Anthony Mackie is reminding fans of the “universal characteristics” of Captain America after some recent remarks from the Brave New World star were criticized on social media by the kind of people who foolishly believe the broligarchs of our time give even a single shit about them.
Mackie delivered the innocuous remarks in question at a recent Brave New World event ahead of its theatrical release next month.
“For me, Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” Mackie said in the widely shared clip. “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity; someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”
Mackie also called the latest MCU film “an aspect of a dream coming true” for him, and specifically one that serves as an ideal example of what he sees as the importance of his job as an actor.
Longtime Marvel followers have since pointed out that not only are Mackie’s comments decidedly in line with previous ones made by former Captain America embodier Chris Evans, but they also touch on a sentiment found in the source material itself. Still, that didn’t stop the usual suspects from running with the “America” part of what Mackie said.
Amid the should-have-just-been-ignored discourse, Mackie, as seen below, shared a follow-up statement to Instagram in which he said he is “a proud American” and called it “the honor of a lifetime” to have the opportunity to step into the Captain America character.
Those critical of the initial remarks had zeroed in on the “America” aspect of what was said, taking issue with the assertion, though in line with the comics, that Captain America, the character, doesn’t necessarily represent America, the country. Instead, and this is the part that echoes what Evans and others have said about the character over the years, Captain America is intended to represent more of an ideal, and namely one that the country itself doesn’t always achieve.
“CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to,” Mackie later said in an IG Stories update.
Some were also quick to defend Mackie's original remarks, with many arguing that he was “right” to begin with and shouldn't have faced criticism.
Captain America: Brave New World opens Feb. 14 in the States and also stars Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Harrison Ford, and more.