Anthony Mackie Says Captain America: Brave New World is a “Massive Moment” for the MCU

The MCU has been in a bit of a tailspin for the last few years, with films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels failing to connect with audiences (or critics). However, the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World (out on February 14th) looks like it might just be able to bring the MCU back to its former heights.

Captain America: Brave New World stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, who has taken on the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans). While plot details still remain under wraps, the film focuses on the rise of Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) as he becomes President of the United States while also transforming into the dangerous Red Hulk.

With Sam Wilson transitioning from his role as the Falcon and taking up the Captain America shield, The Falcon is now inhabited by Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the film’s premiere, Mackie describes Captain America: Brave New World as a sort of relaunch for the MCU.

“I feel like this movie, Brave New World, just like Captain America: The First Avenger, is…[a] building block to build to that next crescendo,” says Mackie. “It’s a massive moment in the MCU universe. I’m proud that we’re here at the beginning, like, I’m proud to say that we’re that footprint that is at the beginning of that walk.”

Looking towards the future of Captain America in the MCU, Mackie explains that the everyman nature of Sam Wilson is something tangible that audiences can relate to, even in a superhero franchise.

“This movie establishes Sam as his own being, his own entity or incarnation of Captain America,” says Mackie.

“And the fact that he’s never taken a serum, the fact that he’s every man’s Captain America, I think that’ll have an effect and will pay off greatly in the future of the franchise because he can give the perspective of the regular guy as opposed to the super guy. And I think that’s something with the character that’s unique and rare and that people can gravitate to and see themselves in.”

Captain America: Brave New World opens in theatres on February 14, 2025.