Anthony Mackie officially "replaced" in new Captain America: Brave New World image

Captain America: Brave New World is fast-approaching, with its February 2025 release no longer feeling that far away. Sure, it's not the initially-planned 2024 release fans were hoping far, but it's on the horizon - and that's more than exciting!

There will be an air of change when the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie arrives in theaters. Fans of the franchise will already know that, as Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) will wield the shield after taking over the mantle from longtime friend Steve Rogers - a transition that was set in motion in Avengers: Endgame and came to fruition in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

But a new Captain America means we're going to need a new Falcon, and Marvel Studios is already way ahead of the game, as Sam's former role will be filled by Anthony Remirez's Joaquin Torres. And now, thanks to some merchandise, we have our first glimpse of him in the role.

Joaquin Torres replaces Sam Wilson as the Falcon in first look image

We first met Joaquin Torres in Disney Plus series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. His role on the show wasn't a huge one, but it was more than enough to excite fans because it heavily implied that he could live up to his comic book destiny and become the next Falcon. When Sam Wilson officially took up the mantle of Captain America in the series finale, it pretty much confirmed that a new Falcon was an inevitability too.

Ironically, the return of Sam (as Captain America) will also bring back Joaquin, as Danny Ramirez is indeed set to reprise his role as the character in Captain America: Brave New World. Now, a first look at some of the upcoming film's merchandise has confirmed that he will be taking up the role of the new Falcon, officially replacing Sam.

A new McDonald's promotional advertisement for Captain America 4 has been spotted by Twitter/X user UpToTASK, showcasing the first look at Joaquin Torres' Falcon suit. You can view it below:

It's quite the first look, right? The wings are extremely close in style to those worn by Sam throughout his tenure as The Falcon, but Joaquin has added some of his own style to the look. For starters, it's primarily green, which is a nod to the character's comic book suit. He also sports longer gauntlets and a protective helmet - which bares a striking similarity to the helmet worn by actor David Ramsey when his character on the DC TV series Arrow started going by Spartan.

It's less bird-like than the comic book version and more mechanical, which isn't surprising given that Sam's suit opted for the same approach, but the green color scheme and the helmet are nice nods to the source material that also feel appropriately grounded for the world of the MCU.

The fact that the first look at the suit was revealed via merchandise isn't all that surprising. It's happened on multiple occasions in the past with Marvel Studios properties and it's even already happened with Captain America: Brave New World, with Happy Meal toys confirming that Harrison Ford's President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross will be evolving into the Red Hulk.

Anthony Mackie has done such a wonderful job as The Falcon in the MCU that the thought of him being replaced in the role doesn't feel right, but he (and his character Sam Wilson) will no doubt be equally as wonderful as Captain America. And, for the record, we can't wait to see Danny Ramirez's Joaquin Torres take flight as the next Falcon either!

Captain America: Brave New World arrives in movie theaters on February 14, 2025.