The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premieres next month. We can say that now! We still have four more episodes of WandaVision to enjoy before TFATWS premieres on March 19. That’s why it only makes sense that Marvel Studios is ramping up the TFATWS press now. A brand new trailer premiered during this year’s Super Bowl, and we have lots of feelings. Shocker, right? This trailer takes us a little bit deeper into where Sam and Bucky are post-Endgame. However, it only goes far enough for the theory wheels to start spinning.
Here’s our reaction to the trailer:
Anthony Mackie has made a lot of contradictory statements over the last year about whether he’s playing Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier or not. On a basic level, it doesn’t make much sense for Sam to already be established as Captain America in the series from its title alone. There’s clearly a longer journey that needs to take place before accepting that mantle, and that’s what TFATWS leaves room for Sam to do. Steve Rogers trusted Sam with the shield, and that means something. That means everything. Sam Wilson can’t be blamed for wanting to take some time in understanding what that means for him, the history of the hero, and the future (and the rest of the MCU).
Not to mention, it looks like there’s some military service going on during the trailer. This paired with the mural of Steve (on Sam’s left!!!) and the museum shown in the first look, the world may be mourning Steve Rogers as Captain America. Bucky is heard saying that the people need a symbol in a lot of TFATWS‘ footage so far. Sure, Steve could be in retirement and that’s why people need a symbol. This feels like more than that, though. It feels like there’s a disconnect — that people are missing something or someone. If this is the case, it adds another layer of understandable resistance to accepting the role of Captain America. It also explains the conveniently timed arrival of John Walker’s US Agent. Most importantly, it’s another way to bring Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes together on a more personal level.
We all knew The Falcon and the Winter Soldier would work because of Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan. Their work makes Sam and Bucky scene-stealers in the films, which isn’t an easy task with such large ensembles. Marvel Studios knows this, too, because they’re trusting them with this show. This is the one that was originally set to launch Phase 4, which says a lot about both its content and the caliber of its cast.
We’ve seen what WandaVision can do for characters that get lost in movies that have to focus on such macro problems during a limited amount of time. These shows give fan-favorite characters the opportunities to flourish in character-driven stories that benefit their development on a micro level. We’re going to see Sam and Bucky in a way that the movies haven’t allowed, and that’s the real magic of TFATWS. We’ll get to see them beyond all the jokes and pranks, though there will definitely be jokes and pranks. That couple’s therapy scene is brilliant! We can’t help but think of the possibilities of how they got in there in the first place.
Sharon Carter is back, baby! It’s hard not to joyously scream during her parts of the trailer. Cue Peggy Carter saying, “It’s been so long,” because it certainly has been a long time since we’ve seen Sharon. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is tasked with filling in the gaps for a lot of these characters but especially Sharon. The movies didn’t do this character justice, so we are begging that TFATWS does. Most of the appeal of Sharon’s character comes from Emily VanCamp‘s compelling performance in both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. Much like Sam and Bucky, this is the first time we will see Sharon exist without being attached to Steve.
Sharon looks to be going full vigilante, and the Internet is here for it. Everyone couldn’t stop tweeting about the five seconds of Sharon footage we got. That proves how deprived we’ve been. Thankfully, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is here to fix that. She was absent from the first footage, but Marvel Studios gave the people what they want this time around. Sharon is fighting people off in all-black outfits, like the total badass she is. She looks to be hiding somewhere dark and suspicious when Sam and Bucky find her (or when she finds them). It’s unfortunate that we’ll have to wait until March to see if and who Sharon is hiding from.
This trailer leaves us guessing about a lot of characters and the overall plot of the show. John Walker’s presence is especially scarce. The trailer reuses the same clips we’ve seen since the very beginning. On the other hand, it gives us more of Daniel Brühl‘s Baron Zemo. We have yet to see any footage of him sporting the character’s iconic purple mask but it’s happening. Brühl teased as much back in July 2019 on Instagram. He is back after Captain America: Civil War. He hasn’t given up on his grand goal of ridding the world of superheroes.
It’s hard to tell whether he’s starting with Bucky and Sam, but it doesn’t look like they’ll always be on the opposite sides of things. There’s quick moments in the trailer that show the three men together — not fighting. Zemo’s familiar (and a little extra) coat gives him away. This suggests that Zemo is an antagonist but not the villain of TFATWS. All of the Disney+ shows may not have clear cut villains like in the films, because there is more time to develop characters outside of archetypes. That seems to be the case for WandaVision, at least. Honestly, it’s nice to know these characters are getting more screen time — Zemo included.
Check out the trailer below:
What did you think of the The Falcon and the Winter Soldier trailer? Let us know in the comments below!
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premieres Friday, March 19 on Disney+!
