Action-star alert: Anthony Mackie in talks for 'Captain America'

By Matt Donnelly

July 16, 2012 12 AM PT

In keeping with the Ministry’s rich tradition of covering beefcake, congratulations may be in order for Anthony Mackie.

The 32-year-old actor is reportedly in talks to play Falcon, a super pal of Chris Evans’ Captain America in Marvel’s sequel “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

While there’s no official word on the deal, Falcon boasts talents such as telepathically communicating with birds and taking flight with the help of a special suit, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Mackie broke out alongside Jeremy Renner in 2008’s “The Hurt Locker,” and turned heads with the 2011 cover of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue.

He’s got “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” in theaters, but Mackie’s next turn will likely generate just as much heat as his potential induction into the Marvel universe: He’ll be flexing guns alongside Mark Wahlberg in “Pain and Gain.”

Directed by Michael Bay, “Pain” follows a pair of bodybuilders wrapped up in an extortion ring. And we really love movies about ... extortion rings. That hits theaters in 2013.

Anthony Mackie reveals how revealing Olivia Wilde can be [Video]

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