“Captain America: Brave New World” places Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson as the first Black Captain America at the heart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is McKee’s landmark journey that comes with Carl Rambley, who made his own historical mark as a black superhero 30 years ago.
A devastating co-star as Isaiah Bradley, the ultra-encloser, the sole survivor of a vicious government experiment that took the lives of 300 black soldiers. The veteran actor previously played Bradley in the 2021 Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
With the new film, which opened Friday and ranked top of the box office for the holiday weekend, Bradley settled into a quiet life as the owner of a boxing gym. However, his life is defeated when he is activated to assassinate US President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford).
This role made an impression when he appeared in Fox’s 1994 drama “Mantis” and when he became TV’s first black superhero.
The Crime Fighter was the alter ego of Dr. Miles Hawkins, a fantastic biophysicist who was paralyzed after being shot dead during a city riot while saving a boy. After the tragedy, Hawkins developed an exoskeleton that allowed him to leave his wheelchair.
As Mantis, Hawkins was able to run at lightning speeds, chasing cars and easily throwing criminals into the air. He was equipped with a high-tech vehicle that could fly and go underwater.
Lumbly enjoys a long and diverse career, including Turn, featured as field operator Marcus Dixon in ABC’s spice thriller “Alias,” but he has two roles that appear to stand out for fans He said.
“I was in the MCU, so a lot of people come in and tell me how proud they are,” he said with a heartfelt laugh.
There was only one Fox series going on. After the pilot episode aired, co-creators Sam Raimi (“Evil Death” and “Spider-Man” franchise) and Sam Ham were let go along with four black support characters a few months before the official premiere. It’s been done.
The new producer has been accused of racism by two cast members, an advocacy group and a pilot. He complained that the cast diversity has decreased and that the tone of the series has fundamentally changed from the pilot to highlight black identity. And it attracts more white viewers.
On that side, the “Breathful New World” arrives at an uncertain political moment for Hollywood. As executives from many studios, including Disney, are trying to chart neutral courses, the Trump administration has made an attack on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, scrutiny of films and television series, and scrutiny of talent behind it. It’s raised as much as it is. Already, Mackie has been criticized by several conservatives for comments about Captain America’s character, while others have “wake up” the film and criticised the perceived similarities between Ross and Trump .
In a telephone interview, I spoke surprisingly well with his portrayal of Bradley’s politically charged response to the “brave new world” and his portrayal of Bradley’s continued legacy of “Mantis.”
Anthony Mackey, from left, Danny Ramirez and Carl became Rambly in Captain America: Brave New World.
(Marvel Studios)
What was it like being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Joyride. I love this character and what he represents. I love that he is in the MCU. His story is based on certain actions officially adopted by the government, and ends with a disastrous, tragic, disastrous outcome for a group of black men who have joined the army because they have been bettered and betrayed. I did. Isaiah is a single survivor. But in all of it, he survives in the names of people who have been sacrificed so cruelly. It’s not only brutal, but it’s also the privilege to be given this task. I welcomed it with “Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” but I couldn’t make it happy that it would last in this film.
How was it like working with Anthony?
He was such a great actor and now I have experienced what a great leader he is. But he’s also very enjoyable. There is a lot of joy in the way Anthony moves things through. He demands that people not only have fun, but also feel that they are included. He is active with a wide open mind.
When I learn that Isaiah is about to assassinate the President, I am interested in your reaction.
That was tricky lol. It was very careful to see Isaiah in the world again. After being recognized for his contributions in “Falcon and Winter Soldiers,” he thought he could return to some sort of normalcy. He feels that the world Sam is looking at is something he wants to believe, but he doesn’t know if he can. He gets a boxing gym and he is free in the world. You will think he will not give up on it because of the act of revenge or the imaginary rights of the wrong thing. My first impression was that it’s impossible to play and deal with it. But if possible, what does it look like?
So, what do you think of a comparison between the film and the political situation of the country?
The similarities that people could see were not present when the film was written or shot. These things exist at the same time as the film. Or, films exist as a way of speaking to what we have found in the world at this point. It’s almost alchemy-like, and it’s a historical timing that coincides with the timing of our film.
What do you think is important?
It is titled “A brave new world.” It is not important to me that we sin, that we are prey to fewer angels or fall. It explains what’s more important, what the truth is, and advances the knowledge that there is a lot of things you fear, but you’re moving forward anyway. I think that’s what this movie says. The film has a lot to talk about love, compassion and empathy.
Anyone who watches “Captain America: Brave New World” takes their film and reruns their heads. The “Captain America” I saw is extremely proud of, and it gives me hope when I feel it. The idea of connection is to be brave enough to connect with our fears.
I would like to talk about “Mantis.” Are you surprised that people still remember the show?
The audience that day feels something that influenced them. Understanding that it happened is actually surprising and satisfying. I know that Mantis and Isaiah cherish the spots in my archives.
What do you think the character’s legacy is?
Mantis, Isaiah and Sam Wilson all come from love and don’t necessarily have to. There are many reasons why they don’t. But what happened to them – if changed, destroyed, imprisoned, denied, it did not reach that part in their hearts, including their love. They knew they could endure anything. There is no hatred in their hearts. Hatred is succumbing. It gives you the power you have.
