Since he appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and unleashed his wings, fans have been eager for Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, to have the spotlight for himself. Since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier marked his first solo film, everyone involved has wanted to do right by him in many ways, especially in the action department.
During a recent Disney APAC Showcase in Singapore (thanks, Deadline), Mackie touched on how Sam stands out compared to Steve Rogers and John Walker. Although his new role as “the leader of the community in this country,” Sam is still working as a trauma counselor for military veterans. Because of this, Mackie said his character is “more like a friend to everyone” and thinks more before taking action. This is especially important given the pressures Sam faces in the film: not only is he Black and taking on the role of Cap after Walker publicly killed a man, but his friend Isaiah Bradley also sets the plot in motion by trying to kill President Ross for no apparent reason.
This level of thought also applies to the action scenes in Captain America: Brave New World. Steve and John benefit from the Super Soldier Serum, but Sam is ultimately a man with a pair of high-tech wings, and people in the world of the Captain America films tend to die more easily than characters in other MCU franchises. Mackie explained that Sam has to be “smart and engineer different ways to beat (his enemies),” especially since he’ll be facing people like Red Hulk. His suit made in Wakanda helps even in a world where it plays with “bringing all of my skills to a really different level,” the actor said. “I can kick harder, fly faster, and it gives me the ability to be more agile in my skills.”
Previous films and shows haven’t always showcased Sam’s strength as best as they could. We’ll certainly see how he performs in Captain America: Brave New World, which hits theaters on February 14, 2025.
Want more io9 news? Check out the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
