Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is set to bring a number of fresh elements to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it continues the journeys of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. The Disney+ series will see the two embark on a global adventure and face dangers that will test their skills (and patience with one another). We don’t know too many specific plot details, but a recent set photo may hint at a major twist that involves an established MCU character.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is currently shooting in Prague, which is where the show was in production when things were shut down earlier this year. Someone just happened to snap a picture (via Twitter) from the set and, interestingly, it shows Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Daniel Brühl’s Helmut Zemo together. With Zemo hanging around the two heroes, it’s leading people to assume that Sam and Bucky are going to team up with Zemo at some point.
This may sound like a wild theory to some, but it could make sense – and hint to major ramifications for the MCU. Set photos have already revealed the presence of another villain in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Georges Batroc, who first appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. So there’s always the possibility that Zemo is helping them to take down the mercenary.
When we last saw Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, he was in federal custody, with his incarceration being overseen by Everett Ross. Fans have long speculated that Marvel Studios has plans for the Thunderbolts, a superhero team that was founded by Zemo in the comics. If Zemo is teaming up with Wilson and Barnes, this could be a way of planting seeds for a more “heroic” Zemo.
It was surprising to hear that Daniel Brühl would be reprising his villainous role for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Though fans more than welcomed it, especially when it was revealed that he would don his famous purple mask. Brühl himself previously spoke about how exciting it was to be able to return to a role and mentioned that he was very happy to find out he’d be wearing the mask.
Zemo didn’t play the typical mustache-twirling villain in Civil War but, in actuality, he ended up being a more sympathetic figure. Given his development so far, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Zemo doesn’t turn out to be the true antagonist of this series. I mean there is that faux Captain America, John Walker/U.S. Agent, after all.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier should be a nice adventure that allows fans to revisit with these characters, and it’s sure to have plenty of twists and turns. This new photo stirs up a number of questions, though, and it’s only going to make the wait that much harder.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will arrive on Disney+ sometime in 2021.
