The Falcon and the Winter Soldier just introduced another Young Avenger

Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
(Image credit: Disney)

Warning: The following contains spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier episode 2. Turn back now if you haven’t seen the latest episode!

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier might have just introduced another Young Avenger to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It's not made clear in the show that the young man who opens the door to Sam and Bucky, played by Elijah Richardson, is Eli – but the credits list Richardson's character as Eli Bradley. If we see Isaiah again, we might also get a proper introduction to his grandson.

In the comics, the first person to hold the Patriot mantle, Jeffrey Mace, was introduced in the '40s, and he became a hero after being inspired by the heroics of Steve Rogers – eventually becoming the third Captain America. Eli was introduced in 2005, and though he did not inherit his grandfather's super soldier abilities, he developed temporary powers after using the street drug Mutant Growth Hormone. A later blood transfusion from Isaiah finally gave him super soldier abilities, and his suit visually resembles both his grandfather's and Bucky's comic costumes.

Eli was eventually given Captain America's original, pointier shield by Kate Bishop, who had become Hawkeye herself. Steve used a similar model during his first mission in Captain America: The First Avenger, so it's possible the Eli of the MCU could wield this particular shield, too.

Molly Edwards
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I'm the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.