Marvel Avengers characters make heroic leap to the small screen
As new Marvel series The Falcon And The Winter Soldier airs, Danielle de Wolfe learns more from stars Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan
As if the joys of Marvel Studios’ WandaVision on Disney+ haven’t been enough, now we have a new series in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
Set following the events of the epic Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers has departed his role as Captain America, leaving his shield to Falcon/ Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
Now, alongside Rogers’ oldest friend Bucky Barne (Sebastian Stan), Sam faces dangerous new threats from new powered government warriors, terrorist groups, and the return of Captain America: Civil War villain Helmut Zemo (Daniel Bruhl).
Best known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and Captain America: Civil War, 42-year-old Anthony felt right at home given the common home-town thread between himself and his character Sam, better known as Falcon.
“When I first read the script, I was really happy and acknowledged the fact that I was from Louisiana... New Orleans is the best city in the world,” says Anthony.
He says that his character’s evolution from comic book to screen is something worth tuning in for.
“When Sam Wilson first started out, he was a hustler from Harlem,” reflects Anthony.
“And then, as African Americans’ culture evolved, Stan Lee evolved him in the comic book into different incarnations of himself.
“So, I’m excited for everyone to see the new and improved Sam Wilson.”
As with any Marvel franchise, action comes as standard.
And despite The Falcon And The Winter Soldier taking the form of a series, as opposed to a single blockbuster, the studio is keen to emphasise that no corners have been cut when it comes to the production’s high-end action sequences.
“The great thing about what we were able to do was nothing was jeopardised or watered down,” says Anthony.
“The stunt guys we worked with on the films are the same guys who choreographed and did all of our stunts on the show.”
Anthony goes on to note that the series takes “the idea of weaponry away, so it’s more hand-to-hand combat.
“It’s more physical. It’s more assertive. It’s more of us utilising our strengths, instead of something else.
“Because of that, the stunt guys had a field day.”
Despite Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes having a common connection in terms
of their friendship with Captain America and their link to the US armed forces, the duo’s dynamic is anything but plain sailing, as sparks fly and conflict ensues.
“The whole subject of PTSD and the experience that they both share as soldiers, as men who have served, is one of the things that brings them together,” notes co-star Sebastian, 38, best known for his roles in The Martian and Captain America.
“There’s sort of an honour code between them.
“Even though they come [with] different ideas or opinions about things, there’s a mutual respect.”
However, it’s every inch a case of opposites attract, something that extends to the actors themselves, as Anthony goes on to explain.
“I think the great thing about it, or what I enjoy so much, is you can’t find two people further opposite each other than Sebastian and I,” explains Anthony.
“But there’s a mutual respect, understanding, appreciation of that person.
“We listen, learn and teach each other a great deal.”
It’s more physical... the stunt guys had a field day...
Anthony Mackie on the action-packed storylines
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