WARNING: Avengers: Endgame.
Anthony Mackie learned about the ending of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and continued to pop up throughout Phase 3. His inclusion in the universe not only gave Steve Rogers a new friend, but also was quietly laying the foundation for Sam to potentially be chosen as the one to pick up the shield if Steve ever retired.
After all, it was Sam who was most recently chosen to take over the mantle in Marvel Comics, but it was unclear just how likely it was to happen on the big screen. This definitely appeared to be in the cards after Evans' making him the MCU's new Captain America.
The ing of the shield is a major scene in Avengers: Endgame and for the future of the Falcon character, and it turns out that Mackie first found out about this ending in a very special way. During an interview with IMDb, Mackie revealed that it was actually Chris Evans who told him about their big moment.
I didn't even know it was happening. We were at his house and he goes, 'You excited?' And I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' And he goes, 'Wait, you don't know?' And I'm like, 'Know what?' He jumps up, runs out of the room, comes back in with the script. He's like, 'Read it!' And I read the scene and I'm like, 'Woah!' And he goes, 'Yeah!' We cried. We drank. We laughed. It became this thing. I'm very happy I got that moment with Chris, for him to not only me the shield, but to tell me what was happening in the script.
Since Marvel Studios and directors Anthony and Joe Russo were so protective of the scripts for Avengers: Endgame, Mackie not knowing too far ahead of time that this scene was included is not terribly surprising. But, this is a great way for him to find out the information, as the ing of the title was first done just between Mackie and Evans over drinks. Emotions were high during this night but also when the scene was filmed, as Mackie reflects on knowing what it will mean to see a black guy as Captain America.
It means a lot for my sons to see Captain America as a black dude, that means a lot to me, and for me to be that dude to my sons. So that thank you, that moment was not just, 'Hey, we're acting.' It was more of a thing. And then they cut and I cried. And Chris cried. And the Russos cried. And everyone cried. It was an emotional day.
Sam Wilson becoming the MCU's next Captain America will also mean big things for his continued arc, as Mackie is now expected to take on a larger role moving forward. However, this will likely start in the spoiler-free period for the film lifting soon, more details will hopefully be on the way soon.
Source: IMDb
