The conclusion of the Infinity Saga has been quite beneficial for a number of Marvel Cinematic Universe stars, including Anthony Mackie who is currently enjoying his upgraded role as the new Captain America.
After playing second fiddle for years, Sam Wilson was finally given the opportunity to step up and continue Steve Rogers' legacy and so far, things have been pretty good for the Star-Spangled Avenger.
However, it turns out that when Mackie got the offer to star in the billion-dollar franchise, he wasn't exactly expecting to play Cap's sidekick. In fact, long before Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the actor has been banging on the doors of Marvel Studios in hopes of playing a different superhero.
Anthony Mackie Reveals He Originally Wanted to Play Black Panther in the MCU
In an interview with Inverse, the Captain America: Brave New World star looked back on his MCU journey and how it all started. According to him, he always wanted to play Black Panther in the franchise because he looked up to the character growing up.
Much to his astonishment though, the Russo Brothers offered him the role of Falcon but thankfully, he didn't turn it down. He shared: "I had been contacting Marvel a lot about Black Panther. I had written them letters. I was trying to find a way to make them make Black Panther. And I wanted to be Black Panther because growing up I fucking loved Black Panther."
He added: "I’ll never forget, Joe Russo said, ‘Listen, so we’re doing this movie. We want you to be in it. We can’t say what character you’re playing or who else is going to be in it. Would you do it?’ And that was it. I was like, ‘You know what, I like y’all dudes. I’ll do it. I’ll go on this ride with you.’"
Mackie recalled that when he finally got the offer, he was in absolute shock. "What other major comic book figure has enough of a presence to have his own movie? So when they hit me up and they were like, ‘Yo, so it’s Sam Wilson,’ I’m like, ‘Really?’"
Also Read: Anthony Mackie Receives New Captain America Costume and It's a Downgrade
Despite losing the bet to play his favorite hero, I think we can safely say that everything turned out well for Mackie because he's now one of the MCU's headlining characters.
Captain America: Brave New World is hitting cinemas on August 26, 2024.
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