After eight years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Anthony Mackie feels he's given some say in his character. He portrayed the Falcon from his introduction in Captain America: The Winter Soldier until Chris Evans relinquished his role in Avengers: Endgame. Following his departure, Mackie took over the part of Captain America, earning the title during his time on the Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Now, Mackie is gearing up for his first feature film appearance as the titular character in Captain America: New World Order. The fourth installment in the franchise is set to release in 2024, with pre-production well underway as Marvel plans to film in 2023. The film, helmed by Julius Onah, is facing a lot of pressure to continue the trilogy that came before it. However, Anthony Mackie tells Variety that there's a lot of collaboration between him and the writer, Malcolm Spellman. The two worked together on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and they want to revive their chemistry for the upcoming film.

Related: Captain America: New World Order Director Says He Initially Met With Marvel 10 Years Ago

"They're definitely very inclusive," Mackie explains. "When we did The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, [writer] Malcolm Spellman and I talked at length about what that character was turning into, what we wanted him to be, what we wanted that narrative to be." Mackie continues, saying their work on the series mirrors what they want to do with Captain America. "Now with Malcolm writing this Captain America, it's the exact same thing. We've talked and communicated about what we want that story to be going forward and how it'll fit in this new Marvel universe. You definitely get the idea of collaboration, but you don't get to tell them what it's going to be."

Of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe requires careful planning and outlining stories that will connect through Phase 6, which is still years away. Kevin Feige may do most of the heavy lifting in that area, but it makes sense why certain restrictions are put on the creative vision of both directors and actors.

Anthony Mackie Doesn't Know if He Will be in Thunderbolts

Thunderbolts
Marvel Studios

Another 2024 Marvel movie, Thunderbolts, is preparing to begin production soon. The film stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who will all reprise their previously introduced roles. In the past, Stan's Bucky Barnes character has been nearly inseparable from Mackie's Falcon, even if they didn't always get along.

Related: Captain America: New World Order: Why MCU Fans Should Get Hyped

During his Variety interview, Mackie was asked whether he would appear in the upcoming Thunderbolts, and the 44-year-old actor admits he doesn't know. "I have no idea," he says. "You know how it works. They call you the week before and are like, 'We own your ass. Come get in the movie.'" Ironically, Sebastian Stan has proclaimed he is 'finally free' of Mackie with his upcoming film, despite the possibility of an appearance from his character.

For now, we will have to wait and see about their characters reuniting. Captain America: New World Order lands in theaters on May 3, 2024, with Thunderbolts quickly following it on July 26, 2024.