Jodi Diodati Administrative Officer | DeKalb County Republican Party
Jodi Diodati Administrative Officer | DeKalb County Republican Party
The lead actor of the upcoming "Captain America: Brave New World" film, Anthony Mackie, has stirred controversy with his recent remarks regarding the character's representation. During a press tour in Rome on January 27, Mackie stated that Captain America should not necessarily represent America.
Mackie explained, "Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations. It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable."
These comments were made during promotional activities for the fourth installment of the Captain America franchise. However, Marvel's Italian account omitted this part from their promotional material. Disney, which owns Marvel Studios, did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.
A video clip shared on social media highlighted Mackie's statement: "To me, Captain America represents a lot of things... and America isn't one of them."
Following some backlash online, Mackie attempted to clarify his position through Instagram stories. He wrote, “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.” He emphasized his respect for those serving in the military and noted that Captain America's qualities are universal.
Despite these clarifications, some speculate that such statements could impact ticket sales negatively. The situation highlights ongoing discussions around how actors' public comments can affect movie reception.