As you are probably well aware, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” wrapped up its six-episode run last Friday on Disney+. And with it, the world was finally introduced to the new Captain America, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). So, this seems like a great time to speak with director Kari Skogland, the filmmaker responsible for all six episodes. And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, you better believe we got into spoilerific details about what happened.
WATCH: ‘The Falcon & The Winter Soldier’: A New Captain America Takes Flight [The Playlist Podcast]
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is the latest series from Marvel Studios and Disney+ and tells the story of the title characters as they deal with the events that happened at the end of “Avengers: Endgame.” And since you’re listening, I’m going to assume you’ve seen the show, and tell you that the show ends with Anthony Mackie, aka Falcon, fully embracing his new role as Captain America and changing up the status quo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the interview, Skogland talks about that new role for Mackie, the importance of Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier in Sam’s story, the political themes that are present, and of course, the recent news about “Captain America 4.”
The impact of Mackie taking over as Captain America was apparently felt from the first second he walked on set in the new costume.
READ MORE: Anthony Mackie Found Out About ‘Captain America 4’ From A Guy At The Grocery Store
“When he walked on set the first time, the whole place went silent,” Skogland said. “Just to see this iconic costume symbolizing this show we’re making and where we’re taking the world, not just the MCU but the fanbase at large, a Black man carrying the shield. And watching Anthony come on set, with his wonderful charm and humor, was a pinch-me moment for sure.”
About the costume, she added, “It was always in this wheelhouse because [the comic version] looked great. So, there was no need to change or fix what wasn’t broken. But the design team spent months with us working on it.”
And with the new Captain America being someone without superpowers, Skogland explained how there has to be a bit of a different method to the character and how he battles the villains.
“A big part of this new [Captain America] is someone who didn’t have [the supersoldier serum] baked into his physique,” she said. “He was going to have to mediate. He was going to have to negotiate and take on the villain by trying to harness the energy as compared to combat the energy.”
This all leads to the inevitable question about the recently announced “Captain America 4.” No, Skogland won’t say if she’s attached to direct the film, but she did mention the one rule about working with Marvel.
“All I can say is, if Marvel picks up the phone and calls me, I am answering that call,” she said. “You don’t just say, ‘I’m busy, I’ll get back to you.’”
And a big reason you answer that call is Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, who Skogland has nothing but praise for.
“[Feige] operates from a wonderful place, which is total inclusion and total respect,” the filmmaker said. “As a creative workspace, he has created a very safe environment for everybody to collaborate.”
READ MORE: Kevin Feige Says Chloe Zhao Brings Her “Signature Style” To Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals’
Another aspect of the good that Marvel is doing is seen in the diversity in front of and behind the camera. “Marvel is at the forefront of making sure diversity is very much in the sentence. We’re seeing it now roll out, but they were very proactive, very early on,” she added.
As for one thing in the future of the MCU that she’s willing to comment on, Skogland did tease that Julia Louis Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is likely going to show up in the upcoming “Black Widow.”
She said, “Cate [Shortland, director of ‘Black Widow’] and I talked back and forth about Valentina, here and there.”
You can watch our full interview below (or listen on Spotify):
As always, The Playlist Podcast is part of The Playlist Podcast Network—which includes Be Reel, Deep Focus, The Fourth Wall, and more—and can be heard on iTunes, AnchorFM, Soundcloud, Stitcher, and now on Spotify. You can stream the podcast via the AnchorFM embed below or up top to listen on this page. Follow us on iTunes, and you’ll get this podcast as well as our other shows regularly. Be sure to subscribe, and drop us a comment or a rating, as we appreciate it. Thank you for listening.