TV

Marvel star Anthony Mackie roasted after saying fans who ‘ship’ Sam and Bucky are ‘exploiting homosexuality’

Falcon and Winter Soldier Anthony Mackie Sam Bucky

The Falcon and Winter Soldier’s Anthony Mackie says Sam and Bucky have a “bromance” after he believes fans ‘latched on’ the idea the two heroes may have deeper feelings for each other. (Marvel/Disney Plus)

The Falcon and Winter Soldier star Anthony Mackie believes fans who ship Sam and Bucky are guilty of “exploiting homosexuality” in a bizarre interview.

Fans watched Sam (Mackie) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) grow closer throughout the Disney Plus series, fostering a lot of speculation that there might be feelings between the two. The show even hints the two are extremely close after they’re forced into a ‘couples therapy’ exercise by Bucky’s therapist. The “soul-gazing” technique, she insists, is designed to help lovers “figure out what kind of life they’re trying to build together”.

But in an interview with Variety‘s Awards Circuit podcast, Mackie said the two heroes have a “bromance” and a “relationship where they learn how to accept, appreciate and love each other”. But he said fans had “latched on” to the idea that Bucky and Sam might have romantic feelings for each other.

“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.”

The Falcon and Winter Soldier star continued: “The idea of two guys being friends and loving each other in 2021 is a problem because of the exploitation of homosexuality.

“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 rationalise themselves.”

Mackie then explained it was important to him to show a “sensitive masculine figure” which he argued is difficult in the “masculine” superhero world. But he said there was “nothing more sensitive” than “having emotional conversations” and a “kindred spirit friendship” with someone “you care about and love”.

However, many people expressed that they didn’t think his explanation was necessary and that fans should be able to develop their own headcanons – especially as Marvel has a woeful lack of LGBT+ representation.

Other fans took the time to poke fun at Anthony Mackie’s statements in the interview, especially that the main characters’ supposed “bromance”.

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