Anthony Mackie says that the search for the director of Black Panther should have nothing to do with the colour of their skin.
Anthony Mackie
Black Panther is one of the new franchises on the horizon for Marvel but a director is yet to be announced for the project.
Ava DuVernay had already turned down the project, while F. Gary Gray and Ryan Coogler are just two of the other names that have been linked with the director's chair.
However, Mackie says that race and ethnicity should have nothing to do with who directs this film and it should be about the director's ability.
Speaking to The Daily Beast about the matter and how important it is that the film should have a black director, Mackie said: "I don't think it's important at all. As a director your job is to tell a story. You know, they didn't get a horse to direct Seabiscuit!
"The thing is I don't think the race of the director has to do with their ability to tell a story. I think it's all about the director's ability to be able to relate to that story and do it justice. I think men can direct women, and two of my greatest work experiences were with female directors. So I think it all depends. May the best man - or woman - win."
Black Panther is set to hit the big screen in 2018 but we are set to be introduced to the character - played by Chadwick Boseman - next year in Captain America: Civil War.
As for Mackie, he will also be back as Falcon next tear as he reunites with Chris Evans for the third standalone Captain America movie. We did get a very brief look at him in Avengers: Age of Ultron but it will be great to see him back in action. It remains to be seen whether he will make an appearance in Avengers: Infinity War.
Civil War will kick off Phase 3 of Marvel movies in style next year, while Black Panther will be the first of three Marvel films to hit the big screen in 2018 - the other two will be Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and Ant Man and The Wasp.
Black Panther is released 6th July 2018.
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