The 30-second summary: Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, is a former US Air Force pararescueman turned super hero thanks to his EXO-7 technological wings. Steve Rogers's right hand since Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he inherits the vibranium shield at the end of Avengers: Endgame and officially becomes the new Captain America in the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, then on the big screen. A full look back at his journey, his wings, his suit, and his future in Avengers: Doomsday.
Among all the heroes who have carried the star-spangled shield, none has had a journey quite as singular as Sam Wilson's. Introduced in the MCU as a low-key ally of Steve Rogers, Falcon gradually establishes himself as a pillar of the Avengers, before undergoing the franchise's most symbolic transformation: becoming the new Captain America. From his beginnings as a war-scarred veteran to his red, white, and blue suit, here's the full story of Sam Wilson, the man who learned to fly before learning to carry a legacy.
If you're discovering the Marvel heroes for the first time, or want to place Falcon within the bigger picture of the Avengers characters, this article gives you all the keys: his military background, his wing technology, his relationship with Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers, and finally his central role in the MCU's new era.
Who is Sam Wilson before becoming Falcon?
Before ever putting on a pair of wings, Sam Wilson is a man of the people. A former US Air Force special forces pararescueman, he served alongside his partner Riley in an experimental aerial combat program called EXO-7. Riley's death on a mission drives him to leave the military, weighed down by guilt and PTSD. Back in civilian life, Sam rebuilds himself by working as a counselor for veterans in Washington D.C. — a listening-focused job that would shape his character as a hero for years to come.
It's during a morning jog that Sam first crosses paths with Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). This almost ordinary encounter changes both men's fates forever: Sam quickly becomes a trusted ally in the fight against HYDRA's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D., then a full-fledged member of the Avengers team.
A super hero without super powers
Unlike Thor or Captain Marvel, Falcon has no supernatural powers. His strength lies in his elite military training, his mastery of close combat, and above all his flight technology. It's this combination of humanity and ingenuity that makes Sam Wilson such a deeply relatable hero, much like Tony Stark or Natasha Romanoff, but grounded in a very different military and social reality.
Falcon's technological wings: the EXO-7 suit
The codename "Falcon" comes directly from his gear: a retractable-wing exoskeleton developed for the US military, known as the EXO-7 Falcon Wing Pack. This system, which Sam holds onto after leaving the army, allows him high-speed flight and formidable acrobatic maneuvers. In the MCU, Tony Stark and Sam regularly upgrade the equipment, adding thrusters, built-in weapons, and a navigation system linked to the helmet.
One detail fans love: Falcon also has a bird-shaped drone named Redwing, capable of remote reconnaissance and controlled mentally through a neural interface built into his helmet. This companion becomes an essential strategic tool in several major battles, notably at Sokovia and during the final showdown against Thanos.
From military uniform to super hero suit
Falcon's suit evolves considerably across the films. At first, he wears a dark tactical uniform close to real military gear. Then, as his role within the Avengers grows, the design shifts closer to a super-heroic aesthetic, with wider wings and reinforced vibranium plating gifted by Wakanda after Avengers: Infinity War. This technical evolution mirrors his personal transformation, right up to his final red, white, and blue-tinted suit — an obvious nod to what he's about to become.
| Suit version | Context | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Military EXO-7 | Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Rigid wings, dark tones, limited weaponry |
| Avengers Falcon | Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame | Flexible wings, upgraded thrusters, Redwing drone |
| Wakandan vibranium suit | Infinity War, Endgame | Reinforced armor gifted by Wakanda, increased mobility |
| Captain America suit | The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Brave New World | Red, white, blue, vibranium shield, built-in wings |
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View productFalcon and Captain America: a friendship forged in battle
The bond between Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers is one of the strongest in the whole MCU. From the moment they meet, Sam becomes a moral anchor for Steve, helping him get through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s betrayal at the hands of HYDRA. Their bond deepens during Captain America: Civil War, where Sam sides with Steve without hesitation, alongside Bucky Barnes — despite a tense rivalry with him, as our article on the Avengers' sharpshooter, Hawkeye, another key member of this generation of heroes, explains.
During Avengers: Infinity War and the Battle of Wakanda, Falcon fights on the front line alongside Black Panther in an attempt to stop Thanos. His disappearance in the Snap, then his return during the final battle of Avengers: Endgame, mark one of the film's most moving moments: it's Sam who opens the final portal, delivering the now-iconic line "On your left." This scene cements his status as a front-rank hero once and for all.
The legacy of the shield
At the very end of Avengers: Endgame, an aged Steve Rogers hands his vibranium shield to Sam Wilson, telling him he's now the one who must carry the torch. This quiet but deeply meaningful moment paves the way for the most important arc of Falcon's career: choosing whether or not to become the new Captain America.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series: the weight of the symbol
The event series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier dives deep into Sam Wilson's doubts about this legacy. Unlike Steve Rogers, cast as a national symbol from the 1940s onward, Sam Wilson is a Black man in contemporary America, facing questions his predecessor never had to confront. The series explores this tension through the character of Isaiah Bradley, a Black veteran unjustly imprisoned after himself receiving the super-soldier serum — a story that pushes Sam to question the very legitimacy of the suit.
After an adventure marked by the arrival of John Walker, briefly named Captain America before losing the title following a violent lapse, Sam Wilson finally chooses to fully embrace the role. He designs his own suit, blending the legacy of Steve Rogers's shield with the flight technology that has always been his strength. This choice is essential: Sam never denies who he is, he reinvents the symbol rather than imitating it.
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Marvel Legends Captain America Falcon Figure - Wings Deployed
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View productSam Wilson, new Captain America on the big screen
Following the Disney+ series' success, Marvel Studios confirms the turning point by giving Sam Wilson the lead role in Captain America: Brave New World, where he wears the full suit on the big screen for the first time, without the super-soldier serum, carried only by his training and determination. This choice makes Falcon the first MCU Captain America without superhuman strength — a bold move that underlines that the character's essence was never rooted in physical power.
This continuity carries into upcoming productions. Sam Wilson is expected to play a significant role in Avengers: Doomsday, alongside a massive cast bringing together several generations of Marvel heroes, and even members of the X-Men and Fantastic Four joining the cinematic universe. For the full picture, check out our article on the complete Avengers: Doomsday cast as well as our rundown of MCU Phase 6.
A different Captain America, but true to the original spirit
What makes Sam Wilson's journey so striking is that he never tries to copy Steve Rogers. He keeps using the technical wings inherited from his military past, combining tactical flight with shield combat in a hybrid style all his own. This fusion of Falcon and Captain America makes him one of the most complete characters in the current Avengers roster, alongside historic figures like Thor or Black Widow, whose story is also traced in detail in our complete Avengers character guide.
Why Falcon remains a fan favorite
Falcon appeals to a wide audience for several reasons. First, his grounded, realistic background: unlike gods or billionaire geniuses, Sam Wilson is an everyday hero who helps others even before putting on a suit. Second, his technological wings deliver some of the MCU's most spectacular flight sequences. Finally, the symbolic weight of his promotion to Captain America makes him a deeply meaningful character, often mentioned in rankings of the most iconic Avengers despite lacking super powers.
This popularity shows in collectors' enthusiasm for products featuring him. Figures depicting Falcon and his Captain America suit rank among the most sought-after pieces in our Avengers collectible figures selection.
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POP MART Avengers Figure - Falcon
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View productCosplay fans can also recreate the character's hybrid look with the Captain America Falcon-style costume, which features the red, white, and blue armor along with the iconic shield. At home, you can also extend the heroic vibe with decor pieces like the comic-book style Captain America poster or the classic shield-print cushion cover, both available in our Avengers posters collection.
Frequently asked questions about Falcon and his transition to Captain America
Does Falcon have super powers?
No. Sam Wilson has no supernatural powers. His strength rests entirely on his military training, tactical sense, and his EXO-7 suit equipped with technological wings that give him high-speed flight.
Since when has Falcon been Captain America?
Steve Rogers symbolically hands him the shield at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Sam Wilson actually accepts the role and adopts the full suit at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series, before fully wearing it on the big screen in Captain America: Brave New World.
What does EXO-7 stand for?
EXO-7 is the name of the experimental military program behind Falcon's wing system, developed for the US Air Force before being reclaimed and modernized by Sam Wilson in his life as a super hero.
Does Falcon keep his wings as Captain America?
Yes. It's one of the things that make his suit unique: he combines the vibranium shield inherited from Steve Rogers with a wing system built into his armor, a mix that no previous Captain America ever had.
Will Falcon appear in Avengers: Doomsday?
Sam Wilson is expected among the heroes mobilized in Avengers: Doomsday, whose cast brings together a record number of MCU characters. For everything about the film, check out our dedicated page Avengers: Doomsday, everything you need to know.
Go further into the Avengers universe
- Captain America: From Scrawny Soldier to Super Hero
- How the Avengers First Met
- Avengers Doomsday: Everything We Know About the Film
- Top 10 Most Iconic Avengers Quotes
- The Origins of the Avengers: How the Team Was Formed
The bottom line
From a war-scarred veteran to the rightful heir of the shield, Sam Wilson embodies one of the richest character arcs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His suit, at the crossroads of EXO-7 technology and vibranium symbolism, sums up his whole journey in one image: a hero who never gives up who he is in order to become who he must be. Find his full collection in our Falcon products section, explore our Falcon figures, and round out your collection with Captain America products or Captain America figures. Cosplay fans can also check out our Falcon costumes, our Captain America shields, and the full range of Avengers figures in the store.