Captain America stars Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford step into MCU’s brave new world

Captain America: Brave New World ushers in a new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) superhero franchise, with Anthony Mackie stepping into the title role previously held by Chris Evans.

It also sees Harrison Ford in his first superhero film as he plays the incandescently dangerous Red Hulk, who rivals Bruce Banner’s Hulk when it comes to anger management issues.

Evans relinquished the Captain America role in Avengers: Endgame (2019), which saw his character Steve Rogers – who took an experimental serum and became a super-powered soldier in World War II – go back in time to complete a mission and decide to stay there.

So, he passed the Captain America shield to his friend, Sam Wilson (Mackie), who was previously the Falcon, a superhero with mechanical wings.

But, unlike Steve, Sam has not taken the serum, and must instead rely on strategy, intelligence and wit rather than just brute strength.

In an interview with The Straits Times when he was in Singapore in November to promote the film at The Walt Disney Company’s 2024 Asia Pacific Content Showcase, Mackie, 46, says Steve and Sam have the same values, but diverge when it comes to their physicality.

“Because I don’t have the serum, I can’t rush head-on into a collision with another superhero or person. I have to be more intricate and specific with the way that I handle problems.

“So, it’s the idea of brute force as opposed to sheer will,” says the American actor, who played the Falcon in the movie Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), as well as the Disney+ series The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (2021).

In a recent Zoom press conference from Las Vegas with the rest of Brave New World’s cast, Mackie adds that the new film – directed by Nigerian-American film-maker Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox, 2018) – will also establish his character as “his own being and his own incarnation of Captain America”.

“And the fact that he’s never taken the serum, I think that 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 that’s something people can see themselves in.”

Opening in Singapore cinemas on Feb 13, Brave New World follows Sam and former air force lieutenant Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), who is the new Falcon, as they discover a nefarious plot to brainwash soldiers and take over the world.

And they clash with the newly elected United States president Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Ford) when the latter transforms into Red Hulk. In the Marvel comics Red Hulk first appeared in, he emits an intense heat from his body when he is angry.

Ford, who headlined the Star Wars space opera franchise (1977 to present) and the Indiana Jones adventure films (1981 to 2023), was drawn to the MCU by how much fun its stars seem to have.

“I’ve watched Marvel movies and seen actors I really admire have a great time, and I thought, ‘Hey, I want some of that.’

“So, I was very happy for the opportunity to play in this playground,” says the 82-year-old American actor, who also appears in the comedy-drama series Shrinking (2023 to present).

He took over the role from the late American actor William Hurt, who played Thaddeus in five Marvel films beginning with The Incredible Hulk (2008).

Ford says: “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. And the story is a wonderful extension of the stories that Thunderbolt Ross has been part of.”

The Hollywood veteran also got a kick out of unleashing the fury of Red Hulk on set.

“I just went for it. And nobody stopped me,” he jokes.

Although there is no shortage of over-the-top action scenes, Ford says the movie is grounded in the humanity of its characters.

“I think it’s essential to make a film that is experiential for the audience, and that they participate in it emotionally.

“In a film that’s as action-oriented and imaginative as this is, it takes a representation of humanity that is recognisable, cogent and comfortable – (with) good guys and bad guys – to allow the audience to be surprised by their engagement.

“And I think this film has that in spades.”