The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Episode Runtimes Range Revealed

After a magic-infused sitcom from the world of WandaVision, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to move on with a brand new action-packed series in the form of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Created by Malcolm Spellman, the upcoming Disney+ show will follow the post-Infinity Saga adventures of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, with the pair trying to adjust in a world without Captain America. 

Given that the debut of the series is inching closer, marketing has ramped up in recent weeks, thus paving the way for numerous promo spots and character posters to surface online. On top of that, interviews with the cast and crew of the show have also surfaced, dialing more hype for its much-anticipated arrival on the streaming service. 

One of the lingering questions from viewers is the exact runtime of each episode of the series, especially considering that this bit became a topic of debate in the previous MCU entry. Now, a new report has shed some light on the matter. 

THE RUNTIME FOR THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER EXPLAINED

Winter Soldier actor Sebastian Stan recently spoke with The New York Times to promote The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and one of the topics that was discussed was the runtime of the Marvel series. 

The MCU veteran shared that Marvel Studios unveiled a detailed plan for a six-hour storyline that would provide “enough time to build scenes and go into their personal lives — a day in the life of Bucky Barnes, a day in the life of Sam Wilson — as you haven’t seen it before.”

Stan then explained that the show is set to “explore where these two guys left off:"

“We’re going to explore where these two guys left off, with one big character missing — the prominent figure that brought them into each other’s lives. Where are they, and how are they coping with the world?”

The report from the outlet revealed that the upcoming MCU Disney+ series will consist of six 45-to-55-minute episodes that will be released on a weekly basis. According to the Times, this format was done to "offer timely explorations into the nature of patriotism and extremism and the values of inclusivity, diversity, and representation, set in a world striving for stability after a global catastrophe." 

AN EXPLORATION OF SAM AND BUCKY'S LIVES AFTER THE INFINITY SAGA

Based on the report, it looks like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will have a longer runtime than its Phase 4 predecessor, WandaVision. In a way, this makes sense since the Elizabeth Olsen-project initially started off with its sitcom-based approach, thus affecting the entire runtime of the series. 

By featuring a 45-to-55-minute episode every week, it would be a fitting way to explore the lives of both Sam and Bucky in a meaningful way, and it also has the potential to live up to the promise that it will be an (almost) six-hour Marvel showcase.  

The long-form storytelling formula of the Disney+ slate of the MCU proved to beneficial in terms of doing a deep dive for several characters. Many would agree that WandaVision is a testament to that, and it's reasonable to assume that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will also follow the lead. 

Unlike a much more contained setting in movies, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will look to provide a way to show a different side of these beloved characters, and Stan's comment should serve as a prime teaser of how it will all go down. 

Overall, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will present exciting storylines, and the lengthy runtime for every episode will help the show achieve that feat.