This article is about Sam Wilson, who currently holds the mantle of Captain America. For other articles that share the same name, see Captain America.
“I'm a black man carrying the stars and stripes. What don't I understand? Every time I pick this thing up, I know there are millions of people who are gonna hate me for it. Even now, here... I feel it. The stares, the judgement. And there's nothin' I can do to change it. Yet, I'm still here. No super serum, no blonde hair, or blue eyes. The only power I have is that I believe we can do better.”
Captain America, formerly known as Falcon (real name Sam Wilson), is a superhero from Marvel Comics and a major character of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He made his cinematic debut in Captain America: The Winter Soldier as a former Air Force pilot and veteran who had used an advanced flight harness equipped with mechanical wings but had retired following the death of his friend and partner Riley. However, when HYDRA had emerged from infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. and planned to murder thousands of people, Sam re-donned his wings and suit, becoming the Falcon and allying with Captain America to stop them. He has since joined the Avengers.
He continues to act as an ally and the partner of Captain America, as well as a member of the Avengers throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When Captain America retires during the events of Avengers: Endgame, he gives his shield to Sam in order to pass on his legacy to his friend. He and Bucky Barnes are the titular protagonists of the Disney+ series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, which shows Sam slowly accepting his role as the new Captain America.
Sam is a level-headed person, motivated, and engages in regular exercises. Like Steve, he has a sense of duty and willing to fight for what he believes in. Sam also provides Steve with wise counsel, even if Steve doesn't agree. He also has a sense of humor.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Flight: Using his specialized winged jetpack, Sam is able to fly faster than the speed of a jet, but with an enhanced degree of maneuverability and agility similar to that of an actual falcon. He was able to avoid automatic fire from an Insight Quinjet and the shots of the Insight Helicarriers' main weaponry. Besides enhancing Falcon's mobility, the EXO-7 Falcon can also increase the force generated by some of Falcon's physical strikes via the increased momentum and acceleration created by his jetpack.
Enhanced Vision: The EXO-7's goggles allow Sam to view in multiple spectrums and see objects that are either far away or too small to see for the naked eye.
Abilities[]
Expert Acrobat: In order to withstand the equilibrium shifting caused by flight, Wilson is an expert acrobat. Many times during his battle with HYDRA, Wilson had to couple his acrobatic skills with his flight maneuvers to avoid being shot from the sky.
Expert Marksman: Sam is a very accurate marksman skilled in sharpshooting, as he has shown with his retractable sidearms and expertise with U.S. military firearms.
Expert Hand-To-Hand Combatant/Martial Artist: As a former member of the United States Armed Forces, Sam is highly trained and skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Sam's fighting style includes a combination of firearm improvisation, flight maneuvers such as swooping and aerial grappling, and modern army combatives. Wilson's modern army combatives derive elements from Muay Thai, American Boxing, and Taekwondo. He was able to subdue HYDRA operatives and hold his own against STRIKE leader Brock Rumlow, though he was unable to defeat him.
Expert Tactician: Sam has shown capabilities in planning special operations, as he was able to help Captain America and his team strategize the plan to destroy the Insight Helicarriers and unmask HYDRA. He was able to react and respond to Ant-Man's unprecedented appearance and was able to perfectly counter his unique attacks after only viewing them momentarily.
Master Pilot: Sam displays the utmost skill when flying with his EXO wings; he can perform many advanced and complicated maneuvers while in midair.
Falcon was sent by Dell Rusk under his mind control to capture Bruce Banner while the Red Hulk distracted the other Avengers in the Helicarrier. But it soon made conflict with Hawkeye who was at the Mansion. Despite his efforts, Falcon was defeated and driven away.
Shortly after, Falcon along with Doc Samson and Winter Soldier were sent by Dell Rusk to capture the Avengers. When he entered the Mansion he encountered Hawkeye, who had defeated him days ago. Hawkeye manages to defeat him despite being exposed to the toxin. He was later made available to SHIELD psychiatrits because he was being controlled by Red Skull.
He later aids the Avengers in the battle against Galactus' heralds.
Sam, in his Captain America identity, makes a very brief appearance in the episode "Today, I Am a Woman". It is established that the villain Odessa Drake has stolen weaponry from the Avengers sometime in the past. After Moon Girl defeats her, the hero calls Captain America to come and pick her up. Only the back of his head and costume are shown, though based on the silent treatment he gives a very nervous Odessa, it is implied that he is not too happy with how he she continuously stole from him and his teammates.
Sam Wilson is an ex-military paratrooper who works with veterans in Washington, D.C. Secretly trained by the military in aerial combat using a specially designed wing pack from Project: Falcon. When his partner and friend, Riley was killed in action during a mission; he decided to leave his military career. Sam found that he had a hard time trying to find a reason to continue serving. However shortly after, Falcon becomes an indispensable ally when he teams up with Captain America and Black Widow to run a danger-filled race to halt an impending threat in its tracks.
One day, Sam met Steve Rogers while he running around the Capitol. He was very impressed by Rogers' speed. Wilson and Rogers struck up a conversation after running. Suddenly, Natasha Romanoff arrives and takes Steve on a mission. The next day, Steve went to where Sam was helping war veterans. After the talk between war veterans, Sam told Rogers the reasons why he abandoned his military career.
Falcon joins the cause of Captain America after Rogers and Romanoff arrive at his department requesting shelter. After Sitwell and Stern out of a meeting, Samm calls Sitwell pretending to be Alexander Pierce, Wilson says to go with him unless he wants to ruin his tie. Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanoff interrogate Sitwell. While the trio and Sitwell go to the Triskelion, they are ambushed by the Winter Soldier and subsequently arrested by the Strike team. When it seemed to be killed by the Strike team, they were rescued by a disguised Maria Hill.
After visiting Fury, Sam helped Steve Rogers to stop one of the three Helicarriers but they went to remove the last Helicarrier, they were stopped by the Winter Soldier. Sam battled with the Winter Soldier but his flight suit is damaged during the fight. While Brock Rumlow walked into the room where they were meeting the World Security Council, Sam arrives and stops him. During the battle of Rumlow and Wison, a Helicarrier crashes into the building where the fight took place, Sam escapes by jumping from the 41st floor but Rumlow has not so lucky and is trapped in the building.
Finished the battle between HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D., he went to the hospital to visit Steve, who was badly wounded. When Rogers woke up, he jokes saying "On your left" (the same joke when they met). As HYDRA still active, Fury offers to join him to exterminate HYDRA, Wilson refuses, explaining that he is more a soldier than a spy. However, he joins in the search of Captain America for Bucky.
Sam Wilson went to Avengers Tower to attend the party that the Avengers made after recovering Loki's scepter and the capture of Baron Strucker. He talked with Rogers about the battle and the search for Barnes and also said he was not very interested in being an Avenger.
After the defeat of Ultron, Wilson was recruited along with Vision, Scarlet Witch, and War Machine as new members of the Avengers.
Months after the Battle of Sokovia and becoming an Avenger, Falcon was in charge of protecting the New Avengers Facility. During his watch, he realized that someone had infiltrated the facility for unknown reasons. That someone was Scott Lang, who presented him as Ant-Man. He believed that the name was ridiculous, which Lang replied that he did not choose that name and also he declared a fan of Falcon. Wilson asked Lang the reason for his infiltration; Lang replied that he only was looking for a device that he needed.
That answer did not like Falcon and immediately attacked Lang, who uses the skills of his suit and attack techniques that Hope showed managed to defeat an Avenger. Days later, he began the search for Ant-Man because he believed he could be useful to the Avengers.
Later, in a post-credits scene, Sam and Steve have Barnes in their custody planning their next move, Rogers suggests calling in Stark but decides not to, and Wilson says he may know a guy.
Falcon, along with the newly formed team of Avengers (except Vision and War Machine) were in Lagos attempting to capture Crossbones who stole a biological weapon however when he sets off an explosion Scarlet Witch attempted to contain the blast but instead accidentally hits innocents in a building, Rogers than quickly contacted Wilson to call for medical and fire.
In the aftermath, Falcon and his fellow Avengers; Captain America, Black Widow, Vision, War Machine, and Scarlet Witch also former Avenger Tony Stark was present when Thaddeus Ross arrived at the New Avengers Facility to presented the Sokovia Accords, and side with his friend Steve Rogers not to side them, while Stark, Rhodes, Romanoff, and Vision agreed to sign them. He also assisted Cap, after the Winter Soldier who was chased by Black Panther, after a chase they all were arrested by War Machine and police who stopped them all.
He later along with Steve Rogers was able to capture Bucky Barnes after months of search. Rogers told Wilson that they would not inform Tony Stark since they could not trust him, which Wilson replied that he knew a guy who could help them.
He participated in the Avengers Civil War, on Rogers' side, but he ended up getting arrested and imprisoned in the underwater prison complex the Raft, but was later freed by Rogers. He, Rogers, and Romanoff brought Barnes to Wakanda, where King T'Challa agreed to help him as a sign of apology for trying to kill him. Going undercover, the three worked as vigilantes to keep doing good.
While Ant-Man and Hawkeye decided to return to their homes and stay in house arrest, Sam decided to remain with Steve Rogers, and was joined by Black Widow and Wanda to go on the run for two years. They were contacted by Nick Fury and assisted him in tracking down Syrian terrorist cells using Chitauri-fuelled weapons.
After Bruce Banner contacted them to warn them of the threat of Thanos sending the Black Order to Earth to claim the Infinity Stones left on Earth, Falcon and the others headed to Edinburgh, Scotland to protect Vision. They arrived just as Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight were attempting to extract the Mind Stone from Vision. Once Wanda and Vision were beaten, the Black Order got distracted by Captain America, who blocked their attack, allowing Wilson to move to the offensive on them. Falcon entered straight into the battle, knocking out Midnight into a nearby shop window and firing his missiles at Glaive, distracting him while Black Widow appeared and gutted him with Midnight's spear.
With both adversaries defeated, Sam aimed his twin guns at the warriors. With the Black Order duo at their mercy, Widow warned them of their demise if necessary, Midnight said it would be their only chance before retreating into their vessel, taking back their weapons. With their enemies gone, Falcon went to check on the wounded Vision with the rest, seeing his damaged vibranium. Sam and his friends took Vision to the Quinjet to leave for safety, as the Black Order would return for the Mind Stone, at the expense of destroying Vision. As they flew, Captain America told them to head to the New Avengers Facility, returning home after a long period since the Avengers' fallout.
Taking Vision to medical aid for his injuries and heading to their headquarters from the Black Order's attack, on their Quinjet, Wilson and the others find James Rhodes in conversation with Thaddeus Ross via hologram. Rhodes cut off Ross after he demanded the arrest of Wilson and the others for violation of the Sokovia Accords. Rhodes then greeted his teammates, commenting on their terrible state of appearances.
Wilson joined the rest of the Avengers in debating over Vision's protection and the keeping the Mind Stone away from Thanos on his quest. Eventually, it was settled on bringing Vision to Wakanda to recruit Shuri in separating the Mind Stone safely without killing Vision and destroying the Mind Stone.
Intending on removing the Mind Stone safely, Wilson flew the Quinjet to Africa with his friends. Wilson, although uneasy, followed Rogers' order to enter straight into the forest, entering the city of Wakanda, where he landed. The Avengers were greeted by King T'Challa, offering thanks for his aid, and following his teammates, and the Dora Milaje, preparing for the Black Order's return. As he waited outside with Bucky Barnes, he noticed the Outrider Dropships landing, which he notified the others of.
With their foe's legions arriving outside Wakanda, Sam flew into position with Wakanda's armies and the Avengers. He then witnessed their negotiation attempts fail, as Proxima unleashed her Outrider hordes from their transports, charging towards them, even in getting killed on impact with the shields.
Five years later, Sam is resurrected along with 50% of the universe and is brought through a portal to participate in the Battle of Earth with every Avenger that survived and was dusted. Sam speaks with Steve via his helmet, signifying his arrival as well as other Avengers. Sam survives the Battle of Earth and later attends Iron Man's funeral after he used the Infinity Stones to erase Thanos and his army from existence at the cost of his life, with their friends and family.
Shortly after the funeral, Sam offers to go with Steve to help with returning the stones to their proper time periods, but the Captain says he must do this alone. Before leaving, Steve mentions how Sam is a good man in wanting to help him, Sam, Smart Hulk and Bucky watch as Steve travels back in time but notice he has gone past the time he is meant to return. Sam and Bucky suddenly notice an old man sitting by the lake and deludes that it is Steve Rogers. Bucky tells Sam to go to him where he hesitantly asks if this man really is his friend. Steve confirms by saying Sam's name and tells him that he decided to live the life he missed 80 years ago. Learning that Captain America is gone, Sam is given the hero's shield by Steve, who is happy to pass on the Captain America mantle to Sam, honouring what Abraham Erskine told Steve all those years ago, about a good man being capable of being Captain America. Sam accepts the shield and tells his friend that he will do his best to continue his legacy, to which Steve says that is why the shield is Sam's.
Sam Wilson returns in this Disney+ series as one of the titular protagonists, set 6 months after Avengers: Endgame. In the first episode, Sam decides to hand over the Captain America shield to the Smithsonian museum as he doesn't feel right carrying on Steve Rogers' legacy as Captain America. After John Walker is proclaimed the new Captain America, Sam works with Bucky Barnes to bring down the Flash Smashers, as well as the new Captain America. After defeating John Walker, Sam reclaims the shield and starts training with it, accepting the mantle of Captain America, and becoming friends with Bucky throughout the process. In the final episode, Sam has officially become the new Captain America and is able to live a quiet life with his family and Bucky in Louisiana, as well as continuing Steve's legacy as Captain America.
The Falcon is one of the victims of Quantum Virus outbreak in "What If... Zombies!?". He attacked the survivors at the Grand Central Terminal, before he was killed by Okoye.
Season Three[]
Another variant of Sam Wilson is set to appear in a season 3 episode alongside Monica Rambeau.[1]
Sam Wilson will return in the fourth instalment of the franchise, as the titular protagonist, set sometime after officially taking on the Captain America mantle.
In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Falcon's outfit is based off his Ultimate Marvel outfit. It received a slight re-design in Avengers: Age of Ultron by adding in some red and white colors as a nod to his original outfit from the mainstream Marvel Universe. His Captain America suit is based off the one he wore in the mainstream comics during his time as Captain America.
Sam's military background is based off his Ultimate Marvel counterpart.
In the comics, Sam also was the new Captain America after Bucky was Cap temporarily.
Sam's Captain America white suit symbolizes peace and non-judgement which contrasts with John Walker's suit that didn't have any white on it, showing John's darker side as Captain America.
In The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Sam repeatedly gets referred to as "The Black Falcon", to which he replies that it's just "The Falcon". This is a homage to how Sam was the first black comic-book hero to not have "Black" in his title.
Anthony Mackie said that Sam's final speech in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier finale was going to reference Donald Trump's "Make America great again" slogan, but it was cut.[3]
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