Anthony Mackie Explains Why His Captain America Will Be Different From Chris Evans'

In Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passed his shield to his friend Sam Wilson. While it took Sam some time to embrace his new superhero role, he eventually did so in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Now, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next film, Anthony Mackie will portray Captain America instead of Falcon. In a recent statement, Mackie confirmed that unlike Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, Sam has not received the super serum, which means he won’t possess superhuman abilities and will need to rely on his other skills.

“It’s very different because of the serum. With it, you can fight anyone,” said Mackie, who first appeared in the MCU 10 years ago in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He has since reprised his role in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In the latter, he fully accepted Steve Rogers’ legacy as Captain America.

However, the shield and title don’t come with enhanced abilities, and Mackie emphasized how this sets Sam apart from Steve Rogers.

“If you don’t have the serum, you have to be smart. You have to find other ways to defeat your opponents. Sam, being a [military] counselor, uses his mind more than his strength. He relies on his intelligence over brute force. He’s a friend to everyone,” Mackie explained.

Captain America: Brave New World is slated to hit theaters in February 2025. The film will also feature Harrison Ford as newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross. In trailers, Ross warns Sam that although he is Captain America, he is not Steve Rogers—a reality Sam is well aware of. The movie will also see Ross gaining supernatural powers, transforming into the Red Hulk, a transformation teased in recent trailers showcasing Ford’s character’s formidable new form.