Adapting The Falcon for Captain America 2

The Falcon demonstrating the two polar ends of bad costume design for superheroes.

Gearing up for Marvel phase 2 the Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to feature a new partner for The First Avenger; Sam Wilson aka the Falcon.  This comes as no surprise. The Falcon has been a long standing partner and friend of Cap. The Falcon also is was one of the first (if not the first) African-American superheroes. He has appeared in several incarnations of the Avengers as a main member and a reservist. His inclusion is a logical choice for a sequel. I’ve always liked the Falcon as a character but I have a hard time picturing him in film. His costume and powers are cheesy and cartoony. How’s marvel going to pull this off?

The Falcon’s powers include flight via a wing harness strapped to his back, and an empathic connection to his pet bird Redwing which can be extended to other birds if he concentrates. Though there are respectable advantages to a fighter who can fly and control birds, within the mechanics of a comic, this powerset seems a bit too silly and eccentric for a live action movie. Essentially he is an avian version of Aquaman, who flies rather than swims.  Paired with a bright red and white costume with a v-neck that plunges to his navel the Falcon won’t fit into a live action film believably unless altered. When updated for the Ultimate Continuity the Falcon, was Dr. Sam Wilson a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and inventor who worked for as a freelancer. The colors of his costume were changed to black. It resembled standard combat gear except with collapsible wings. This version was too boring and didn’t emphasize the character ‘s status as an actual superhero.

Take elements of this wingsuit, Marvel

So how should Marvel adapt the Falcon? I’d start from the ground up. If the character fits into the narrative in a moving and meaningful way, it will make up for his cheesiness.  What does Cap and the Falcon’s relationship mean to the overall story? The Winter Soldier will be about Captain America’s old partner coming back as an evil brainwashed ex KGB soldier. Steve Rogers lost everything and everyone he cared about when he was frozen. He lost his home and family. Bucky becoming the Winter Soldierrubs salt in that wound. The Falcon represents him finding a new home and a new family. The Falcon should want to be a superhero, to help him and Cap bond. I would have the character avoid wearing a half mask or cowl. If he wants to be a superhero he shouldn’t dress in the Ultimate costume. It’s black and boring and will fade into the background next to a character who wears Old Glory. To get a touch of realism, I would make the rest of the Falcon’s costume look like the real life wingsuits. It worked in the first Captain America movie when his world war two costume was made to look like a cross between a combat gear and a flight suit. Instead of webbing together the arms and legs, I would include his wings as a collapsible backpack. Though that might remove a bit of realism the wings are the most iconic element of the character and have to be there.They are the core of his powers. As for the rest of the characters powers, namely control of birds, I would include that as a easter egg. Maybe Sam Wilson could mention he trains birds as a hobby.

I’m a strong believer that all elements of the comics can be adapted to the big screen if given the proper context, and thought. I’m excited to see Falcon adapted on the big screen. He’s a cool character and if done right when Avengers 2 inevitably comes out, we can possibly include in an expanded team roster.

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