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Captain America: Brave New World finally arrived in theaters in February, and while the film might not be a hit with critics, audiences sure seem to love it. Following the events of the Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is now Captain America, which means he’s handed over the mantle of Falcon to his pal Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez). In the latest MCU installment, Sam finds himself thrust in the middle of a developing international crisis that threatens peace around the world. As he works to uncover who is really behind the nefarious plot that began with an assassination attempt on President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), he and Joaquin encounter a villain who’s seemingly one step ahead at every turn.
As the MCU continues to find its footing after the Infinity Saga officially concluded with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, new characters undoubtedly play a vital role in the success of future phases. One such character has to be Sam’s new sidekick, Joaquin, who matches Cap’s humor and wit without missing a beat. While Brave New World definitely wasn’t the first time audiences were introduced to Joaquin, as he was initially seen in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it was certainly the first time he took the reins as Falcon. Embodying the role rather well, he’s definitely a character that viewers need to see again after Captain America: Brave New World.
Who Is Joaquin Torres in the MCU?
Captain America: Brave New World
3.5
/5
Release Date
February 14, 2025
Director
Julius Onah
Franchise(s)
Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Viewers first saw Joaquin in the Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where he helped Sam and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) numerous times as they tracked down Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman) and her anti-patriotism group known as the Flag Smashers. As an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force, he served as Sam’s support staff for various missions and ultimately helped to stop Karli and her followers from completing their goals. A fan of the original Falcon from day one, Joaquin eventually takes on the moniker himself after Sam officially becomes Captain America and passes his old suit to Joaquin at the end of the series.
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However, Joaquin doesn’t actually don Falcon’s wings until Brave New World, where he serves as Sam’s de facto sidekick. Much like Sam, Joaquin doesn’t possess any superhuman abilities. He isn’t a super soldier, and he never encountered any sort of gamma radiation. However, as is the case with Sam, he’s adept in other ways. Given his military background, he’s a trained fighter, which certainly helps him work alongside Sam. That being said, many of his abilities are strictly derived from his Falcon suit, which allows him numerous advantages against his enemies.
‘Brave New World’ Showcases Why Audiences Need to See Joaquin Again
With Sam as the new Captain America and Joaquin as the new Falcon, Brave New World made it clear that audiences need to see more of them both. The pair play off one another well and have a brotherly banter full of wit and charm that successfully offsets the serious aspects of the film. Joaquin, in particular, is a character who should continue to appear in future MCU movies in any sort of capacity. Given that the Avengers are bound to reassemble at some point, especially with otherworldly threats on the way, Falcon displayed time and again why he should remain in the fold, if not at the forefront. He’s definitely a worthy would-be Avenger.
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In many ways, Joaquin is very much like Sam. He wants to do the right thing and strives to prove himself as an admirable counterpart to Captain America, which he successfully does in the film, especially from Sam’s perspective. Joaquin was vital in how the narrative of Brave New World unfolded. Without him, Sam would have been left in the dark about the impending threat they faced in the movie. Joaquin clearly showcased his talents in a valiant manner, and audiences need to see more of that as the MCU pushes forward.
It’s clear that Joaquin has the ability to fulfill the duties required of him, and his position alongside Captain America only solidifies his place within the MCU. There might have been a slew of critics who didn’t like Brave New World, but it remains popular enough with viewers, partly due to Joaquin and his introduction as Falcon. If the latest Marvel film did nothing, it at least highlighted why audiences should see more of Joaquin as Falcon in the future. The full catalog of MCU television shows and movies is available on Disney+, while Captain America: Brave New World is currently playing in theaters.
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