After eight years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Anthony Mackie feels like he has something to say about his character. He portrayed the Valk from his introduction in Captain America: The Winter Soldier until Chris Evans gave up his role in Avengers: Endgame. After his departure, Mackie took over the role of Captain America and earned the title during his time on the Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Now Mackie is gearing up for his first feature film appearance as the titular character in Captain America: New World Order. The fourth installment in the franchise will be released in 2024, with pre-production in full swing, as Marvel plans to film in 2023. The film, headed by Julius Onah, is under a lot of pressure to continue the trilogy that preceded it. However, Anthony Mackie recounts: Variety that there is a lot of collaboration between him and the writer, Malcolm Spellman. The two worked together on The Falcon and the Winter Soldierand they want to reinvigorate their chemistry for the upcoming movie.
“They are definitely very inclusive,” explains Mackie. “When We Did That” The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, [writer] Malcolm Spellman and I talked at length about what that character was becoming, what we wanted him to be, what we wanted that story to be.” Mackie continues, saying their work on the series reflects what they want to do with Captain America. “As Malcolm writes this Captain America, it’s exactly the same. We talked and communicated what we want that story to be and how it will fit into this new Marvel universe. You definitely get the idea of collaboration, but you can’t tell them what it’s going to be.”
Of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe requires careful planning and the sketching of stories that will connect through Phase 6, which is still years away. Kevin Feige may do most of the heavy lifting in that area, but it makes sense that certain restrictions are placed on the creative vision of both directors and actors.
Anthony Mackie doesn’t know if he’s in Lightning strikes
Another Marvel movie from 2024, Lightning strikes, is preparing to start production soon. The film stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, all of whom will reprise their previously introduced roles. In the past, Stan’s Bucky Barnes character was almost inextricably linked to Mackie’s Falcon, even though they didn’t always get along.
During his Variety interview, Mackie was asked if he would appear in the upcoming Lightning strikes, and the 44-year-old actor admits he doesn’t know. “I have no idea,” he says. “You know how it works. They call you the week before and say, ‘We own your ass. Get in the movie.'” Ironically, Sebastian Stan has proclaimed that he is “finally free” from Mackie with his upcoming movie, despite the possibility of an appearance of his character.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see if their characters are reunited. Captain America: New World Order lands in theaters on May 3, 2024, with Lightning strikes fast then on July 26, 2024.