Joe and Anthony Russo have been making the rounds again in multiple interviews to promote the Chris Hemsworth-starring Extraction, a Netflix original film which was produced by the two brothers. In a recent interview, the two shared that if Tony Stark were to return to the MCU, such a comeback would "have to be earned" in their eyes. It's now been revealed that they shared some another piece of MCU information when discussing their first MCU entry, Captain America: The Winter Soldier .
NEWS
Speaking as guests on CinemaBlend's podcast, RellBlend Project , co-director Anthony Russo revealed that Captain America: The Winter Soldier originally had a different opening scene that took place during a battle in World War II.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier actually opened with a battle during World War II, in one of the drafts. That was a massive battle that ended with a significant moment for Cap, that then fed into the story. And then we ended up cutting back about two months before shooting.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Months after the film opened, multiple storyboards that were created for The Winter Soldier were posted online, with one of them showing exactly what Anthony Russo describes.
This particular storyboard was done by Richard Bennett along with many other artists. Instead of this being a traditional flashback, it would have been a dream that Rogers was having of, what he believed, to be better times; fighting alongside Bucky and the Howling Commandos. In fact, this aspect into Rogers' mind of "happier times" would have made Ultron's comments about Captain America being unable to live without a war sting that much more.
Additionally, this "significant moment" for Rogers that Anthony Russo mentions is likely the reveal that, after Rogers awakens from his dream, Dum Dum Dugan has died, presumably from old age. The purpose of this opening would be establishing Rogers being both a man out of time and one who misses his time with his comrades.
It's not hard to see why this opening was cut, since two scenes accomplish the same goal. His visit with Peggy Carter already helped illustrate his fear of the last of his past dying, especially it being represented by his first love. As for reminiscing of better times, his visit to the museum showed this too, while acting as exposition for audiences who did not see Captain America: The First Avenger .
