Anthony Mackie took to Instagram to clear up the buzz surrounding his recent comments about what Captain America represents.
“Just to be crystal clear—I’m a proud American, and taking on the shield of a hero like [Captain America] is the honor of a lifetime,” Mackie wrote in his Instagram Story. “I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. [Captain America] has qualities that people all over the world can relate to.”
The clarification comes after Mackie faced some backlash over remarks he made during an onstage interview in Rome while promoting Captain America: Brave New World. During the interview, he shared his perspective on Cap’s symbolism, saying, “For 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.”
His comments quickly went viral, sparking debate online. Some fans saw his take as a fresh perspective on the character’s deeper values, while others felt it downplayed Captain America’s connection to the country itself.
Brave New World, hitting theaters on Feb. 14, will be the first Captain America film since Mackie officially took over the mantle from Chris Evans. In Avengers: Endgame (2019), Steve Rogers, the original Cap, passed down his shield to Sam Wilson, marking the beginning of a new era. Mackie’s Sam Wilson, formerly The Falcon, first appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and later starred alongside Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes in Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
The upcoming film boasts a star-studded cast, including Harrison Ford, Rosa Salazar, Liv Tyler, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Ramirez, and Shira Haas. Directed by Julius Onah, the movie features a script from Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, and Dalan Musson.
As for Mackie, he’s making it clear—his Captain America stands for something bigger than just a name.
