**SPOILER WARNING!! Do NOT proceed if you do not wish to read any spoilers from the upcoming series premiere of Marvel Studios' The Falcon and the Winter Soldier!**
With the series premiere nearly upon us, we were recently able to sit down with head writer Malcolm Spellman to chat with him about his first major Marvel Studios project, and in our conversation, he briefly references a previously unknown character played by Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick; The Gifted) that makes a pivotal appearance in the series premiere.
While asking him about Ramirez's character, Spellman seemingly confirms that the actor is playing someone named Joaquin, saying "I think Joaquin was asking the same question in the first episode... (more later!)"
While we don't get a last name, the only notable "Joaquin" in the history of Marvel Comics that has any serious ties to Sam Wilson is, of course, Joaquin Torres, who ultimately becomes Wilson's successor as the second Falcon.
In the comics, Torres is a teenager that is abducted by the Sons of the Serpent and, with the use of Redwing, is later transformed into a bird/human hybrid, which Sam later realizes is a permanent condition. Following the defeat of the Serpent Society, Captain America (Sam Wilson) allowed Torres to become his new sidekick.
However, it looks like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will be altering his origin story somewhat as they potentially take a more grounded approach to introducing the hero, ageing him up quite a few years and already making him an ally of Sam's when we meet him.
Check out our full video interview, which includes mild SPOILERS, with head writer Malcolm Spellman below and please don't forget to like and subscribe!
Marvel Studios’ “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. The pair, who came together in the final moments of “Avengers: Endgame,” team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities—and their patience. Directed by Kari Skogland with Malcolm Spellman serving as head writer, the series also stars Daniel Brühl as Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker.