Falcon And Winter Soldier Creator Is Open To A Prequel For This Fan-Favorite Character
So far, the Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Disney+ haven't been afraid of tackling some deep topics. "WandaVision" served as an exploration of grief and trauma while "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" offered a critical analysis of the way Black people have been treated in the United States throughout history and how race issues continue to loom large in American politics and society. Viewers got to see the topic explored through the disparate experiences of Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson and the character of Isaiah Bradley, as played by Carl Lumbly.
Isaiah's story hauntingly mirrors the real-life Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments, in which the government conducted unethical treatments against a Black population, adding a level of depth to the superhero story. There are plenty of other stories to tell with Isaiah that would continue to be socially relevant, and according to a Hollywood Reporter interview with head writer Malcolm Spellman, he'd absolutely return to that story if asked.
Malcolm Spellman says he'd be open to a prequel series focused on Isaiah Bradley
"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" reveals Isaiah Bradley underwent similar experiments to Steve Rogers to turn him into a super-soldier, but instead of honoring him once he left the service, the U.S. government locked him away and pretended he never existed. Isaiah plays a critical role in Sam Wilson's journey in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and creator Malcolm Spellman spoke about that influence in his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "Isaiah is the living embodiment of Sam's doubt. Isaiah tells the truth. And at no point do we absolve this country for the sins that it committed against Isaiah and the sins that it will continue to commit against Black and Brown people," he said. "So Sam has to confront that fear." While Isaiah goes into heartbreaking detail about his torturous time as Captain America, we never actually see it play out on screen. When asked if he'd consider making a prequel centered on Isaiah, Spellman doesn't hesitate in answering: "For sure."
Some of the highlights of the series come when Sam speaks to Isaiah, and it's plain to see how these conversations influenced his decision to ultimately take on the mantle of Captain America. In the comics, Isaiah is one of 300 Black men who undergo the super soldier experiments, of whom only a handful survive to be sent off to fight in WWII. It's one of the most gut-wrenching stories put out by Marvel Comics, and taking it on would be a big move from Marvel Studios.
As of right now, there's no word if there's even an interest in pursuing a prequel show. More than likely, we would see Isaiah Bradley return in season 2 of "Captain America and the Winter Soldier," and perhaps then, we would see a flashback sequence of Isaiah's time in the war.