When Sam Wilson took on the mantle of Captain America in the season finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the rumor mill suggested Marvel was developing Captain America 4 to star Sam’s new incarnation of Cap and follow on from the events of the series.
Although the movie has yet to be confirmed in an official capacity, MCU fans are already excited to see the continuation of Sam’s journey as he adjusts to life as Cap and possibly even reforms the Avengers. If the rumored fourth Captain America movie ends up going ahead (and hopefully it will), then it could explore these storylines.
Sam Adjusts To Being The New Cap
This one seems like a given. After taking on the mantle of Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale, Sam Wilson has a long way to go before fully adjusting to life as the new Cap.
When John Walker first became Captain America, he quickly learned he wasn’t cut out for it. Sam will surely do a better job of continuing Steve Rogers’ legacy.
Sharon Carter Breaks Bad
After the first few episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier teased Sharon Carter to be the Power Broker, the finale confirmed it. Sharon has received a full pardon from the U.S. government and returned to her job at the CIA.
In the finale’s mid-credits scene, Sharon made it clear that she intends to use her reinstated CIA clearance to make a boatload selling the government’s secrets.
John Walker Goes Full-Tilt Authoritarian As U.S. Agent
John Walker brought his brief stint as the new Captain America to a close when he brutally murdered a Flag-Smasher with the iconic shield. He insists that he had to commit the murder and keeps incorrectly identifying his victim as Lemar’s killer.
The wordily named Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has recruited Walker to take on a new mantle: U.S. Agent. Under this new guise, working for the bad guys, Walker could finally go full-tilt unhinged authoritarian like in the comics.
Expanding Isaiah Bradley’s Backstory
One of the comics that inspired The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was Truth: Red, White & Black, which revealed that the U.S. government experimented on Black troops while trying to perfect the Super-Soldier Serum for a white candidate. The story was told through the eyes of Isaiah Bradley, who was played powerfully by Carl Lumbly.
Isaiah’s legacy is being honored in the Captain America museum, but his harrowing backstory hints at a huge web of conspirators who escaped justice. Sam could track them down and hold them able for their heinous crimes.
Bucky’s Complicated Relationship With Wakanda
Bucky’s relationship with Wakanda has gotten a little rocky following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The Wakandans took umbrage with Bucky after he helped Zemo escape from prison.
The Wakandans saved Bucky from his Hydra brainwashing — essentially, he owes them his life — so they were understandably miffed when he helped the guy who killed their king break out of jail.
Zemo Escapes From Prison (Again)
After turning the Avengers against each other in Captain America: Civil War, Baron Zemo was sent to prison. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Bucky helped him break out so he could assist with their investigation.
At the end of the series, he’s thrown back in jail, but there’s a hint that he could be back. His butler was seen killing the surviving Flag-Smashers on their way to the Raft.
There Could Be More Homemade Super-Soldier Serums Out There
It’s unclear if Captain America 4 will take the place of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier season 2 or simply offer a stepping stone towards it, but either way, it’ll carry on from the plot points and themes of the series.
The show’s villains were the Flag-Smashers, who gave themselves a Super-Soldier Serum. While all the super-soldiers that we know of (except Bucky and Walker) have been killed, there could be more homemade serums out there.
Who Is Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine?
One of the coolest surprises in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ cameo appearance. She plays the mysterious Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who recruits John Walker to become U.S. Agent.
Very little is known about the character so far. Hopefully, Marvel has a multi-part villain arc planned for the screen legend who played Elaine Benes and Selina Meyer.
General Ross Assembles The Thunderbolts
Ever since William Hurt’s General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross from The Incredible Hulk was reintroduced into the MCU ensemble in Captain America: Civil War, fans have been speculating that he’ll assemble a Thunderbolts team.
In the comics, the Thunderbolts are a team of reformed supervillains. There are a bunch of possible candidates for the team in the MCU already: Ghost, Zemo, Abomination, etc.
Sam And Bucky’s Growing Friendship
At the beginning of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam and Bucky didn’t get along and planned to take a long break from each other after their mission was over.
However, in the finale, after they’d helped each other with a few problems and become endeared to each other, they kept hanging out after their mission ended. Captain America 4 can explore their growing friendship in more depth.
