The deafening calls for inclusivity and representation in Hollywood are starting to bear fruit. This is evident in Anthony Mackie taking over the lead role from Chris Evans (Steve Rogers) in “Captain America: Brave New World”, the fourth film in the Marvel franchise.

Of course, Mackie, who comes from the “Avengers” universe is no stranger to this world as he’s played Sam Wilson/ Falcon in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) and “Captain America: Civil War” (2016).

In a recently held press junket, Mackie unpacked when it meant to carry the mantle.

He said: “The biggest thing for me, our first day on set, all these people I had known for over a decade now, and everybody just came up and said congratulations.

“You know, it's weird. Bob Moore, who was my dresser, was my dresser on ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’. Russell Bobbitt, who did props, was in every movie I've been in.

“So it was just like that family thing, where you see this character grow into fruition and get his moment to shine. So I'm glad that I was able to do it with a host of stars and friends that I started with.”

Producer Kevin Feige added: “It was really all about Sam Wilson as Captain America and continuing. We saw him in the biggest movie we've ever made, ‘Avengers: Endgame’.

“We saw Steve Rogers pass it to Sam Wilson. We wanted to continue that story. And it's always about bringing new characters to the MCU, and this amazing cast that you see before you did just that.”

Mackie shared: “Well, this movie establishes Sam as his own being, his own entity or incarnation of Captain America.

“And the fact that he's never taken the 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, you know, can gravitate to and acknowledge and see themselves in.”

In this instalment, Sam, as the newly-appointed Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan.

Danny Ramirez takes over as Falcon (aka Joaquin Torres) and is his biggest ally.

Shedding light on Ramirez as a co-star, Mackie explained: “After meeting Danny and spending five minutes with him, it's very hard not to like him and enjoy his company. Like, his energy's infectious.

“And I just love the fact that no matter what it is or where it is, he's always him. For me, I never had to work on it or try and find anything for us to be friends or have that chemistry, because from the first moment, it was there. It's really weird.

“From the first moment I met this dude, like off the plane, he just felt like a friend. And yeah, he's just always felt like a friend. I can't imagine anybody else being in that role.”

When asked about the difference - if any- between Steve and Sam, Mackie noted: “I think Sam and Steve are similar in a lot of ways. I think that’s why Steve chose Sam to give the shield to, because of his distinct integrity and humanity.

“But you know, with Sam, there’s a certain level of compassion and understanding that comes into Sam Wilson because, remember when we met him, he was a counsellor. He was a veteran. He was just an open book of intentions and goodwill.

“So, I think with that, you know, that informs who he is as Captain America and, you know, who he is as a human being. It takes a very compassionate person to be a listener and a counsellor.”

∎ “Captain America: Brave New World” is showing at cinemas nationwide.

Fans will be delighted to know that Harrison Ford joins the Marvel universe as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross/ Red Hulk.

This is what he had to say about being cast as the newly-elected president of the United States.

Ford shared: “ I was very happy with the opportunity to play in this playground. What an amazing group of people to work with, and what an imaginative reality.

“So I was looking forward to having a piece of the action. I think the character was a great fit for me. I was honoured to be able to do my work on top of a foundation that a wonderful actor, Bill Hurt, provided for the character.”

He continued: “And the story is a wonderful extension of the stories that Thunderbolt Ross has been part of.

Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in 'Captain America: Brave New World’. Photo by Eli Adé. © 2024 MARVEL.

“And I think that that I was, you know, I watched Marvel movies, and seeing actors I really liked, really admired, have a great time, and I thought, hey, I want me some of that.

“But what I really think is essential is to make a film that for the audience is experiential. That they participate, emotionally. That they follow emotionally.

“And in the context of a film as action-oriented and imaginative as this is, it takes a representation of humanity that is recognisable.”

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