Anthony Mackie will reprise his role as Falcon in the upcoming Disney+ series Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared how he was first cast as the high-flying superhero.
In an interview with Variety, Feige said, "The first experience was him being the unanimous first choice to play the character. We just offered him the role, in my memory, he did not audition. That’s only happened a handful of times at Marvel. Mr. Mackie was one of those times."
Mackie's first MCU appearance was in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where he played Sam Wilson, a U.S. Air Force veteran who had since retired from service. He becomes friends with Steve Rogers as they both share losses from wars past. He later joins the battle against Hydra as Falcon using mechanical wings and weaponry.
"I thought he would be great as this character," continued Feige. "As we often do, when we’re casting, you cast for the immediate role at hand -- which was Sam Wilson in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but if it all goes well, that can grow and evolve into numerous things. You want an actor who can do it all, which of course, Anthony can."
The new series takes place after the events of Endgame as Sam and Bucky navigate a world without Steve Rogers and face the antagonistic group the Flagsmashers. The Sokovian terrorist Helmut Zemo will be returning, as will Agent Sharon Carter, who's been on the run since Civil War.
Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, Noah Mills, Carl Lumbly and Daniel Brühl. The series premieres March 19 on Disney+.
Source: Variety