Passing the shield.
For Esquire’s new cover story on Anthony Mackie, Chris Evans told the mag that he broke the news to his Marvel co-star that Mackie was going to be the next Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“I inadvertently was the one who got to tell him that he was going to be Captain America. I didn’t know that he didn’t know,” Evans, 43, said in the story, published Thursday.
Anthony Mackie, Chris Evans in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Evans, who played Captain America in 11 MCU movies, explained that he surprised Mackie with the news at a gathering at his house during the filming of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
“I said, ‘Man, isn’t that scene so beautiful? I love it so much and I’m so happy for you,’” Evans recalled, referring to the moment in “Endgame” where the elderly Steve Rogers gives Mackie’s Sam Wilson Captain America’s shield.
Anthony Mackie for Esquire. Alexander Saladrigas
Anthony Mackie for Esquire. Alexander Saladrigas
Anthony Mackie for Esquire. Alexander Saladrigas
Evans said he ran upstairs, grabbed the “Endgame” script and gave it to his co-star and friend.
“I got to sit there and watch him read it,” Evans shared. “And he was just so happy.”
Mackie shared his side of the story in a recent interview with Fandango.
Anthony Mackie and Chris Evans at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards. Getty Images for MTV
“Being black, I’m like, ‘I’ma die, damn. They’re getting rid of me, man. I don’t even cause no trouble. I stand in the back, like I don’t bother nobody,’” Mackie said, explaining that he thought the script was going to reveal Sam’s death.
Mackie continued, “He gets the new script. He goes to like the last 10 pages, and he goes, ‘Read it!’ So I’m thinking they 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed me off … I get to the part … I’m reading the scene between us, and it goes, ‘He hands him the shield.’ I’m like, ‘So why did you give me the shield?’ He’s like, ‘Because you’re f–king Captain America.’”
Anthony Mackie shooting “Captain America: Brave New World.” ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
“We hug, we jump up and down,” the “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” star recalled. “It was hilarious.”
Mackie is the first black actor to play Captain America. His role as the star-spangled hero begins with “Captain America: Brave New World,” which comes out in theaters Feb. 14.
In the Esquire story, Mackie also addressed the report that Evans is supposedly returning to the MCU for 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday.”
Anthony Mackie, director Joe Russo and Chris Evans on the set of 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
“I didn’t know!” said Mackie. “I talked to Chris a few weeks ago and it wasn’t on the table then. At least, he didn’t tell me it was on the table, because I asked him. I was like, ‘You know, they said they’re bringing everyone back for the movie. Are you coming back?’ He goes, ‘Oh, you know, I’m happily retired.’”
“I learned that right there,” Mackie added. “My manager showed me. He’s like, ‘Oh, so I guess Chris is coming back.’ That’s all I know. I haven’t seen a script.”
Evans told Esquire the report about his MCU comeback is “not true.”
“This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years — ever since ‘Endgame.’ I’ve just stopped responding to it. Yeah, no — happily retired!” he confirmed.
Chris Evans at the “Red One” premiere in New York in November. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
While doing press for his new Marvel movie in Rome earlier this week, Mackie caused controversy for saying that he doesn’t think doesn’t think Captain America “represents” America.
“For me, Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term, you know, ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” the actor said to the audience. “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”
Danny Ramirez and Anthony Mackie in “Captain America: Brave New World.” ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
After facing swift backlash online, Mackie clarified his comments in a statement on his Instagram Stories.
“Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime,” the star wrote.
“I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to,” he added.