Anthony Mackie is one of the most prolific actors working today, appearing in several critically acclaimed, Oscar-winning films but never earning an Oscar nomination himself. Over 11 years, he has gone from a supporting hero (The Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) to being Captain America himself, now leading the franchise. He is about to headline Captain America: Brave New World, a movie opening in theaters right in the heart of awards season, which Mackie has a few words about.
While speaking with Esquire, Mackie spoke about his own feelings regarding awards season, weighing in with quite a bit of confidence about being overlooked. “It’s always apropos for me when awards season comes up. Because I know I’ve done at least four performances that could have been nominated — if not for a Golden Globe, then an Oscar or an Emmy,” Mackie said. However, being given the role of Captain America has been validating for Mackie, and he views it as a career win. “Captain America is my Oscar. Because I’ve been overlooked so many times in my career.”
Mackie has starred in two Academy Award Best Picture winners, 2004’s Million Dollar Baby and 2009’s The Hurt Locker. Ever since he debuted in 2002’s 8 Mile (which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song), Mackie has given great performances in critically acclaimed films such as Half Nelson, The Hate U Give, and Notorious, where he played Tupac Shakur.
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He has also shown his range on television, with a role in the critically acclaimed Black Mirror episode “Striking Vipers.” In one baffling award season choice, Don Cheadle was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Emmy in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier despite appearing for less than five minutes in the episode, while Mackie, who is one of the co-leads and the heart of the series, was snubbed.
Anthony Mackie is an Underrated Actor
Mackie’s comments will likely get him in some hot water, similar to how his comments about what Captain America should represent were misinterpreted to the point that he needed to issue an apology, despite previous Captain America star Chris Evans saying similar sentiments. Yet Mackie’s statement is not entirely without warrant, as he is a great actor that the Academy Awards have often overlooked.
Certain actors have fans who always ask why they haven’t won an Oscar, but why is it that Anthony Mackie hasn’t been awarded the same courtesy? While there was no way Mackie was going to beat Christoph Waltz for Best Supporting Actor in Inglourious Basterds, his performance in The Hurt Locker deserved to be nominated just as much, if not more, than Matt Damon in Invictus.
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There is also something meaningful about how much Mackie appreciates the role of Captain America. This role means a lot to many people, and for younger Black kids to see themselves represented on screen is more valuable than any award. There is great significance to Marvel and Disney having Sam Wilson, a Black man, be the new Captain America, putting Anthony Mackie front and center as one of the new pillars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With Captain America: Brave New World looking at an impressive opening weekend, the long-term impacts of Sam Wilson and Captain America will certainly have a lot more meaning than an Academy Award nomination for Mackie.
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