Why Anthony, why? After causing the social media storm of the century with his endorsement of Donald Trump, Anthony Mackie is at it again. This time, the actor sounds off about diversity in Hollywood. Asked by The Daily Beast about the need for a person of color to direct Marvel's upcoming Black Panther movie, the Captain America star replies, “I don’t think it’s important at all.”
He continues, "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.”
Hmm. Doesn't that sound an awful lot like Matt Damon's whitesplaining of diversity to Effie Brown? While we aren't mad at the idea of the best man or woman winning, it's not exactly a fair game when huge parts of the population aren't even invited to play.
Black Panther is still searching for a director after Ava DuVernay turned down the chance to direct the first film of the franchise, which will star Chadwick Boseman in the leading role. Hopefully Marvel won't just throw their hands up and turn to the next available white male without giving some other Black filmmakers a try.
Meanwhile, if you've been under a rock this week and missed Mackie's comments about Donald Trump, watch them below:

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(Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)