Especially nowadays, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Anthony Mackie. The actor arguably rose to fame after joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after being cast to play Sam Wilson, a.k.a. Falcon. In recent years, Mackie’s Marvel character went from being Captain America’s friend/sidekick to taking on Captain America’s mantle himself. Moreover, he’s also been real busy outside the MCU, most recently starring in Netflix’s Outside the Wire.
And with Mackie’s rising fame today, fans can’t help but wonder what the actor was up to before all these happened. Well, we’ve got the answers to that right here.
He Made His Feature Film Debut In 8 Mile
In this 2002 movie, Mackie plays Papa Doc the rapper that Eminem’s Jimmy ‘B-Rabbit’ Smith battles with. As it turns out, there are some aspects of his character that are based on his real-life and that’s all because of Eminem himself. “And then he was like ‘Cool, So you don’t mind if I add some stuff in the script about you? I was like ‘About me or the character?’” Mackie recalled while on The Rich Eisen Show. “He’s like ‘No, no just some character stuff’. I’m like yeah no problem.” According to the actor, Eminem got to work, Googling him and creating a new material that “makes fun of me as Papa Doc.” “And I was like, ‘That’s a little personal Mr. Marshall…’”
Following the release of the movie, Eminem won an Academy Award for his single in 8 Mile entitled Lose Yourself. Unfortunately, it looked like Mackie and Eminem never worked together again after this. Nonetheless, Mackie kept pursuing more and more interesting film projects.
He Got Directed By Clint Eastwood
Eastwood directed the critically acclaimed 2004 movie Million Dollar Baby, which is headlined by Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, and Eastwood himself. Meanwhile, they are also joined in the movie by Mackie who plays boxer Shawrelle Berry in the movie. It may have been a minor role but Mackie delivered a solid performance nonetheless.
Million Dollar Baby went on to score eight Oscar nods and four wins, including one each for Eastwood, Hank, and Freeman. Even better, the movie also took home Best Picture. From here, Mackie kept working on other critical hits.
He Starred Alongside Some Fellow Future MCU Actors
For Mackie, agreeing to star in Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker was a no-brainer. For starters, he was familiar with her. And also, he enjoys working with female directors in particular. “I had known Kathryn’s work for a long time. I loved her movies…” Mackie explained while speaking with The Mary Sue. “And I tend to work better with female directors, it’s just a great experience for my every time.”
At the same time, starring in the movie also allowed Mackie to work with MCU actors Jeremy Renner and Evangeline Lily (although none of them probably knew they were going to join the MCU at that time. In The Hurt Locker, Renner plays a new sergeant of the bomb disposal team who doesn’t hesitate to put his men’s lives at risk, including that of Mackie’s character.
The Hurt Locker went on to achieve critical praise, even receiving multiple Oscar nominations, including one for Renner. As for Mackie, he was essentially snubbed by the Academy. And even if he initially felt it wouldn’t matter, it did. “That little f***** matters,” Mackie professed while speaking with Men’s Health. “We try and protect ourselves and say, 'I'm doing the work for the work.' But when that happened with Hurt Locker, it hurt. I had to take a year off.”
He Went On To Star Opposite Hugh Jackman
Following The Hurt Locker, it was time for Mackie to have a little fun. And that’s what makes the 2009 movie Real Steel a perfect project for him. “In my career, I haven’t had the opportunity to do anything rambunctious and outlandish…” the actor explained while speaking with Collider. “When I read the script, I was like, ‘Holy, s***! It’s time to have some fun!’” Real Steel also happens to be an action movie, which is right in his wheelhouse.
Not to mention, it also gave him the opportunity to star alongside Wolverine himself, Jackman. “Hugh is actually a great guy,” Mackie further remarked. “We had a lot of fun. He was always open and responsive and just really cool.” Interestingly, Jackman would have been willing to join Mackie in the MCU too, but it just isn’t the right time anymore for the Australian actor.
Aside from Real Steel, Mackie also went on to star in several other films prior to joining the MCU. These include The Manchurian Candidate, The Adjustment Bureau, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Pain & Gain, and Runner Runner.
What’s seems to be clear is that Mackie already had an incredible career prior to coming to the MCU but joining the superhero world has certainly raised his profile. And from the looks of it, he will continue to be a prominent Hollywood player in the years to come.