Anthony Mackie made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Sam Wilson in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). Five years later, in Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passed the “Captain America” mantle to him, paving the way for Sam to take on the iconic role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
Since the Disney+ series aired, a few years have passed, and Mackie is now set to headline his first feature film as Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World, slated for release in February 2025.
While the decision to have a Black man as Captain America has faced criticism from some quarters, Mackie remains steadfast in his belief in the importance of representation. In a recent video, he shared an inspiring message about why it matters for children of all races to see a Captain America who looks like him.
“I think it’s just as important for Black kids to see a Black Captain America as it is for white kids,” Mackie stated. “Growing up, my favourite hero was green; it wasn’t about race or anything. It was about him being a good guy trying to do the right thing.”
He added, “It’s very important for kids of all races to be able to watch and have someone to look up to no matter what they look like, and see that that package comes with a good human being as opposed to what they’ve been perceived as by everyone else.”
These heartfelt sentiments have resonated with MCU fans, many of whom agree that Mackie embodies the qualities of Captain America. After his solo adventure, Sam Wilson is expected to take on a leadership role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, set to release in 2026.
Anthony Mackie talks about what it means to be playing a black Captain America:
“I think it’s just as important for black kids to see a black Captain America as it is for white kids. Growing up my favorite hero was green, it wasn’t about race or anything. It was about him being… pic.twitter.com/ESJVcY0t70
— The Cine Geek (@CineGeekNews) January 28, 2025
In Captain America: Brave New World, Sam will meet the newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford in his MCU debut. The plot sees Sam caught in the middle of an international crisis as he races to uncover the mastermind behind a sinister global conspiracy that could plunge the world into chaos.
The film features a star-studded cast, including Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. Directed by Julius Onah, it is produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, with Louis D’Esposito and Charles Newirth serving as executive producers.
Captain America: Brave New World hits U.S. theaters on February 14, 2025.
