Anthony Mackie has opened up about the unforgettable moment when Chris Evans revealed to him that he would be taking over the role of Captain America in the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World. In a candid interview with Fandango on 17 January, Mackie shared how the news came directly from Evans, and it wasn’t quite what he expected.
The two actors were hanging out together at Chris Evans’ home, watching a game, when the conversation took a turn. “He goes, ‘Have you read the new script?’ I said, ‘Nah,'” Mackie recalled. At first, Mackie thought Evans was referring to a potential plotline where his character, Sam Wilson (aka Falcon), might meet an untimely end. “Being Black,” Mackie joked, “I’m like ‘I’mma die, damn. They’re getting rid of me, man.'”
However, things took a surprising turn when Evans took Mackie into his “man cave,” where the big reveal happened. “He gets the new script, goes to like the last 10 pages, and he goes, ‘Read it!'” Mackie recounted. As he read the scene where Captain America hands over the shield to his character, he was left wondering why Sam was given the shield. To his astonishment, Evans responded, “Because you’re f–king Captain America.”
Mackie was thrilled by the unexpected news and couldn’t have imagined a better way to find out. “We hug, we jump up and down,” he said, laughing at how “hilarious” the moment was.
Now, with Captain America: Brave New World set to premiere on February 13, Mackie is excited to step into the legendary superhero role and show the world why he’s ready. But one person he doesn’t need to convince? Chris Evans. “His excitement for me becoming Captain America let me know that he knew I could handle it,” Mackie said, reflecting on Evans’ unwavering support.