Anthony Mackie Calls Being Marvel's The Falcon 'His Oscar'

While some actors would want to move past some of their roles, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Anthony Mackie is more than grateful to be playing the role of Sam Wilson and even considers it his "Oscar."

Mackie sat down with Vanity Fair to talk about the roles he has had in his career so far. Starting with 8 Mile and proceeding to share some details about his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor said:

"So, when I found out about The Falcon, when I got the opportunity to meet with Joe and Anthony Russo and Nate Moore at some random hotel in L.A. by the pool, eating cobb salad…When I started in this business, I told my agent at the time, ‘I wanted to do a Western.' Because I grew up loving Clint Eastwood and all of his Westerns and Gunsmoke and Silverado."

The actor has always wanted to be a superhero as well. He joked about how he was "very upset" when Morgan Freeman took his role and Unforgiven. However, he claims that he's "gonna get" his Western with Clint Eastwood. "It has been monumental. The Falcon has been my Oscar," he added. "I feel like there are few rewards that could justify a career, a body of work, the way Marvel has entrusted with me, this character."

"Not just for the African-American community, but just the veteran community in general," Mackie continued. He says what his character represents to Marvel and to America is "very important" and he's "very honored" to be able to play that role.

Mackie will star in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, to be released in August.

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