During the press junket for Captain America: Brave New World, many questions about Captain America’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe came up, including about the potential of Sam Wilson facing off against an evil Steve Rogers. With Robert Downey Jr. set to return in Avengers: Doomsday as Doctor Doom, there have been rumors of evil variants of other famous Avengers appearing. While Chris Evans was originally confirmed to appear in the film, it now appears that may no longer be the case.
ScreenRant’s own Liam Crowley spoke with Anthony Mackie at the event, where conversation turned to the idea of pulling punches. Crowley noted that, over the course of Sam Wilson’s time in the MCU, his empathy has grown. While the Sam who appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier noted about Bucky that “I don’t know if he’s the guy and the guy to save, he might be the kind of guy that you stop,” it seems that with the new film, Sam’s outlook may have become more generous. Crowley asked Mackie how this change of heart could impact future conflicts.
Well, I think it goes back to the fight sequence between Iron Man and Captain America in Civil War. I think there’s a certain understanding between the two Caps that once they come together, just like with Bucky, I mean there’s a certain understanding between the two characters that it’ll be like De Niro and Pacino in Heat. That’s what I would be most excited about, is the idea of being able to act it out instead of duke it out.”
What Anthony Mackie’s Comments Mean For Avengers: Doomsday
The Upcoming Film May Feature A Captain America Conflict In A Unique Way
The Michael Mann film Heat sees two legendary actors in Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, on opposite sides of the law. De Niro plays a thief, while Pacino is the detective out to get him. The tension between the two is incredible, and there seems to be a level of respect from either side, even as they work hard to stop one another. Mackie seems to suggest there is a similar level of respect between Sam and Steve Rogers, and that that would shine through, no matter the iteration of the characters.
Rather than being a simple matching of brutal violence, Mackie seems to suggest that a conflict between Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers would be more thoughtful and compelling than that. If an evil Captain America appears in Doomsday, there will be a great deal at stake, and the conflict will be a unique one. Rather than breaking into punches, it seems that this kind of difference would allow for some excellent character moments that would instill a great deal of tension into the franchise.
Our Take On Anthony Mackie’s MCU Comments
The Comments Might Point Toward Plans That Are Already In Process For The MCU
Mackie’s comments about this situation are interesting because they seem to reflect a very specific outlook on how a conflict between the two Captain Americas would play out. It seems that the actor has spent some time thinking about this, and I can’t help but wonder if there have already been conversations about this playing out in Avengers: Doomsday. Until then, however, it is exciting to see how this version of the Sam Wilson character impacts the larger universe when Captain America: Brave New World is released soon.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date
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February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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