He's hunted vampires and diffused bombs for his country, and now Anthony Mackie is ready for the ultimate act of cinematic patriotism. The Gangster Squad actor is officially on board for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the sequel to last year's smash hit. In the film, Mackie will play Sam "Falcon" Wilson, an ally to Chris Evans' Captain America.

No one is more excited about the news than Evans himself, who gushed about Mackie to MTV News : "He's so great," Evans said of his co-star. "I've known Mackie for a few years now. I'm really happy we got him. We got lucky."

Also lucky? The millions of women who will soon get to see Mackie in a skin-tight latex suit.

Falcon, introduced by Marvel Comics in 1969, was the first African-American hero in mainstream comics. He was also — trivia! — the first Black superhero to not actually have "black" as part of his name. The Falcon's super power? He has a strong mental link to birds and the ability to fly like one.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier hasn't started shooting yet, but it won't be long before we get a glimpse of Mackie in all his winged glory.