In Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson will take on the title of Captain America, and actor Anthony Mackie believes it’s a “monumental” decision. At the end of Avengers: Endgame, the original Cap, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), decided it was time to retire after going back in time and living out a full life alongside Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). In one of the film’s most poignant moments, Steve hands over the iconic shield to his trusted friend Sam, thus setting up The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in a big way.

Fans are excited to see Sam wielding the shield, but all reports indicate he’ll have a tough time earning it. Among the show’s supporting cast is Wyatt Russell as John Walker, AKA U.S. Agent. When the government takes issue with Sam becoming Captain America, they put Walker up for the job instead. In the comics, Walker isn’t exactly a great guy, though it’s unclear how much of his comic storyline will translate to the show. In the meantime, Sam will have to prove his worth in order to get the shield back.

Despite Walker’s presence on the show, fans have still happily embraced Sam as their new Cap, and Mackie is definitely feeling grateful. During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote his new film The Banker, Mackie shared what it means to him that Marvel chose a black man to be the next Captain America. As Mackie said:

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier presents an opportunity to dig further into Sam’s character as he grapples with both this new responsibility and the fact that those in power are trying to take it away from him. Luckily, he won’t be alone, as Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) will be teaming up with him. They’re still not friends though, Mackie has previously said. Mackie and Stan will also be joined by fellow MCU alums Emily VanCamp and Daniel Brühl.

It is monumental man. I mean… to have Marvel select a young black man in America to represent the moniker of Captain America is is unprecedented. There’s nothing that can compare to that. There’s - it… it moves me not only that my kids get to see a black man as Captain America, but all of their friends white, black, Latino, and Asia can see a black man as Captain America.

Now that the Infinity Saga has come to a close, Marvel has taken steps to ensure the future of the MCU won’t be as white. In addition to Sam filling in as Captain America, November’s Eternals will feature multiple actors of color, and next year’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be Marvel’s first Asian-led film. Plus, if certain rumors are to be true, Sam might not even be the only black Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Some might say Marvel should have started doing this ages ago, and they wouldn’t be wrong, but it’s gratifying to see that it’s happening now. Fans will get to see Sam pick up the shield when The Falcon and the Winter Soldier arrives later this year.

More: Every Captain America Rumored For Falcon & The Winter Soldier

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier arrives on Disney+ this August.

Source: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

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