Marvel have only just announced a new title for their Captain America sequel (it’s now known as Captain America: The Winter Soldier ), but the news keeps coming thick and fast, with Anthony Mackie reportedly in talks to join the superhero vehicle.
THR (opens in new tab) is reporting that Mackie has been tapped up to play the role of Falcon, noted for being one of the first black superheroes in mainstream comics. The alter-ego of Harlem local Sam Wilson, Falcon served as Cap’s partner in the comics of the ’70s, deriving his powers from a suit that both enhances his strength and allows him to fly.
The character on the page was also capable of communicating telepathically with birds, although we’d be surprised if that facet of his personality made it onto the big screen. Mackie isn’t confirmed for the role at present, but talks are thought to be progressing well.
As for plot details surrounding the film as a whole, Marvel are playing things fairly close to their chest. At present, Chris Evans is the only cast member nailed on to return, although we’d expect Sebastian Stan to reappear, since his character Bucky Barnes is the one who becomes the brainwashed Russian assassin known as Winter Soldier.
Beyond that, all we know is that the film will jump between events set in WW2 and the modern-day setting in which the last film ended. Directed By Anthony and Joe Russo, Captain America: The Winter Soldier will open in the US on 4 April 2014, with a UK release date to be confirmed.