Anthony Mackie recalls finding out he would become Captain America

Anthony Mackie looks back on the moment he learned Sam Wilson would become Captain America.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a new Captain America, and his name is Sam Wilson. The reveal of Steve Rogers passing on his shield in Avengers: Endgame came as a surprise to many. But how did Anthony Mackie respond to the news that he would be the next to take on the mantle of the Star-Spangled Avenger?

Yahoo! caught up with Mackie and Sebastian Stan where the former revealed that he learned of Wilson’s destiny a few days before shooting the scene. He also learned of the news in an interesting place:

"“[It was] like a day or two before we shot it. We were watching a football game over at [Chris Evans’] place and he pulled out the script and showed it to me. It was crazy, I was blown away. I was blown away.”"

Stan didn’t find out until the day of filming and, although it was initially a surprise to him, he understood the decision:

"“I remember I found out [about Falcon getting the shield] the day we were shooting. I was like ‘Oh wow, this is the deal.’ But it makes sense. He’s [Sam Wilson] has been his [Captain America’s] right-hand for a long time at this point.”"

More from Marvel Cinematic Universe

• Loki season 2 finale does set the stage for Kang Dynasty
• Marvel: (Spoiler) exits Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
• Will Loki air a new bonus episode tonight? (November 16, 2023)
• What If…? season 2 gets premiere date (and there’s a major twist)
• Marvel rumors hint Pedro Pascal has been cast in key Fantastic Four role

Aside from Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson seemed to be the logical choice for Captain America. In the comics, Wilson ultimately took over for Rogers. And just like in the film, Rogers selected him as his replacement after he was aged into an old man.

It also makes sense in regard to Wilson’s arc in the MCU. Steve Rogers recruited a willing Sam Wilson to join the fight against Hydra in Captain America: The Winter Solider. Thus he’s the reason Wilson was drawn into the world of superheroes. And as Stan mentioned, Wilson gradually became one of Rogers’ most trusted allies, as their friendship developed. All of these factors make Steve’s decision to choose Sam a true, full-circle moment.

Mackie’s formal debut as the new Captain America will likely happen in Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier limited series, which premieres on Disney Plus next fall. It’s hard to say what his version of the hero will look like, but Mackie is teasing a take on the character that audiences have never seen before.