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‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’: How a ’12-Second Moment’ From ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Created the Show

Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson first meet in 'Captain America: Civil War.' A short scene between the two characters in the film is actually what inspired Marvel Studios to create the TV series 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.'
by Eryn Murphy
Published on
2 min read

On March 19, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will premiere on Disney+. The miniseries stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier. Its story is set six months after the events of Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame.

Ever since Captain America: Civil War, Marvel fans have loved the dynamic between Bucky and Sam. It turns out producers at Marvel Studios love the dynamic too, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was created because of a “12-second moment” between Sam and Bucky in Captain America: Civil War.

Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie speak at the Marvel Studios Panel during 2019 Comic-Con
Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie | Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier interact in ‘Captain America: Civil War’

Bucky and Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) were childhood friends. While Steve thought Bucky died in World War II, he finds out in Captain America: The Winter Soldier that Bucky is an assassin for Hydra known as the Winter Soldier.

Steve becomes close with Sam during the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier as they fight Bucky, and Steve eventually breaks through Bucky’s brainwashing enough that Bucky saves Steve’s life before going rogue.

Captain America: Civil War was released in 2016, and the movie is the first Phase Three film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Bucky and Sam meet on good terms for the first time in Captain America: Civil War.

Because of Bucky’s past as a brainwashed assassin with Hydra, Sam is distrustful of Bucky. He does not treat him as kindly as Steve does and sometimes seems to go out of his way to let Bucky know that he does not really like him.

‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ was created because of ‘Captain America: Civil War’

At one point during Captain America: Civil War, Steve, Bucky, and Sam are using a cramped Volkswagen Beetle. When Steve is out of the car, Bucky asks Sam if he can move his seat up to give him more legroom in the back.

Sam replies with a stern “No,” and Bucky begrudgingly scoots over.

According to Malcolm Spellman, one of the show’s executive producers and creators, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was created because of this moment in Captain America: Civil War.

“I believe this series was ordained by Mr. Feige and all the Marvel fans in that 12-second moment of Captain America: Civil War when Sam and Bucky are sitting in a car together,” he told Polygon.

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Spellman continued, “I think everyone knew they had to have something together from that moment on. And it was just about the right time to bring it to life.”

What Marvel fans can expect from the upcoming Disney+ show

So far, trailers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier have promised a lot of action. However, Spellman promises the show has a huge emotional core when it comes to the characters.

“Bucky Barnes is dealing with grief,” Spellman told Polygon. “And then Sam is dealing with the symbolism of being Captain America, and whether it’s appropriate.”

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will premiere on Disney+ at midnight PDT and 3 a.m. EDT on March 19.

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