Warning: the story below contains spoilers for the first two episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Wyatt Russell, who plays the new Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, knows viewers aren’t taking well to his character – and he says it’s all part of the plan.
The actor told The Wrap that it was always the goal to have fans react negatively to his character after his first appearances on the show.
Russell’s John Walker is revealed as the new Captain America at the end of the first episode of the Marvel series. His character is explored further in the second and most recent episode, “The Star-Spangled Man”, which aired on 26 March.
Captain America/Steve Rogers was previously portrayed by Chris Evans in Marvel films. Rogers is acknowledged in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with Russell discussing his past accomplishments and admitting he has “big shoes to fill”.
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After the episode aired, viewers expressed their negative views of the character, making it clear they were struggling to like him.
“That ‘new’ Captain America has the personality of a frat boy. I hate it,” one person wrote.
“Captain America is not my favorite at all but the new Captain America from Falcon and Winter Soldier is the worst and I dislike him even more. End rant,” someone else tweeted.
“Maybe we don't really hate the new Captain America, maybe we're just too in love with Chris Evans,” another Twitter user suggested.
Russell seems to have taken the negative reactions in stride, telling The Wrap his character is having exactly the intended effect.
“That’s the goal,” he told the outlet. “I think people had a fun reaction.”
On the show, Bucky/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) also struggle with the new Captain America – which, according to Russell, only adds to his character’s insecurities.
“He doesn’t feel good,” the actor added. “It doesn’t feel good anytime ever you don’t get accepted by somebody. You feel s***** about yourself. Right?”
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier streams now on Disney+.
