Anthony Mackie stopped by to chat with Audacy Atlanta V-103’s Big Tigger Morning Show all about Captain America: Brave New World, getting into what it's like being a Black Captain America, what make’s Sam Wilson’s Cap stand on his own, and more.
LISTEN NOW: V-103’s Big Tigger Morning Show: Anthony Mackie
Coming out in theaters on February 14, Captain America: Brave New World is Marvel’s latest installment of the MCU’s Phase 5 Multiverse Saga.
Answering, “How heavy is the shield?,” a double meaning inquiry if there ever was one, Anthony began with addressing the more symbolic meaning of him, through his character Sam Wilson, taking on the mantle of Captain America.
“It's a very impressive weight, Mackie began, “It's something that I never expected or thought about. It wasn't in my purview of something that would ever happen to me.”
“But there's a responsibility that comes with it,” he continued, “because I'm a father and I want my boys, I want your kids to be able to look at Captain America, the same way I want all boys to be able to look at Captain America… not because it's me, because it's them. And they need something to look up to, they need something to aspire to and that's humanity, that's dignity, and that's respect, and that's what Sam Wilson stands for.”
Getting into what make’s this new era of Captain America special, Anthony shared, “The great thing about this movie is when I met with Julius, our director, he literally came to New Orleans two days after getting the job, and we kicked it like for a weekend.” And during their time together, Anthony said, “two words that kept coming up — compassion and empathy. And you know, there was this idea of what can we do to make Sam Wilson stand out as Captain America.”
He continued, “He has officially taken on the shield, he has officially taken on the responsibility of being Captain America. What can we do to make him stand out on his own?"
Detailing some of the elements in the film, Mackie shared, "So… we took it to Wakanda, got it reupped and revamped… and we’re doing things with the wings and with the action, and with the style of fighting that you've never seen.”
Offering up some insider info (somebody check on Kevin Feige), Anthony revealed, “we literally have a sequence in this movie that we call 'Top Gun'… it’s me and Danny (Ramirez) and we're flying dude… you've never seen anything like it, and I'm very proud of it. I'm proud of the fact that we took Sam, we gave him his just do, and we pushed it as hard as we could.”
Oh and just in case you weren’t already planning on staying for a post-credit scene, Anthony advises you “don't leave until the lights come on.”
Asked to provide one final plug and tell everyone why they need to go see Captain America: Brave New World in theaters come February 14. Anthony had the following to say: “So if you look at the Marvel universe, right, the first Marvel movie was Captain America: The First Avenger, right? And that's where we introduced to Captain America and him building the Marvel Universe, the MCU up to Endgame, which was the great crescendo. There was no way of building on Endgame, it was called Endgame for reason. It was the Kobe Bryant of Marvel movies — Ain’t no better, right?”
“So, we had to restart to build again and Captain America, Brave New World is the same platform that Captain America: The First Avenger was. So now, the universe will build off this movie, so you get to that great crescendo of Endgame a second time, whatever that movie might be. But this is the start of that, where you meet these characters, you have a love for these characters, and then you go on that journey with them to that great crescendo.”
To catch it all, listen to the entire interview above.
Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14, until then check out the official trailer and a first look featurette of the Marvel movie below.