Sam to take over the mantle and lead Captain America 4. While the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier helped show Sam’s journey to accepting the title, the Phase 5 movie will be where his first full Captain America adventure takes place.
The decision to make another Captain America movie with Anthony Mackie as the star will only bring about more comparisons between Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers. This will likely include comparing how their first solo movies stack up against each other. Captain America: New World Order is poised to be very different from Captain America: The First Avenger, but it could hold some similarities in terms of what Sam and Steve experience as they learn the ropes of being the Star Spangled Man.
Sam Wilson Lost His Bucky Even Before He Became Captain America
Bucky Barnes’ death in Captain America: The First Avenger is one of the earliest Steve Rogers tragedies, but Sam Wilson has already experienced his version of this event before Captain America: New World Order. Before Sam became the MCU’s new Captain America, he lost his pararescue partner Riley. His death occurred during a mission to Afghanistan when Riley was hit by an RPG. Riley’s passing had a huge impact on Sam Wilson, as it was partially due to this loss that he began working as a counselor for other veterans.
There might be plenty of differences between Riley’s death and how Bucky died, but the effect that the separate tragedies had on Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers was similar. Bucky’s supposed death in Captain America: The First Avenger left Steve without his best friend as he saw him fall off the train and could not save him. The feeling of helplessness is the same one that Sam felt when Riley died. The big difference is that Sam Wilson lost his sidekick/partner/best friend even before he became Captain America.
Sam’s Past Sets Up A Different Falcon Relationship For Captain America 4
Riley’s death may have occurred years ago in Sam Wilson’s life, but it could still affect his relationship with the MCU’s new Falcon in Captain America: New World Order. Joaquín Torres received Sam’s old Falcon suit in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and will finally suit up in the Phase 5 movie. This will mark the first time that Sam will fly next to someone wearing the same type of EXO-7 Falcon suit that he wears since Riley’s death. Captain America: New World Order‘s new Falcon could mean Sam’s memories and any lingering guilt tied to Riley’s death could return once Torres begins flying.
Captain America and Falcon’s relationship could be very different from the one seen with Steve and Sam. Once Joaquín becomes Sam’s sidekick in Captain America: New World Order, the MCU’s new Captain America could begin pushing away the new Falcon. It will be understandable if Sam becomes worried about losing another flying partner once Joaquín jumps into action. That could result in Sam initially pushing him and his help away, which is far different from how Steve received Sam in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In that scenario, Captain America: New World Order could explore Sam learning to accept the new Falcon.
