Washington DC [US]: Actor Anthony Mackie, best known for playing Sam Wilson (Falcon) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has shared how relocating from Hollywood to his hometown, New Orleans, brought him peace.
In an interview with Esquire, as quoted by People, Mackie reflected on his decision to step away from the industry hub in 2008 after a memorable day spent fishing with friends and golfing with his uncle.
“Moving to New Orleans slowed my career in a way. But it also gave me the peace of mind and confidence—being outside of the business—that I can bring a natural humanity into my roles,” he said.
Despite the move, Mackie has still managed to work on projects filmed in New Orleans, including his 2023 Netflix thriller ‘We Have a Ghost’ and the Peacock series ‘Twisted Metal’.
Captain America: Brave New World & Controversy
Mackie will soon appear in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, marking the first standalone Captain America film since ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019), where Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) passed the shield to his character, Sam Wilson.
However, Mackie recently sparked controversy during a promotional tour in Italy when he made comments about Captain America’s representation.
“To me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations. It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable,” Mackie said, as per Deadline.
His remarks went viral on social media, drawing criticism from fans who saw the superhero as an emblem of American values.
Mackie’s Response to Backlash
Following the online debate, Mackie took to Instagram Stories to clarify his stance:
“Let me be clear about this: I’m a proud American, and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime.”
“I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.”
Despite the mixed reactions, excitement remains high for ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, which will continue Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Star-Spangled Avenger.