Falcon & The Winter Soldier Proves Why The MCU's Redwing Change Was Right
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiere episode proves the Marvel Cinematic Universe made the right choice by changing Redwing. Stark Industries created the reconnaissance drone used by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as part of Falcon's winged-harness suit. Redwing has served as a key piece of equipment for Sam as he's been out in the field as an active member of the Avengers. Considering Redwing's comic book counterpart, the MCU was smart to side with practicality over nostalgic accuracy.
In Marvel Comics, Redwing is an actual living falcon that shares a telepathic link with Sam. Originally bought in Rio, the telepathic link stemmed from Red Skull's manipulation, but it gave the bird the ability to understand Sam's orders. Through the use of telepathy, Sam can see through Redwing's eyes, giving him an extra level of protection from incoming threats. The falcon accomplice first assisted on the streets of New York City, but the bird remained by his master's side after Sam took over the mantle of Captain America.
Though the MCU's Sam is also on a journey in becoming the new Captain America, his Redwing is a bit different. Since being heavily featured in Captain America: Civil War, the drone showcased its elite scouting and combat abilities. Not only did Redwing has a 360-degree scanning camera, but it was equipped with a machine gun and grappling hooks, as revealed in Civil War. During the Wakanda battle in Avengers: Infinity War, Sam's drone split into three miniature drones, showcasing another ability. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's episode titled "New World Order," the Redwing prototype clearly got an upgrade with new technological advancement. This new drone is pivotal in Sam's mission at the episode's opening sequence, reiterating the fact that a piece of equipment was better than introducing a real bird.
As Sam helps out the U.S. Air Force track down Georges Batroc in Tunisia, he uses the upgraded Redwing to break into a hijacked military plane. With Redwing's new pulsar laser, Sam was able to enter the aircraft. The drone then shows more new powers, such as its compact rockets and increased artificial intelligence. While it would have been thrilling for Sam to have an avian sidekick in the MCU, the presence of a telepathically-linked bird is illogical. Unlike Redwing, which can clearly be upgraded with new tech, a living falcon would have limits in its ability. As Sam became more involved as an Avenger, having a real bird as opposed to a crucial piece of Stark equipment would not have benefited him out in the field.
Making appropriate changes to the Redwing is still viable in the MCU. The drone will likely continue evolving as Sam's arc as Falcon continues in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Despite not being a bird, the existence of Redwing is still a fun nod to the character's comic book arc. Aspects of linking Sam to a real falcon have appeal, but the MCU clearly went with the smart idea of adapting Redwing to serve as an offshoot of the Falcon suit. Maybe the franchise will take the tribute to a new level by giving Sam a living bird someday, but one that would serve as a pet instead of a sidekick.
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