For the longest time, Anthony Mackie wanted to play Marvel's Black Panther, but instead he was cast as the Falcon.
Mackie has undoubtedly grown to love his role as Captain America's most trusted friend, and respects Marvel's decision to cast Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther in a five-picture deal.
However, when he spoke with The Daily Beast about the new movie, the actor did disagree with Marvel in one aspect - and that is their intent on hiring a black director for "Black Panther."
"I don't think it's important at all," he said. "As a director your job is to tell a story. You know, they didn't get a horse to direct 'Seabiscuit'! The thing is I don't think the race of the director has to do with their ability to tell a story. I think it's all about the director's ability to be able to relate to that story and do it justice. I think men can direct women, and two of my greatest work experiences were with female directors. So I think it all depends. May the best man - or woman - win."
Mackie will reprise his role as Sam Wilson (Falcon) in next year's blockbuster film "Captain America: Civil War," where he will help Steve Rogers find Bucky Barnes and save him. When asked what fans can expect from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actor said that everything would simply come as a surprise - not just to the fans, but the actors as well.
"All we know is everyone who was in the first 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is in 'Guardians 2.' Spider-Man is in 'Spider-Man.' You don't know who else is in it," he laughingly said. "They know. But like, when I was in 'Ant-Man,' I didn't know I was in 'Ant-Man' - I just got a call from Kevin (Feige) saying, 'Hey, what are you doing next weekend?' When we did 'Avengers,' I didn't know I was in 'Avengers.' I just got a call: 'Hey! What are you doing in two weeks?'"
"I am now an Avenger," he proudly confirmed. "But no one tells me anything. You never know when they're going to call you, you just want to be ready when they do."
Aside from "Captain America: Civil War," Mackie can be seen next in the political satire "Our Brand Is Crisis," which is produced by George Clooney and also stars Sandra Bullock.
