The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has hyped Marvel fans up for an epic finale in the coming days that should not only close this story arc about the super-soldier serum and the Flag Smashers, but also open up the doors for the future of the MCU, from creating a proper friendship bond between Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson to the beginning of the popular comic book team, the Thunderbolts.
Despite there only being one episode left and with the big cameo teased for episode 5 coming to fruition with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, there are still many potential characters who could have parts to play, no matter how small in the upcoming finale. Even if it's just for a mid-credits scene, something big could happen.
10 Thunderbolt Ross Could Make An Appearance & Tease Something Big For Marvel's Future
Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross made his first MCU appearance all the way back in 2008 with his role in The Incredible Hulk. Around 8 years later, Ross made a surprise return in Captain America: Civil War as Secretary of State. His reappearance in the MCU must be setting up a bigger future for the character, even if it doesn't mean he turns into his comic book alter ego Red Hulk.
This role could have something to do with the Madame Hydra cameo and the Thunderbolts. After founding the team of villains turned heroes in the comics, Ross oversaw the team as they propelled to fame. Ross in the movies has been spotted on the set of Black Widow and with his control over the Raft, which now has characters like Baron Zemo trapped away, this future storyline seems very likely.
9 Shuri May Have A Cameo Thanks To Bucky's Connection
The Falcon and the Winter Solider surprised everyone when the Dora Milaje turned up in search of Baron Zemo after Bucky, or as they call him, White Wolf, helped him escape from his Munich Prison Cell. The cameo was pretty epic, especially when they destroyed John Walker and trapped his shield to the table in episode 4.
But, this has also made fans think of the possibility of another Wakandan turning up, perhaps Shuri, who Bucky even name-dropped earlier in the series. It's pretty clear that Ayo and Shuri were the two that helped Bucky the most during his time in Wakanda, and it also can be assumed that the favor Bucky asked for in that cool-looking briefcase of Sam's was made by Shuri, so hopefully, she could drop in.
8 The Series Could Follow The Trend Of A Skrulls Credits Scene
The last two Marvel Projects that have been released have both featured a credits scene involving Skrulls. Spider-Man: Far From Home from all the way back in 2019 featured a scene with Nick Fury on his Skrull spaceship orbiting Earth in outer space. And then the previous Disney+ TV show WandaVision also featured a Skrull, this time one recruiting Monica Rambeau, who of course had previously met the alien race as a child in Captain Marvel.
While it might seem a bit out of place for the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, a surprise could reveal that one of the characters in the show, perhaps a member of the Government, or another character they have teamed up with, is actually a Skrull. That could be yet another cool revelation to make fans even more excited for next year's Secret Invasion.
7 Scott Lang Has Teamed Up With Sam & Bucky Before And Could Do Again
Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, became a beloved yet somewhat sidelined character in the MCU thanks to his brilliant portrayal by Paul Rudd. But some extra help might be needed for Sam and Bucky who are heading toward a big battle against the enhanced and pretty chaotic Flag Smashers, as well as Batroc the Leaper, and they could return back to Team Cap.
Ant-Man was a member of Team Cap with Sam and Bucky back in Captain America: Civil War, and he would make sense as an option for some backup given that he probably isn't fighting crime in outer space or in the multiverse like some other characters. In fact, this could be his way of returning the favor of Falcon's cameo in the first Ant-Man movie.
6 The Power Broker's Identity Should Finally Be Revealed
It has been a common question among most Marvel fans, but the identity of the Power Broker, who is seemingly the person behind all of the super-soldier chaos, is yet to be revealed and is hopefully being saved for a massive twist in the finale. A popular theory is that Sharon Carter is the Power Broker, which could make sense given her sudden new-found wealth and her suspicious actions and dialogue in some of the episodes. But seeing how many characters keep referring to the Power Broker as "he," Sharon Carter may only be working for him.
The true identity of the man pulling the strings of the MCU underworld will probably leave quite a few eyebrows raised and, given the enormity of the role, could be played by a big celebrity from the real world. But it is almost certain that their identity will be revealed.
5 The Howling Commandos Would Help Complete Bucky's Redemption
A big part of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the redemption of Bucky Barnes as he attempts to make up for all his wrongdoings as the infamous assassin of the Winter Soldier and move on with his life. In fact, episode one focused heavily on his relationship with Yori Nakajima, who is the father of a young man Bucky killed during his time with Hydra.
Especially after that talk about moving on with Sam Wilson, it looks like the series will end with Bucky coming to terms with himself and helping others by telling the truth. One part of his past that could help with this is his old team from the war, the Howling Commandos. While some of them have passed, members like Dum Dum Dugan may still be alive and would be perfect for Bucky's arc to close.
4 Wolverine Could Be The First Of The X-Men In The MCU
This X-Men cameo could actually make some sense, even if it is unlikely. With the introduction of the pirate bay city of Madripoor and the well-known comic book location of the Princess Bar, fans were bound to start pumping out theories for the introduction of Wolverine.
This long-shot cameo would not only make sense thanks to the introduction of his part-owned bar, but also the big storyline of super-soldiers that has taken center stage in the series. In fact, the Weapons Plus program that gave Wolverine his abilities was an attempted replica of Captain America's serum, and it would seem likely that someone like Ross or the Power Broker could be involved in such a program.
3 Yelena Belova's Introduction May Not Take Place In The Black Widow Movie
Florence Pugh's new MCU character has caught the attention of many fans, as her sister-like relationship with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, could lead her to take over the Avenger's mantle after her death in Avengers: Endgame. In fact, since Black Widow is set way before The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, she may already be Black Widow by this point.
The cameo could link perfectly well with the soon-to-be-released movie and get fans even more excited for the first Marvel movie since 2019. Pugh's character, however, is probably more likely to be first established in Black Widow, which makes one wonder about a Yelena Belova cameo in the finale if the original MCU timeline carried out.
2 Clint Barton's Appearance Could Set Up His Very Own Series
Another Phase One character who is finally getting their chance to shine in the MCU is Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye who secured his very own TV show later this year. Given that Clint, just like Ant-Man, was also a member of Team Cap, and is a fairly Earth-bound hero, a cameo in the show's finale could nicely tease up his own adventure in the near future.
Marvel could even take this a step further by introducing Hawkeye's young apprentice Kate Bishop who is set to be played by Hailee Steinfield. This may be a bit of a reach, but given that Clint is another important part of the MCU's espionage world, their stories could overlap in the finale.
1 Steve Rogers Would Be The Ultimate Cameo
When the one and only Captain America, Steve Rogers returned the infinity stones back to the past and returned as an old man on a bench, many fans were pleasantly shocked and satisfied by the ending of his story arc. But of course, fans can't help themselves but ask for yet another cameo to see what Old Man Cap is up to now.
The tease of what Steve is up to in episode one only added fuel to the fire when Torres talked about the conspiracy theory that he is living in space. Seeing Cap once again giving Sam a few words of wisdom before officially taking on the mantle of Captain America is running on the fine line between emotional and cheap, but Marvel could still pull it off.
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