Captain America star Anthony Mackie has come under fire after making a controversial comment about his character.
During an onstage interview in Rome, while promoting his upcoming film, Captain America: Brave New World, Mackie stated that Captain America “represents a lot of different things,” but added, “The term ‘America’ isn’t one of them.”
The comment, meant to highlight the character’s universal appeal, quickly sparked backlash online. Fans and critics alike took to social media to express their opinions, with some accusing Mackie of undermining the character’s patriotic roots.
“For me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” Mackie said during the interview. Realizing the potential fallout of his words, the actor quickly tried to clarify, adding, “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”
But the damage was already done. Within hours, Mackie’s statement went viral, with critics accusing him of stripping the character of its patriotic essence.
As the criticism mounted, Mackie took to Instagram on Tuesday to address the controversy and clarify his remarks. In a post on his Instagram Story, the actor wrote:
Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American, and taking on the shield of a hero like [Captain America] is the honor of a lifetime. I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. [Captain America] has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.
Captain America: Brave New World, set to release on February 14, marks the first film in the franchise since Mackie’s Sam Wilson officially took up the mantle.
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