Falcon and the Winter Soldier Had to Scrap an Original Story Idea as it Was Too Similar to the Pandemic, Could’ve Gotten Them Canceled Explains Kevin Feige
Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier made key story changes to avoid similarities with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis, the show’s creators revealed. The timely rewrite likely saved the show from controversy and cancelation.
When developing The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2019, the creative team had no inkling of the global crisis to come. So they conceived a bioterrorist plot eerily akin to the impending pandemic.
Falcon and Winter Soldier’s Pandemic Near-Miss Explained Kevin Feige
Showrunner Malcolm Spellman explained, “The show we were writing felt a little too close to reality.” The last thing they wanted was appearing to make light of tragedy.
The storyline involved a new Captain America shielding the public from a deadly virus unleashed on America. Given the real-world parallels that later emerged, it quickly became clear the idea had to be scrapped.
Reworking the Premise to Avoid Insensitivity
With COVID-19 devastating communities in 2020, Spellman said they reworked the show to remove the virus element, not wanting to seem “flippant or cavalier.”
While it required major rewrites, he said the switch ultimately improved the story. They centered it instead on global displaced populations, forming the Flag-Smashers movement.
“It turned out to be a win for us,” Spellman remarked, leading to themes of refugee struggles and Captain America‘s role. Dodging controversy by reading the room allowed more meaningful stories to emerge.
Maintaining Marvel’s Escapism – Kevin Feige
More than optics, removing the pandemic plot preserved the MCU’s role as escapism during an incredibly bleak time.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige commented, “Our job is to provide an escape and entertainment.” He suggested that sticking with a virus premise “might hit a little too close to home.” via Forbes.
While never confirmed, the rewrite let The Falcon and the Winter Soldier offer joy versus mirroring tragedy back to audiences.
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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier deftly dodged employing a tone-deaf bioterrorism plot by reworking its narrative amidst the unfolding pandemic. Scrapping the eerie similarities was a wise move to avoid backlash, while allowing more uplifting stories to take shape. The rewrite kept the MCU true to its mission of providing escapism entertainment during a real-world crisis.
Source: Twitter
