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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 1 “New World Order” ends with something of a gut punch to hero Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). After deciding that no one but Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) should carry Cap’s shield, Sam is shocked to see that the U.S. government doesn’t agree with him. They’ve given the vibranium shield to a new Captain America, a guy the Falcon and Winter Soldier credits names John Walker (Wyatt Russell).
But who is this new white Captain America, John Walker? And who is the actor playing John Walker, Wyatt Russell? And why is his casting sort of meta fun?
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is the next Marvel series created just for Disney+. Following on the heels of WandaVision, Falcon and The Winter Soldier lets us explore what happened to some of the Avengers after the events of Endgame. Six months after Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) sacrificed himself to defeat Thanos (Josh Brolin) and Steve Rogers bequeathed his Captain America mantle to the Falcon, Cap’s two best friends are struggling in different ways. Sam is enjoying his gig as a superhero, but is shocked to realize that the world isn’t as impressed with him after the events of the blip. James “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is trying to making amends for his sins as the Winter Soldier. Both men could use the friendship and guidance of Steve Rogers, but neither have it.
What might finally bring the two together? Learning that the U.S. Government has decided to give their bestie’s shield to some guy named John Walker. Seriously, who is this winking jabroni?
Well that’s exactly what we’re here to tell you. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Captain America and the actor playing him, Wyatt Russell…
WHO IS JOHN WALKER, THE NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA, IN THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER?
John Walker was a character originally introduced in 1986’s Captain America #323 as the villain “Super-Patriot.” Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary created him to provide a contrast to Steve Rogers’s noble version of patriotism. Walker was from the south and grew up idolizing his older brother, who perished in the Vietnam War in the comics. He joined the army but didn’t get to see any action. Frustrated, Walker sought out the Power Broker, an underground scientist who could give people superpowers for a cost.
Armed with super strength and agility, he put himself in line first as a critic of Captain America, and next as the guy most eager to replace Steve when he briefly quit the role. In the comics, the government considered Sam Wilson for the gig, but thought America was not ready for a Black Cap. Eager to serve his country in any way and obsessed with patriotism, Walker jumped into the red, white, and blue suit.
As Captain America, John Walker espoused a crueler, pragmatic, and more nationalist attitude. After all, he was created in part in reaction to fans want Cap to go harder, like a Rambo character. Eventually, he left the role and is now best known as U.S. Agent.
All we know about The Falcon and The Winter Soldier‘s John Walker is that the government has decided to make him the new Captain America. He looks a little goofy in the suit and so far as only waved and winked at us. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier‘s head writer, Malcolm Spellman, told Decider’s Brett White in a recent interview that the Disney+ version of Walker wouldn’t be quite so dark or edgy.
“We knew for John Walker to take up the mantle and become Captain America, he couldn’t be as edgy as he had been in the books because [the US government would] be wrong to let him be Cap,” Spellman said. “He’s more open minded and yet, you know, still has some of those… The DNA from the old John Walker is never far behind.”
We’ll have to watch for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 2 and beyond to fill us in on the MCU’s version of his backstory. (For instance, where will his superpowers come from? And could it be the same place that’s enhancing the ability of the Flag Smashers??!?)
WHO IS WYATT RUSSELL, THE ACTOR PLAYING THE NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA IN THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER?
34-year-old Wyatt Russell first appeared onscreen as a baby in the hit film Overboard, but more on that in a minute. However, between then and adult acting stardom, he was a hockey player. Russell played NCAA hockey at the University of Alabama and later for a bunch of professional and amateur leagues. After leaving hockey, he embraced acting.
Wyatt Russell first began garnering attention for the Richard Linklater film Everybody Wants Some!!! and a starring role in the Black Mirror episode “Playtest.” He’s appeared in films like Ingrid Goes West and Overlord, but is maybe best known for starring on the cult hit series Lodge 49.
Off-screen, Russell is in a long-term relationship with Search Party star Meredith Hagner. The two wed in 2019 and are reportedly expecting their first baby together. (That’s nice. Good for them.)
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier marks Russell’s entry into the MCU, but he’s not the first member of his family to star in a Marvel project…
IS THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER STAR WYATT RUSELL THE SON OF KURT RUSSELL AND GOLDIE HAWN?
If you thought your brain couldn’t quite handle the news that WandaVision star Elizabeth Olsen was the little sister of the Olsen twins, then you might want to sit down for this.
Wyatt Russell is Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn’s son!
Coincidentally that also makes him the younger brother of actors Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson. We’re talking about a very famous family, and one whose existence hinges on the films Swing Shift and Overboard.
But yes, the guy playing the new Captain America is the son of two movie stars. Not bad casting for a character who is supposed to epitomize the way our social structures prioritize the advancement of privileged individuals over others who deserve stuff on merit alone. Kind of meta, honestly.
