Captain America: The Winter Soldier is almost here. The latest adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe pits Steve Rogers against ruthless new enemies and a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. Here’s what you need to know to catch up and be ready for the sequel:
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) was a skinny kid from Brooklyn with a big heart, sense of honor and desire to serve his country in World War II. Given the code name Captain America – Steve would defeat the Red Skull’s Hydra invasion but with a price. Steve crashed the Hydra plane into the ice and would be frozen in time. Steve was revived by S.H.I.EL.D. and would lead Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against an alien invasion in The Avengers.
Dr. Abraham Erskine chose Steve to receive his “super soldier” formula because “a weak man knows the value of strength.” Working with technolgy developed by Howard Stark (Tony’s father) Steve was transformed into America’s first Super Soldier. Dr. Erskine was killed by agents of Hydra and the formula was lost.
James “Bucky” Barnes was Steve’s best friend. Bucky was one of Captain America’s Howling Commandos who died on a mission to take Hydra scientist Arnim Zola.
Winter Soldier – as you’ve already seen in previews – Bucky survived and was transformed into a cyborg assassin. The Winter Soldier is a dark legend in the spy underworld with a long body count. Who did this to Bucky? How can Bucky still look the same unless he was somehow frozen, too? How will Steve fight his long lost best friend and what is Winter Soldier (or his controller’s) end game?
Black Widow – Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) is a top S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. For years she was a Russian assassin until Hawkeye recruited her into S.H.I.E.L.D. Cap and Black Widow must uncover traitors inside the organization they work for and stop the Winter Soldier’s mission.
Red Skull – Johann Schmidt was the leader of Hitler’s covert science division. Erskine’s formula transformed Schmidt into a super powered madman so arrogant he defied Hitler and formed his own cult army – Hydra. The Red Skull was last seen disappearing into one of the Nine Realms.
Arnim Zola – Schmidt’s chief scientist in Hydra captured by Steve and last seen in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.
Tesseract – the Asgardian artifact was seized by the Red Skull to create a high-tech arsenal in World War II but was lost until it was recovered by S.H.I.E.L.D. The cosmic device was activated by Thanos and paved the way for Loki and the Chitauri’s invasion of New York as seen in The Avengers.
Agent Peggy Carter – Steve’s lost love from World War II went on to have a stunning career in the early days of SHIELD.
Nick Fury – the man who runs S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers Initiative. Steve is starting to question Nick’s judgement and ask what’s right and wrong for the sake of security.
Maria Hill – his second in command introduced in The Avengers.
New:
Alexander Pierce – a high ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. director, a brand new character.
Sam Wilson – a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with a high-tech flight suit earning him the code-name Falcon.
Agent 13 – Sharon Carter is a resourceful S.H.I.E.L.D. operative who may be descended from Peggy Carter.
Brock Rumlow – S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who may become the terrorist/super criminal known as Crossbones.
Batroc – ruthless mercenary and martial arts master.
What to watch out for:
A modern day Hydra. The Red Skull’s fanatical group may have survived or been reborn. With the infamous Hydra leader Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker in Avengers: Age of Ultron – Marvel could be setting the stage for a S.H.I.E.L.D./Hydra war that could spill into more movies and shows.
Winter Soldier. Sebastian Stan is reportedly signed for multiple movies. This film could be just the “first of many” to borrow a Hydra catch phrase of films featuring the reborn Bucky.
Enjoy Captain America: The Winter Soldier and get back with your thoughts or questions.
By Editor
From our partner:
A quick link to Captain America Merchandise classic and new starring the Avenger and Winter Soldier – part of a Marvel Superherostuff sale.