Has Sam Wilson aka Falcon (Anthony Mackie) used super soldier serum to become Captain America in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier? Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is moving forward with Sam replacing Steve Rogers as Captain America. This transition will take place during Marvel Studios’ first Disney+ show and was teased in the recently released footage.

In just a short amount of time, the direction of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has already started to take shape. While Sam and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) are the stars, the footage teased U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) being paraded around - likely as the government-approved Captain America replacement. Set photos have confirmed he’s using the same shield Steve gave to Sam, but the teaser also confirmed that Sam would have it for some time as well. How or when he loses the shield remains to be seen, but Sam shows off his skills in the footage.

One of the earliest shots from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier that was shown featured Sam practicing how to use the Captain America shield. He throws it across the yard with ease and not for the first time, as the prior shot had the shield lodged into the side of a tree. Sam throwing the laws-of-science-defying shield is a small moment, but the distance and speed at which it travels are noteworthy. It is certainly a throw that at the very least begs the question about whether or not Falcon has found an avenue to gain some super soldier abilities.

Given what is known about Falcon’s history in Marvel comics, the natural assumption to make is that he has not become a super soldier in the MCU. He wasn’t chosen by Steve to be the next Captain America because of his physical strength or durability, but rather his character. If Steve (and Marvel Studios) wanted the next Cap to be a super soldier, then giving Bucky the mantle would’ve been the easier path to take. As for his impressive shield throw, that could be chalked up to the lightweight nature of vibranium. After all, even Hawkeye - who has no powers to speak of - managed a great toss of the shield in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

All that said, it also would be fascinating to see Falcon become enhanced somehow because he thinks he needs the added power to fill Steve’s shoes appropriately. Steve’s character may be what made him Dr. Erskine’s choice to get the super soldier serum, but he wouldn’t have had his heroic life without the serum flowing through his veins. Sam may also have to face a super soldier in U.S. Agent, and if he is the government’s choice to be the new Cap, it is easy to understand why Sam may want powers even more. Depending on their plans for the future, Marvel Studios could also borrow from Patriot’s storyline and have Falcon use some experimental formula to give him said powers.

Based on this footage alone, it might be premature to state that Sam has taken the super soldier serum, but it is an option that could be on the table. Details on what The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is really about are just now starting to surface, so more information on the series will continue to shed more light on it in the coming months. But, we likely won’t know for sure whether or not Falcon is stronger than ever before until The Falcon and The Winter Soldier arrives later this year.

MORE: Marvel Theory: Baron Zemo Isn’t Falcon & Winter Soldier’s Real Villain

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