Warning — This article contains spoilers for the fifth episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
It is no secret that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is on a roll, mainly due to its compelling narrative combined with an impressive roster of new and returning characters from the MCU.
Aside from the titular pair of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, the series also features the MCU returns of Emily VanCamp's Sharon Carter and Daniel Brühl's Zemo, but these major figures were only the tip of the iceberg. Joining the core members of the show are new additions such as Erin Kellyman's Karli Morgenthau, Wyatt Russell's John Walker, and the surprise inclusion of Danny Ramirez's Joaquin Torres.
Torres was first introduced in the debut episode of The Falcon and Winter Soldier as Sam's wingman and close ally from the military. Ever since the character's charismatic arrival, Torres was only featured briefly in the narrative, mainly providing Sam with intel about the Flag Smashers.
The limited role of Torres made fans wonder if the character's presence in the Disney+ series will only be a one-time thing, but comments made by people who are involved in the show suggest the opposite.
DANNY RAMIREZ TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT IN MARVEL SHOW
Several members of the cast and crew of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about the Marvel series, and one of the topics that were discussed is the potential future of Danny Ramirez's Joaquin Torres in the MCU.
Falcon star Anthony Mackie revealed that seeing the MCU debut of Ramirez reminded him of his first day on the set of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, describing the actor as a “consummate professional” who seizes every opportunity:
“I saw in his face what my face must have looked like my first day on Captain America: Winter Soldier. The amount of excitement. Every beat, every opportunity he was given, he jumped on it, like a consummate professional. All of those early days, just soaking it all in like a sponge.”
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showrunner Malcolm Spellman expressed the same sentiment, admitting that Ramirez is “one of those people who feels inevitable.” Spellman noted that "Marvel execs" are like him in the fact that they're enthusiastic about Ramirez's rising stardom:
“He's going to blow up. It's not because he's doing big stuff, it's because everybody — Marvel execs, creatives, filmmakers like me, and fans — are all having the exact same reaction. ... He is one of those people who feels inevitable.”
In the pages of Marvel comics, Ramirez's Joaquin Torres eventually became his own version of the Falcon after Sam took the mantle of Captain America. Given that the latest episode showed that the mechanical wings of the Avenger were left in the custody of Torres, it seems that the character is gearing up for his own heroic transformation.
While the future remains unclear for his character, Ramirez shared that he will be always ready if ever an opportunity knocks in his door:
“If it gets to this privileged place, I better know what positive impact I want to make.”
THE MCU FUTURE OF JOAQUIN TORRES
The comments made by Mackie and Spellman should serve as evidence that there is a bright future ahead for Danny Ramirez in the MCU.
It's fitting that Mackie compared Ramirez to his first outing as the Falcon during The Winter Soldier, considering that the film served as the launchpad for the winged Avenger in the superhero franchise. That said, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier could play a similar role for Joaquin Torres, and this could very well be the start of the hero's journey of the character.
Part of the fun of exploring characters in long-form storytelling is the fact that no one knows what to expect, and these Disney+ series provide unique opportunities to bring in new individuals that could have major roles down the line. Spellman's “inevitable” remark regarding Ramirez fits that approach, seemingly hinting that the brief role of Torres in the show will turn into something big in a future project.
It remains to be seen where Ramirez will end up after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but Sam's trust in him could eventually lead to more appearances, especially now that he is now gearing up to be the next Captain America.
If Marvel decides to transform Torres into the next Falcon, Ramirez seems poised to take the role, with the actor willing to provide a “positive impact” when that time comes.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is now streaming on Disney+.
