The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Anthony Mackie has discussed getting the call to work as Captain America for Marvel Studios moving forward. The star called the moment he found out "mind-blowing" and now looks at the legacy he's leaving behind as something he can enjoy with his kids.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was a pivotal change for both titular characters, as Bucky Barnes has finally started healing from his traumatic past and Falcon has now adopted the mantle of Captain America. The show was a more small-scale story that took things back to the espionage and government level of Marvel storytelling that the Captain America films were typically known for.
During the CMT Awards red carpet event, Mackie managed to discuss the importance of his time in these projects. He noted that it's "cool" being a part of something his kids can actually watch. "We do all these movies, most of them our kids can't watch. But my kids were actually able to sit down and eat popcorn and watch The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, or Avengers, or all those movies," he continued, per ComicBook. "At this point, everything I do is for my little boys, so that's the fun part."
Seeing as how Captain America is now retired and Falcon was his closest friend outside of Bucky Barnes, it makes a lot of sense why Sam Wilson would adopt the mantle. The shield was given to him for a reason, and it also follows the comic book storylines where Falcon also carries the shield. Having the ability to fly with the high-tech suit makes him a dangerous foe. All he needs is the wrist magnet to call the shield back to him and it's a wrap for a lot of his opponents.
Seeing Mackie find a new sense of purpose with the choice of movies or shows moving forward is very inspiring. Mackie won't exclusively do lighthearted projects, as he's also set to star in the upcoming Twisted Metal adaptation, but being conscious as to what properties he works on is more likely what he meant.
Falcon is going nowhere and fortunately, there are plenty of upcoming Marvel Studios projects that Falcon would fit perfectly well in such as Ironheart, Armor Wars, and even an upcoming Young Avengers project. Mackie does an amazing job as the character and has seriously reshaped the way the role is perceived, so here's hoping Falcon only grows in popularity.
Captain America 4 is in development at Marvel Studios.
Source: ComicBook.com