In a heartfelt gesture, Anthony Mackie, the new Captain America, revealed that Chris Evans, who previously portrayed Steve Rogers, congratulated him on his performance in the latest Marvel film, Captain America: Brave New World. Mackie shared the news while promoting his new animated project, Sneaks, stating, "I haven't talked to him. I just got a text from him saying 'good job' and that he loved the movie. I haven't talked to him because we've both been running around. He's been in, like Middle Europe somewhere, working." This exchange highlights the camaraderie and respect between the two actors, reminiscent of the bond their characters share in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Captain America: Brave New World, which hit theaters on February 14, 2025, is the fourth installment in the Captain America series and a direct continuation of the Disney+ miniseries, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In this film, Mackie's character, Sam Wilson, steps into the iconic role after receiving the shield from Rogers in Avengers: Endgame. The film has already sparked significant conversation among fans, both for its storytelling and its reception.
The film, directed by Julius Onah, follows Sam Wilson as he navigates a complex international incident after meeting with U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford. As Wilson uncovers a global conspiracy, he must rely on his wits and determination, as he lacks the superhuman abilities of his predecessor. The cast also includes Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Giancarlo Esposito as Seth Voelker, and Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader.
Despite its mixed reviews, with a current approval rating of 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, Brave New World has performed well at the box office, grossing over $414.1 million against an estimated production budget of $180 million. This financial success indicates that audiences are still eager for superhero stories, even as opinions about the film vary.
While Mackie has yet to reunite with Evans, the anticipation surrounding the former Captain America's future in the MCU continues to grow. Evans's recent cameo as the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine has fans speculating about his potential return as Captain America in upcoming films, including Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
In a recent interview, Mackie expressed his excitement about the upcoming Avengers project, hinting at the possibility of teaming up with characters from the X-Men franchise. "Look, I'm a big Cyclops fan. That's my favorite X-Men. I have a Cyclops action figure on my keychain that I've had since high school. When I was in high school, the X-Men cartoon was really big, and this was before the movies. I've always been a huge Cyclops fan, and I'm really, really excited — hopefully, knock on wood — for them to be a part of it and come into it," Mackie shared.
As the MCU evolves, it seems that the legacy of Captain America will continue to resonate with fans. Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson as the new Captain America has opened up new narratives and possibilities within the franchise. While some fans remain divided over the transition from Evans to Mackie, many are eager to see how Wilson's character will develop in future installments.
In addition to Mackie, Brave New World features a talented ensemble cast, including Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Black Widow turned high-ranking government official, and Xosha Roquemore as Leila Taylor. The film underwent significant reshoots and made changes to its original script, which included cutting several members of the Serpent Society, a notorious group in the Marvel comics.
As Marvel continues to expand its cinematic universe, the excitement surrounding the character of Sam Wilson and the legacy of Captain America remains palpable. With Mackie at the helm, fans can look forward to new adventures and challenges as Wilson strives to uphold the values of heroism and justice that Captain America embodies.
As the release of Captain America: Brave New World on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD approaches on May 13, 2025, audiences will have the opportunity to explore the film further, including deleted scenes and special features that delve into the making of this pivotal chapter in the MCU.
In the end, the transition from Chris Evans to Anthony Mackie as Captain America symbolizes a broader theme within the Marvel universe: the passing of the torch. As new heroes rise to take their place, the legacy of those who came before them continues to inspire and motivate, ensuring that the spirit of Captain America lives on.
