Marvel Studios is on top of the entertainment world at the moment thanks to releasing excellent new content in nearly every week of 2021 thus far. After nine weeks of top-shelf adventures in Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany's WandaVision, the two stars have passed the torch to Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, who are now starring in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Continuing after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the follow-up to the Captain America trilogy is perfectly setting up the story for the hero's two closest friends as they navigate a world fully affected by The Blip. While most of "Episode 1" was rightfully focused on adding depth to Sam and Bucky's stories, the 50-minute entry perfectly paid tribute to the MCU's past while setting up its imminent future.
This is proven perfectly by two official stills just released by Disney.
NEW PHOTOS OF DON CHEADLE AND WYATT RUSSELL
Disney has released two official still photos from "Episode 1" of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier featuring Don Cheadle's James Rhodes and Wyatt Russell's John Walker/U.S. Agent. Both photos can be seen below:
Wyatt Russell making his debut appearance as John Walker in the MCU's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The newcomer is already making waves by making a character so hateable in less than ten seconds of screen time.
Don Cheadle making his ninth appearance in the MCU as Colonel James Rhodes, making him the third star to date to appear in all four phases in franchise history.
THE PAST MEETS THE FUTURE
While neither of these characters saw extended screen time in the debut episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, both added to the quality of the story in their own way.
Rhodes was present at the Smithsonian when Sam Wilson gave the shield back to the United States Department of Defense, passing on the Captain America mantle for the time being. War Machine and the Falcon had a touching moment reminiscing over the legacy of their former team leader, and it will be interesting to see if the two connect again when the action picks up in later episodes.
As for the U.S. Agent, Wyatt Russell's mysterious character is kicking off plenty of discussions among MCU fans regarding what he will be up to in his first outing. Being appointed the new Captain America by the US government is clearly rubbing fans and in-universe characters the wrong way, and he could very well be what brings Sam and Bucky together as a duo for the first time next week.
"Episode 2" of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will premiere on Disney+ on Friday, March 26, 2021.
