Anthony Mackie is thrilled but also nervous about his first standalone movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Photos: Marvel Studios
In 2014, Anthony Mackie made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut as the high-flying superhero Sam Wilson, better known as Falcon, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Since then, his character has evolved from wingman to a central figure in blockbuster hits like Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Mackie’s transformation from Falcon to Captain America was explored in the 2021 miniseries The Falcon And The Winter Soldier.
Now, the American actor is taking his solo flight with his first standalone MCU movie Captain America: Brave New World.
“I was nervous at first because I didn’t know what it was going to be like. There’s always pressure because you don’t want to get it wrong,” the 46-year-old told StarLifestyle about becoming Captain America.
Mackie has emphasised that his version of Captain America isn't a carbon copy of Steve Rogers.
Mackie radiates warmth and charm at our chat in Singapore late last year, punctuating his thoughts with lighthearted jokes.
The actor was in the island republic as a special guest at the 2024 Disney APAC Content Showcase, an event to spotlight a selection of theatrical and TV titles for the House of Mouse.
“Marvel has been working right for over 20 years, and you don’t want to be the guy who (expletive) it up.
“If you’re doing all these movies and it’s hit after hit, but then you get on one and it bombs, that would be awful,” he added, flashing his signature grin.
Despite the pressure, Mackie is honoured to open a new chapter in the Captain America legacy.
He will lead the mighty Avengers in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film next year.
Passing the torch
Interestingly, Mackie wasn’t told about his future as Captain America by Marvel Studios execs.
He got the scoop from fellow actor Chris Evans, who had played the superhero since Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).
While filming Civil War, Evans asked Mackie if he had read the new script, to which the latter replied in the negative.
“So he ran down to the basement and gave me the last two pages of Endgame. When I read it, we just hugged each other and jumped around in circles,” Mackie recalled.
In the conclusion of Endgame, Steve Rogers passes his shield to Wilson, entrusting him with the mantle of Captain America.
Mackie took on the mantle of Captain America in the conclusion of 2019's 'Avengers: Endgame'.
Reflecting on his decade-long journey in the MCU, Mackie believes no other character in the franchise has undergone a transformation as huge as Wilson’s.
He emphasised that his version of Captain America isn’t a carbon copy of Rogers.
“The fact that he’s never taken a serum (to enhance the body and mind like Rogers) will pay off in the future of the franchise because he can give the perspective of the regular guy instead of the super guy.
“I think that’s something with the character people can gravitate to and find themselves in,” he said.
Legacy in motion
Born in New Orleans, the United States, Mackie graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School in 2001 before making his acting debut in the 2002 film 8 Mile.
Over the years, he’s played it all – heroes, villains and everything in between.
Mackie suited up as a sergeant in the 2008 film The Hurt Locker, and he portrayed civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr in All The Way (2016).
His range expands to films such as Half Nelson (2006), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) and The Banker (2020), among others.
Mackie made his acting debut in 2002, a year after graduating from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York. Photo: HandoutLast year, Mackie went full daredevil mode – dangling from a ski lift and dropping 6m in the air for the post-apocalyptic thriller Elevation.
That same dedication carried over to Brave New World.
For this role, Mackie trained for five-and-a-half months, pushing his limits with rigorous workouts and relying on ibuprofen to ease the pain.
“I didn’t want to be one of those guys with the little arms and little legs. I wanted to look like a guy who could take a punch, so I put on a lot of muscle.
“If you’re fighting somebody like the Red Hulk, you can’t be a little guy,” he told StarLifestyle.
To bulk up, the Hollywood star adhered to a strict diet of lean meats and assorted vegetables.
“When you know your body, you know what fuels it or shuts it down. I ate a lot of chicken and steak and lifted a lot of weights – lots of pushing and pulling.”
Helmed by Nigerian-American filmmaker Julius Onah, Brave New World is the fourth instalment in the Captain America series.
Production began in March 2023 and wrapped that June, sometime after the start of the Writers Guild of America strike.
Brave New World throws Wilson into the centre of a global crisis after a meeting with newly elected US President Thaddeus Ross.
As chaos looms, Wilson must embark on a high-stakes journey to untangle a sinister conspiracy before disaster strikes.
Joining Mackie in this action-packed showdown is Hollywood icon Harrison Ford, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Ramirez, Liv Tyler and Shira Haas.
Clapping back at naysayers
Despite the cast and crew standing behind Brave New World, the film has been dogged by rumours of excessive reshoots.
Last December, reports of major changes to the project sparked concerns that Brave New World might not be up to par.
Some even claimed the budget had skyrocketed to US$350mil (RM1.6bil) due to the changes – a rumour later debunked, with the actual cost landing closer to US$180mil (RM803mil).
(from left) Director Julius Onah, Xosha Roquemore and Mackie behind the scenes of 'Brave New World'.
Amid the chatter, Mackie reassured fans that the reshoots aren’t alarming, adding that Brave New World is “literally the best movie it can be”.
“Every movie that Marvel has made, every movie that DC has made – Star Wars, Star Trek... Disney – has done reshoots,” he told Esquire magazine.
Brave New World also faced controversy following a comment Mackie made during the film’s press tour in Rome on Jan 27.
At the time, Mackie said Cap embodies many ideals, and the term “America” isn’t one of them.
He then expanded on what Captain America truly represents – a man who’s trustworthy, dependable and upholds honour, dignity and integrity.
Despite his explanation, many fixated on his initial statement, with some accusing both Mackie and Brave New World of being “anti-American”.
In response to the backlash, Mackie clarified on his Instagram Story that he’s a “proud American”, and playing a hero like Cap is “the honour of a lifetime”.
“I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. Captain America has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to,” he said.
Bridging the gap
Family comes first for Mackie, who has four boys – aged between eight and 15 – with his ex-wife Sheletta Chapital.
The pair divorced in 2018 after four years of marriage but remain on good terms, sharing joint custody of their children.
Throughout his career, Mackie has kept his private life out of the business.
The MCU star has often said that while he may be a superhero on screen, at home, he’s just a dad who loves playing board games with his children.
Although Mackie’s sons aren’t too fazed by his high-profile career, those moments when they do take notice mean everything to him.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Mackie shared a touching moment when his son realised the huge place his dad would take not just in the MCU but in pop culture.
Mackie was able to connect with his sons on a deeper level thanks to his Marvel projects.“He calls me, bawling, and he’s like ‘Dad, you’re Captain America... I didn’t know. That’s so amazing, I’m so proud of you’. Then I start crying. I’m like, ‘You’re proud of me, I’m proud of you buddy’,” he recounted.
As we neared the final minute of our interview, Mackie opened up about his relationship with his sons.
As a father, he’s always seeking ways to relate with his boys.
“By generation, everything’s so different – like I was different from my parents, and my parents are different from my grandparents, so you always look for that common bond.
“I don’t want to impose and force my likes on my kids,” he told StarLifestyle.
Mackie found that connection through Marvel, with its themes of integrity, moral compass and decision-making offering room for meaningful conversations with his sons.
The actor expressed happiness at how his Marvel projects have become a shared language with his boys, and he cherishes each of those moments with them.
“All these movies talk about so many different things – like what’s a good guy and a bad guy.
“With these movies, you’re able to have that conversation with kids, especially with little boys, being a boy dad myself.
“I always tell my kids you want to be a good guy... You don’t want to grow up to be Thanos, you know? We don’t like Thanos,” he concluded.
Captain America: Brave New World is showing in cinemas nationwide.
