Since he appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and popped out those wings, fans have wanted Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson to receive his spotlight. Since Brave New World is his first solo film, everyone involved wants to do him right in a bunch of ways, especially in terms of action.
During Disney’s recent APAC Contest Showcase in Singapore, Mackie discussed how Sam differs from Steve Rogers and John Walker. Despite his new position as a “leader of his community in the country,” Sam continues to work as a trauma counselor for combat veterans. As a result, Mackie stated that his character is “more of a friend to everyone,” and that his acts are more deliberate. This is especially significant given the pressure he’s under in the film: not only is he Black and acting as Cap after Walker murders a guy in public, but his friend Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) sets the scheme in motion by attempting to assassinate President Ross for no apparent reason.
The exact amount of thought will be applied to Brave New World’s action scenes. Steve and John benefited from the Super Soldier Serum. Still, Sam is ultimately a guy with high-tech wings, and people in the Captain America films die more quickly than characters in other MCU series. Mackie explained that Sam needs to “be smart and engineer different ways of defeating [enemies],” especially since he’s up against people like Red Hulk. His Wakandan-made suit levels the playing field, “taking all of my skills to a completely different level,” according to the actor. “I can kick harder, fly faster, and it gives me the ability to be more agile in my skills.”
Previous films and television series have not always done a great job of highlighting Sam’s strengths. We’ll see how he does alone when Captain America: Brave New World reaches theaters on February 14, 2025.
How do you think Sam Wilson will fare as the new Captain America?
(Via Deadline)
