Anthony Mackie Discusses His Future in the MCU After “Brave New World”: “I Don’t Want To Be A 60-Year-Old Captain America”

Anthony Mackie has recently outlined his anticipated timeline as Captain America before making his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Captain America: Brave New World. As one of the longest-serving actors in the MCU, Mackie’s journey began in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where he portrayed Sam Wilson, an Air Force veteran who becomes the Falcon after developing a friendship with Steve Rogers. Following Steve’s retirement at the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, the iconic shield was entrusted to Sam, signifying a massive responsibility to uphold Captain America’s legacy.

Initially hesitant to take on Steve’s mantle, Sam Wilson ultimately embraced his new identity by the end of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. With Brave New World being his first standalone film as Captain America, Mackie is poised to continue representing the shield in various Marvel projects. However, he acknowledges the inevitability of change, expressing in an interview with Esquire that he envisions himself in the role for a “solid 10 years”but prefers to step away before the role becomes less fitting due to age.

I give it a solid ten years. You have the two Avengers movies, you have hopefully another Captain America, and then random plug-and-plays: Oh, Spider-Man! Oh, Fantastic Four! What are you doing here? But you never know. I mean, I don’t want to be a sixty-year-old Captain America.

Implications of Anthony Mackie’s Comments on His Captain America Future

Mackie’s remarks shed light on several critical points regarding his future in the MCU. He is expected to reprise his role as Captain America in the upcoming Avengers films: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Given Captain America’s status as a pivotal leader in the Avengers team, it will be intriguing to see how Sam Wilson adapts to this key role. However, Mackie candidly admits there is no structured plan for Captain America after these films, indicating that Marvel may assess the box office performance of Brave New World before making decisions on potential sequels.

In the absence of standalone Captain America films, it’s likely that Mackie could still appear in cameos or supporting roles throughout other Marvel productions, as he has suggested. Moreover, he recognizes the natural progression of aging and his 10-year projection indicates a thoughtful approach to his tenure in this iconic role. While anything is possible—a point illustrated by Hugh Jackman reprising Wolverine at the age of 56—it remains apparent that Mackie prefers to retire from the role gracefully when the time comes.

Insight on Anthony Mackie’s Perspective About His Marvel Future

It’s crucial to appreciate that Captain America transcends being merely a character; he embodies a powerful symbol for ideals such as courage, sacrifice, and heroism. As Mackie prepares to conclude his chapter in this role, it’s feasible that his shield may be handed over to the next generation, potentially to Danny Ramirez, who portrays Joaquin Torres in Captain America: Brave New World. However, as the MCU evolves, it’s conceivable that Captain America’s relevance may shift significantly over a decade, especially with the introduction of mutants likely becoming a focal point for the franchise by 2035.

Mackie’s estimated tenure of 10 years appears realistic, considering the uncertainties about the MCU’s trajectory a decade from now. By then, Mackie will be 56 years old, and while Chris Evans upheld the role for 12 years beginning at the age of 31, Mackie, being three years older than Evans, might find his time as Captain America less prolonged. Nevertheless, given Mackie’s dedication to maintaining his physical fitness and acting prowess, he is well-equipped to take on the role for the foreseeable future following the release of Captain America: Brave New World.