For years,Anthony Mackieportrayed Sam Wilson as the Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was first introduced in 2014 withCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, as Wilson and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) developed a close relationship that would be expanded upon until Roger’s exit inAvengers: Endgame.
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In 2021 Wilson’s story was expanded upon even further withThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierseries for Disney+. In the show, fans follow the Falcon as he teams up with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), eventually earning the title of Captain America in the process. Now that the mantle has officially been taken over by Wilson, audiences are looking forward toCaptain America: New World Orderwith Anthony Mackie in the lead role. This will be a big change for the actor, and his character, and director Julius Onah recognizes that. During an interview withDeadlineat the D23 Expo, Onah comments on Mackie taking the lead in the upcoming film and the new set of challenges that await the character.
“It’s going to be a really, really incredible ride. It’s a paranoid thriller with Sam [Wilson] at the center of it, and he is now in this position where he is a leader and he has to deal with that challenge of what it means to lead a group of people that he really cares about. For Sam, beforehand, he was part of a team, but now to be at the head of a team is a new set of challenges, so his journey in this film is really about that.”
Sam Wilson has been an integral part of the MCU up until this point; however, his role inCaptain America: New World Orderwill be bigger than ever before. Look for Wilson to be a huge player in the current Multiverse Saga, as he’s now the next iteration of Captain America.
How WillCaptain America 4Differentiate Itself From Previous Entries
Of course, the nextCaptain Americafilm is bound to be different than its predecessors since a new lead has taken over the role. However, based on Julius Onah’s quotes, we should expect a different kind of movie entirely. The filmmaker calls the movie a “paranoid thriller,” which may remind audiences ofThe Winter Soldier, as Hydra was infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D and Bucky Barnes was still brainwashed and on the loose. The uncertainty in the movie leads to a sense of unease throughout the secondCaptain America, which Onah alludes to in his statement.
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However, the stakes may be higher than ever before inNew World Order. Marvel’sSecret Invasionseries is set to arrive next year, and the Disney+ show will follow Nick Fury as he attempts to deal with the ongoing presence of the Skrulls, an alien race of shape-shifters. Since the Skrulls can assume any identity they want, Sam Wilson may end up having to help Fury with the invasion. Of course, The Leader, played by Tim Blake Nelson, is confirmed to return as the villain forCaptain America 4, with his character last being seen inThe Incredible Hulk. This might mean a pairing between Hulk and Captain America; however, it’s too early to say right now.
Fans will find out more as the marketing ramps up for the film and trailers begin to release. Unfortunately, it will be a long wait forCaptain America: New World Order, as the fourth entry isn’t set for release until June 19, 2025.
