I didn't know who I wanted to be, just that it had to happen sometime, says the American actor to TT.
I'm incredibly happy that it turned out that way. I'm really having a blast.
Seven times he has played the superhero Falcon in the series of films, but has now taken over the role as Captain America. The old Captain America, Steve Rogers, is living a happy family life in the 1940s where he has gotten stuck. But the switch doesn't constitute a major change, says Mackie.
It's the same kind of character, who is loyal and characterized by honor and dignity. I see him as the best version of the person we all think we are. Although the costume I have in the film is new and cooler.
Elements of conspiracy thriller
In "Captain America: Brave New World", Captain America ends up in confrontation with President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford has taken over the role after William Hurt's death). The film has elements of conspiracy thriller, and director Julius Onah says to TT that he was clearly inspired by 1970s classics like "The Conversation" and "The Last Witness".
We wanted to make a more toned-down superhero film, it should be more realistic than many of the others.
Anthony Mackie agrees.
In this film, we don't fly up into space and fight against aliens. The film is more rooted in reality. But there's still a lot of action, when it comes down to it, it's an action film.
Marvel films often differ significantly from the comic books that are the origin. But Mackie believes that most people accept it.
I think everyone, even the most die-hard Marvel fans, realizes that it's not possible to follow the comics page by page. The comics are a sketch that we start from.
A step up
For him, the film is a big step up in his career, not least because he has the lead role in a Marvel film for the first time.
It meant, among other things, that I had to be on set every day. I haven't had to do that before. Now I was the star, I was one of the producers, I had been involved in developing the film. At the same time, this was Julius' first Marvel film, we helped each other.
As a black actor, Mackie sees playing Captain America as a great honor.
Really. And he represents the good in all of us, the whole world can see that. When I was little, I had Superman as an idol, now children all over the world can have Captain America as an idol and be inspired by his decency.
Age: 46 years.
Family: Four children.
Lives: In New Orleans.
Occupation: Actor, producer.
Previous films in selection: "8 Mile", "The Manchurian Candidate", "Million Dollar Baby", "The Hurt Locker", "Captain America: The Return of the First Avenger", "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "Ant-Man", "The Night Before", "Captain America: Civil War", "Avengers: Endgame", "Altered Carbon", "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier", "The Woman in the Window", "Elevation".
Currently starring in: "Captain America: Brave New World", which premieres in Swedish cinemas on 12/2.
