Anthony Mackie has had a weird career. He acted in two Best Picture winning films before he turned 31, and at the same time has films like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter on his resume. He has the acting chops for drama and the natural likeability required for blockbusters. And most importantly he has the inside track to a starring role in the MCU. As Falcon he has the best chance of succeeding Chris Evans when he eventually leaves Marvel. Taking over for one of the most popular characters in the canon is no easy task and much of the series success will depend on how that transition works out. Meanwhile however, he is the most charismatic and recognizable piece of the new Avengers team. At the end of Age of Ultron Falcon, War-Machine, Wanda Maximoff and the Vision were teased as a new squad of heroes. But when it comes down to it people don't really care about any of them. War-Machine has been around from the beginning (apologies to Terrence Howard) but still hasn't won over too many fans, and both Wanda and the Vision haven't been around long enough for anyone to really care about them. That means if the new team is to have a big role in Phase Three, Mackie will have to carry them through it, as the only character charismatic enough for audiences to give a crap about. Carrying three other characters through entire story-line is a challenge, but Mackie should be up to the task.
