Anthony Mackie Clarifies His Captain America Future After Brave New World: "A 60-Year-Old Captain America. That'll Hurt."
Anthony Mackie has spoken about being a 60-year-old Captain America and clarified his MCU future after Captain America: Brave New World. Sam Wilson's first big-screen outing as Captain America will also be Anthony Mackie's first time being the star of an MCU movie when Captain America: Brave New World releases on February 14. This appearance may precede plenty more, particularly as one of the many titular team members due to appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. These movies could, of course, result in the death of Avengers like Mackie's Cap.
Nevertheless, Mackie has stated in an exclusive interview with ScreenRant's Liam Crowley that he would love to continue portraying Sam Wilson's Captain America for 10 years starting next week, clarifying that he wouldn't want to go any longer as portraying a 60-year-old Captain America would hurt. Mackie is now 46 years old, meaning he will be 56 by the time his preferred tenure reaches its conclusion, though whether his Captain America role will survive the events of Avengers: Secret Wars remains to be seen. Mackie's full quote is as follows:
Liam Crowley: You said recently that you want to play Captain America for a solid 10 years. I'd love to just get a clarification on that timeline because technically you took on the mantle in 2021. So do we have six years left or is the 10 years starting today?
Anthony Mackie: No, no, no. The 10 years start on the 14th. That's it. After the 14th I got a 10-year run. I'm not trying to be a 60-year-old Captain America. That'll hurt.
Liam Crowley: And is there an ambition to make it a full trilogy? Do you want to lead more movies, or would we ever go back to streaming?
Anthony Mackie: I think there's something in the idea of Captain America being, people love the nature of these movies, the attitude, the realness, the groundedness of these movies. It just works in a cinematic base that I think movies, Captain America deserves to be on the big screen because people love Captain America and that's where they want to see him.
What Anthony Mackie's Comments Mean For Sam Wilson's Captain America Story
Mackie's Comments Were Somewhat Supported By Director Julius Onah
As Avengers: Secret Wars draws ever closer, the rumored soft reboot of the MCU threatens the roles of many longstanding MCU characters. Mackie's comments certainly suggest that he feels confident that Sam Wilson will be among the survivors when the dust settles after the Multiverse Saga's climactic movie. While this is far from a foregone conclusion, the sentiment that there is still plenty for Captain America and the supporting cast of Captain America: Brave New World to offer the world is mirrored by the movie's director, Julius Onah, who was also quizzed on Anthony Mackie's "10 years" comment:
Liam Crowley: I just talked with Anthony. He said he wants to play Captain America for another 10 years, and that was 10 years start on February 14th. It's clear that that character can't just hop to Avengers, hop to a The Falcon & The Winter Soldier Season 2, the character is made for the big screen. When Captain America, 5, 6, 7, whatever come around, is that a property that you want to continue with?
Julius Onah: Look, I am so grateful for the opportunity to make this. I would definitely welcome that. Right now, my heart and soul and my focus is in getting this movie out in the world. I love the fact that this is the first event movie of 2025. The people across the world can experience at one time. Movies for me are about community and that's why that theme of empathy was so important. And I'm just so happy and so proud of Anthony and this entire cast. So that's what I'm looking forward to the most right now.
Liam Crowley: You don't have to tell me specifics, but have you started to conceptualize a little more Serpent Society? A little more Red Hulk?
Julius Onah: You know, what's great about Captain America is that he's a global figure. I think there's some really, this is a already a geopolitical story that has global implications. I think there's more great global storytelling to be told. Putting Sam Wilson out there in the world.
It stands to reason that both the director and star of Captain America: Brave New World stop short of confirming future installments at this point. While Mackie's comments confirm that Sam Wilson will survive the events of his movie, Onah's suggest that he will emerge as a bona fide global protector like his predecessor, Steve Rogers. Further clarity on Sam Wilson's MCU future, it seems, will only materialize after Captain America: Brave New World is released on February 14.
Our Take On Anthony Mackie's Captain America Comments
I'm Keen To See More Of Sam Wilson's Captain America
I share Anthony Mackie's hopes that Sam Wilson enjoys another decade contributing to the MCU as its newer Captain America. I think both Sam Wilson and Anthony Mackie have an expert handle on what embodying the role means, and I think Captain America Brave New Worldwill ultimately vindicate Steve Rogers' decision to bequeath the shield and mantle to his compatriot. Given Mackie will be in his mid-fifties by the time his tenure draws to a close, however, I imagine he will take more of a backseat role as a leader and mentor following Avengers: Secret Wars.
Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date
- February 14, 2025
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Julius Onah
- Writers
- Dalan Musson, Malcolm Spellman
Cast
Sam Wilson / Captain America
Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross / Red Hulk
- Franchise(s)
- Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Your comment has not been saved