A common theory about Captain America: Brave New World surrounds the death of a specific character, which now seems more likely after the director’s comments about the story. The upcoming MCU movie will be released in February 2025 and feature Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson. Now that Sam has donned the mantle of Captain America as of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s ending, Captain America 4 will see him reckon with a changing world from new villains to the absence of the Avengers.

Overall, the story of Captain America 4 is highly anticipated for those excited to see Sam finally come into his own as the titular hero. Beyond that, there are many threats that have been established for the film, including Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk and Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader. These members of Captain America 4‘s cast will undoubtedly put many of the film’s heroes in danger, with a common theory crafted pre-release centering on a specific death. With the film’s director recently commenting on Captain America 4‘s story, this theory seems more likely to come true than ever.

Captain America 4’s Falcon Death Theory Has Already Been Around For Some Time

Joaquin Torres’ Future Looks Uncertain

The character around which this Captain America: Brave New World theory surrounds is Joaquin Torres. Torres, played by Danny Ramirez, was first introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, taking on the mantle of the former superhero after Sam Wilson became Captain America. In Captain America 4, Torres will be the primary hero who investigates the conspiracy at the heart of the film alongside Captain America, leading many to speculate that he will not make it out of the film alive.

The reason for this stems from the tendency of the MCU to kill off side characters and villains. This has long been a trope of the franchise, with Captain America 4‘s marketing adding fuel to the theory-based fire. Thus far, Torres has rarely appeared in the film’s marketing. The main appearance of the character comes in the action scene centered around Eternals‘ crystalized Celestial, with little else being seen of him beyond this. Although this could be Marvel Studios putting more focus on characters like Red Hulk, many have taken this as all but confirmation of the new Falcon’s death.

Captain America: Brave New World’s Director Describing The Bond Between Captain America & Falcon Makes The Death Theory Seem More Likely

To make matters worse, the director of Captain America: Brave New World has recently commented on the relationship between Sam’s Captain America and Joaquin’s Falcon. Julius Onah sat down with Empire Magazine (via MCU – The Direct) to explore the dynamic between the new iterations of Cap and Falcon, with many taking his comments as further evidence that the latter will be killed in the film. When asked about their relationship, Onah mentioned that Sam has a “big brother dynamic” with Joaquin.

What could be more of an emotional center of the film than Torres, described as being like Sam’s younger brother, being killed off?

Furthermore, Onah stated that their relationship will be “one of the key emotional centers of the film.” As alluded to, these comments have theory crafters convinced that Torres is doomed in Captain America: Brave New World. After all, what could be more of an emotional center of the film than Torres, described as being like Sam’s younger brother, being killed off? This would give Sam a much more personal reason for taking down the film’s villains, making the theory of Joaquin’s death all the more likely.

Why Captain America 4 Killing Off Falcon Could Be Good For The Movie

Brave New World Could Be Ironically Improved By This Theory Coming True

While it would be cool to see a new Falcon become Sam’s sidekick in the MCU going forward, Captain America 4 killing the character off could be for the best. For one, as explored, it would allow the film to be more emotionally impactful should Sam and Joaquin’s relationship be an emotional core of the story as Onah described. Secondly, the film already has an incredibly stacked cast of characters. Be it Sam, Joaquin, Thunderbolt Ross, The Leader, Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder, Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley, or Liv Tyler’s Betty Ross, Captain America 4 is already looking like a busy movie.

Additional cast members for Captain America 4 include Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Takehiro Hira, Seth Rollins, and Rosa Salazar.

In removing Joaquin Torres from the story, not only will Captain America 4 be more emotional should his relationship with Sam be depicted well, but it would give the film more of a focus. Through Falcon’s death, the singular drive of the film could be, aptly, avenging him, positively reducing the cast size as a result. Finally, many have wondered how Sam Wilson’s Cap will be folded back into the story of the MCU’s Avengers movies. If Falcon dies in Captain America 4, Sam would likely be more willing to seek out existing MCU heroes in the future, as he is now without a sidekick.

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