Actor Anthony Mackie, who takes on the mantle of Captain America in the upcoming "Brave New World," recently shared his perspective on race and his career in Hollywood. In an interview with Deadline, Mackie asserted that his race hasn't hindered his pursuit of significant roles.

Mackie discussed his journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from his initial appearance as Sam Wilson (Falcon) in 2014 to eventually inheriting the Captain America title from Chris Evans. He admitted never envisioning himself in the role, initially seeing Evans as the definitive face of the franchise. When asked if his race played a role in this, Mackie emphatically stated that it was never a factor. He emphasized that throughout his career, his skin color hasn't been a limitation. He added that he distances himself from anyone who might hold such prejudices.

Mackie recounted convincing director Kathryn Bigelow to cast him in a more prominent role in the acclaimed war film "The Hurt Locker" (2008). Though the part was originally intended for a white actor, Mackie successfully argued that the film's themes of brotherhood transcended race. He reiterated his approach to choosing roles, focusing on the quality of the character rather than their race. He aims for "great roles because they're great roles," not simply because they represent a particular ethnicity.

The article also references Mackie's recent comments about Captain America not necessarily representing America, which generated some controversy. Mackie later clarified his stance on Instagram, affirming his pride in being American and expressing deep respect for those who serve the country. He emphasized that Captain America embodies universal values that resonate globally.