Anthony Mackie believes Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers made the right choice in passing his shield to Sam Wilson, officially making him the new Captain America. This pivotal moment in Avengers: Endgame (2019) marked a new chapter for the iconic Marvel hero. Now, Mackie steps into the role of Captain America for the first time in his solo film, Captain America: Brave New World.
In a conversation with Hollywood Outbreak, Mackie shared his thoughts on why Steve Rogers chose Sam to succeed him. He explained that Steve saw something special in Sam, noting that there was a lot of Steve in Sam, and vice versa. Mackie elaborated, saying that Sam, unlike Steve, doesn’t have the super-soldier serum, which makes him more human—a compassionate superhero. He pointed out that when audiences first met Sam, he was working as a counselor, which reflects his empathetic and caring nature.
Mackie praised Sam’s character, emphasizing that he’s someone who can set aside his own problems to help others. He described Sam as a “caretaker” and a “humanitarian,” qualities that set him apart from Steve Rogers. He added that Sam can’t rely on brute strength to solve problems; instead, he listens, cares, and engages with people, responding to their needs in a more personal and thoughtful way.
At the end of Endgame, an older Captain America passes his shield to Sam, entrusting him with the responsibility of carrying on his legacy. Mackie’s version of Captain America was first introduced in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), where he shared the screen with Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes.
The new film, Captain America: Brave New World, directed by Julius Onah, follows Sam Wilson as he navigates his new role and faces a global crisis. Alongside Mackie, the film stars Danny Ramirez, Harrison Ford, and more. Captain America: Brave New World is now playing in theaters worldwide.