Although its production schedule has been delayed, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will still arrive on our screens at some point in the future. The first Disney+ show on Marvel Studios’ Phase Four slate is set to continue the adventures of newly dubbed Captain America Sam Wilson and ex-assassin Bucky Barnes. If you know anything about the Marvel Cinematic Universe or these two characters, then you know the series is sure to be an action-packed and hilarious ride. And with the MCU being as expansive as it is, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume the series will feature a few nice Easter Eggs.
Plot details for the highly anticipated show are, of course, being kept close to the vest, yet it’ll likely include a few references to past events within the MCU. And some of them could also help to push our beloved characters’ stories forward. So let’s take a look at some potential Easter Eggs for Sam and Bucky’s next adventure:
A Nod To Steve Rogers
If you’re like most MCU fans, you’re probably still not over losing Steve Rogers, who chose to go back to the past before returning to the present as an old man at the end of Avengers: Endgame. However, what's still unclear is just how aware the public is of Steve Rogers’ exact fate. Obviously, the world knows Steve is gone, but was anything (aside from that hilarious and sweet montage in Spider-Man: Far From Home) done to commemorate his legacy?
It would be nice to see some kind of tribute to Steve Rogers early on in The Falcon and the Winter Solider. This could either be a monument to him or even a news report mentioning that he died peacefully at the age of 112. Any such reference to Steve Rogers may be bittersweet, but it’s tough to deny that it would be powerful to see a statue of Cap, with a plaque reading, “Steve Rogers: The First Avenger.”
A Flashback With Sam And Riley
Sam Wilson is finally taking center stage and with that, you’d have to assume the show will dive a bit deeper into his personal life. This could even include the first friend Sam lost – Riley. When talking about his late wingman back in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Sam still seemed to be reeling from the loss. And now that he’s lost another friend in Steve Rogers (albeit in a totally different way), similar feelings could still be resurfacing for Wilson. With all of this in mind, it wouldn’t hurt to see a flashback that formally introduces Riley.
Including a scene with Riley would help to shine a light on Sam’s service as a pararescue airman and further illuminate just how deep the relationship between Wilson and his wingman was. We don’t necessarily need to see his death, just something to show the chemistry between the two friends. In addition to expanding his backstory, the memory of his comrade may also help Sam to better process the grief he’s now feeling over losing Rogers. While it may seem like a small thread in the grand scheme of things, it may just be vital to helping Sam Wilson move on.
Some Help From Everett Ross
When we last saw Everett Ross, he was helping T’Challa, Okoye and their allies stop Erik Killmonger from taking control of Wakanda. The former Air Force pilot was on special assignment with the CIA in Black Panther and is likely still working with him to protect the advanced, African nation. But before his adventures with the royal hero, he was working with the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre and overseeing imprisonment of Helmut Zemo.
Ross may have other things on his plate at the moment, but that doesn’t mean he still couldn’t drop in briefly to provide Sam and Bucky with some info on Zemo’s whereabouts. Admittedly, most of this may come through Sharon Carter yet, with a dangerous criminal like Zemo on the loose, the JCTC may want all hands on deck. Ross’ role would only call on him to provide exposition, but it would be a nice nod to his debut in Captain America: Civil War and could even provide us with a brief mention of what’s going on with Wakanda. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love to see Martin Freeman pop up in a project?
The Day Sokovia Fell
Most of us would agree that Helmut Zemo is a scheming, murderous madman who wanted nothing more than to see the Avengers tear each other apart. However, he also proved to be one of the MCU’s most sympathetic villains. His revenge-fueled path began when his wife, son and father were killed during the Battle of Sokovia. We saw how that situation panned out during the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, but it would be interesting to see it from Zemo’s perspective.
Like the heroes of this show, Zemo also has the potential to be further developed, and highlighting the day he lost his family would help show a different side of him. As mentioned, we know him as a vengeful antagonist, but it would be intriguing to see that same person as a devoted husband, father and son. Additionally, this would also allow us to see the Battle of Sokovia from a civilian’s POV as opposed to seeing it from above through the eyes of a god or a billionaire in a metal suit. Zemo was always a metaphor for the collateral damage caused by the Avengers, and having this scene could ultimately extend that notion.
Return Of The Winter Soldier Book
One of smallest – and most important -- plot points introduced in Civil War was the Winter Soldier book. The manuscript contained a plethora of information regarding the Winter Soldier Program, including the trigger words used to activate Bucky Barnes. When we last saw it, Zemo used it to prompt Bucky into wreaking havoc at the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre Building. And as far as we know, Zemo still has it, which means it could theoretically reappear in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Of course, with Bucky now cured of the HYDRA programming and the other Winter Soldiers dead, the book is practically useless, and you can imagine how great it’ll be to see Zemo discover this when confronting Barnes. Still, it would be nice to see Barnes take ownership of the book and ultimately destroy it. Bucky has finally shed the Winter Soldier identity and permanently disposing of the book would allow him to formally close the door on that chapter of his life.
A Callback To The Car
Sam and Bucky shared a few humorous scenes in Civil War, but none were arguably funnier than when Sam refused to adjust his seat for Bucky in that small car. In hindsight, it was only a tease for the impending clashes the two will have moving forward. But why not call back to that signature moment in the new show?
Not only was the scene hilarious, but it was also the first time Wilson and Barnes directly exchanged dialogue with each other. Honestly, the scene would just be a nice way to pay homage to one of the MCU’s funniest moments. And to avoid simply rehashing the original joke, the writers could switch things up by having Sam be denied extra legroom by Bucky. Because we all know that, deep down, Bucky hasn’t forgotten that sheer amount of pettiness.
But what MCU Easter Eggs would you like to see in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? Let us know in the comments below! And keep it here at CinemaBlend for updates on the show’s release date, along with other news from the world of TV and movies.
