Marvel studio’s Avengers: Anthony and Joe Russo respond to future Captain America Anthony Mackie’s anti-Marvel comments.

In an appearance on a podcast, the Marvel studio’s Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo have responded to actor Anthony Mackie recent comments on the lack of diversity behind-the-scenes on Marvel films.

“I think we can always do better at diversity constantly in the business, and in every facet of every industry — so he’s not at all wrong,” Joe said. Further, Anthony added, “We have a ton of respect for Anthony Mackie. He is not an only amazing actor, but he is an amazing person, and we’ve loved our collaboration with him.”

Anthony Mackie plays his role as ‘Sam Wilson’ aka ‘The falcon’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Before going on to make the third (Avengers: Infinity War) and the fourth (Avengers: Endgame) Avengers films, The Russos directed Mackie in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil war. The Russo brothers will see him explore his new role as Captain America in the upcoming Disney+ series The falcon and the Winter Soldier.

“It really bothered me that I’ve done seven marvel movies where every producer, every director, every stunt person, every costume designer, every PA, every single person has been white’” he said, adding, “But when you do Black Panther, you have a black director, black producer, you have a black costume designer, you have a black stunt choreographer. And I’m like, that’s more racist than anything else.

Because if you only can hire black people for the black movie, are you saying they’re not good enough when you have a mostly white cast?” Mackie gave his opinion in a recent episode of Variety’s Actors on actors series claiming that hiring practices of Marvel projects were ‘Racist’ as they took white people for the white film and the black people for the black movie.

“Hire the best person for the job. Even if it means we’re going to get the best two women, we’re going To get the best two men.” Mackie concluded by saying Marvel studios should ultimately do this.

Deborah Chow is in talks to direct future projects, Destin Daniel Cretton is directing Shang-Chi; starring a mostly Asian cast, Cate Shortland directed Black Widow, Chloe Zhao is directing the Eternals; starring a multiracial cast, Ryan Coogler will return to write and direct Black Panther2. Marvel is trying to diversify both in front and behind the camera on its future projects.