Captain America: Mackie In No Rush To Replace Evans’ Marvel Hero

Marvel is replacing Steve Rogers as Captain America in the comics with Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon. Is that something that Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s Falcon, Anthony Mackie, would be interested in tackling? During an interview at Fandom Fest in Louisville, Kentucky this weekend, the actor said he’s ready for the duty if called upon but is in no rush.

“I don’t know. I mean I’m excited about it,” Mackie told ComicBook.com. “I think if it goes that way in the movies that it would take a long time, because there’s so many evolutions before that. You know, I’m excited to see Sebastian play Cap. I think Sebastian’s a great actor. But I love seeing Chris Evans as Cap, so I feel like they can go any way they want. I’m enjoying my part beside Cap. I’m in no rush to be Cap.”

When asked if he would step into the role or Cap if called by Marvel Studios, Mackie reportedly nodded his head and replied, “First up for duty! First up for duty!”

Mackie’s reference to “Sebastian” is to fellow Captain America actor Sebastian Stan, who played Bucky Barnes (aka the Winter Soldier) in this summer’s other Marvel blockbuster. In the comics, Barnes eventually becomes rehabilitated and takes on the role of Captain America more than once in Roger’s absence, which was possibly foreshadowed in the movie.

However, the latest turn of events in Steve Rogers’ saga puts Captain America’s shield in Sam Wilson’s hands. Marvel announced the character changeover in July along with other updates including Thor becoming unworthy of his hammer and being replaced by a female. There are also other changes afoot including the death of Wolverine.

As for the impact to the movies, current Captain America Chris Evans talked with Collider last year about his contract with Marvel.

“I will absolutely clarify. I have a six-movie contract with Marvel and I absolutely plan on fulfilling them. This is without a doubt the biggest blessing in my life. Marvel has literally changed the game for me, and they make great movies. I did direct last year and it was a really fantastic experience, I really enjoyed it. So I’m certainly looking to do that a bit more, so when it comes to exploring other acting jobs I may not be as proactive in trying to find those, I may kind of stick with my Marvel universe in terms of getting in front of the camera, and then getting behind the camera outside of it.”

Evans is already halfway there with the first two Captain America movies plus The Avengers. Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers 3, and Captain America 3 would round out his contract and leave the movie version of Steve Rogers open to being replaced by either Sam Wilson (Mackie) or Bucky Barnes (Stan).

What do you think of the character changes to Marvel comics? Should they leak over to the Marvel movie universe as well? Let us know what you think in the comments.

[Images via Marvel]

[Correction: Fixed typo mentioning “current Captain America Steve Rogers” when it should be “Chris Evans.” Thanks Karadin Art!]