Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
More On:
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Actor Anthony Mackie commented about a fan favorite Marvel ‘ship today, and fans are not reacting well to his quotes.
While talking with Variety, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star addressed the online discussion that he and Sebastian Stan‘s character, Bucky/The Winter Soldier, are more than just friends. Mackie, who plays Sam Wilson, the new Captain America of the MCU, insisted they weren’t a couple, or romantically interested in each other in any way.
“So many things are twisted and convoluted,” Mackie said. “There’s so many things that people latch on to with their own devices to make themselves relevant and rational.”
Mackie referenced his previous roles that faced similar responses, such as an episode of Black Mirror in which he and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II starred as best friends who play an immersive, virtual reality video game. In the game, they simulate being a man and a woman in a sexual relationship; but they aren’t a couple.
“The idea of two guys being friends and loving each other in 2021 is a problem because of the exploitation of homosexuality,” Mackie continued. “It used to be guys can be friends, we can hang out, and it was cool. You would always meet your friends at the bar, you know. You can’t do that anymore, because something as pure and beautiful as homosexuality has been exploited by people who are trying to rationalize themselves.”
The star further rationalized his stance by arguing the case for a “sensitive masculine figure,” and that his Falcon and the Winter Soldier character embodied that sentiment because he was faced with plenty of action, but also had scenes with therapy, tender conversations, and more.
“There’s nothing more masculine than being a superhero and flying around and beating people up,” Mackie said. “But there’s nothing more sensitive than having emotional conversations and a kindred spirit friendship with someone that you care about and love.”
Fans were quick to react to Mackie’s sentiments, tearing into his rejection of the ‘ship. “Anthony Mackie should’ve just said the ship was cute and called it a day,” one Twitter user wrote. “I understand where he’s coming from, he just needed to word it better.”
Finishing up his statements regarding Sam and Bucky, Mackie related their relationship back to his with Chris Evans‘s Steve Rogers/Captain America.
“Sam and Steve had a relationship where they admired, appreciated and loved each other,” Mackie concluded. “Bucky and Sam have a relationship where they learn how to accept, appreciate and love each other. You’d call it a bromance, but it’s literally just two guys who have each other’s backs.”
