Anthony Mackie’s first meeting with an X-Men legend on the Avengers: Doomsday set ended in the most wholesome way possible. The Captain America star recalled the heartfelt exchange that left him feeling validated in his Marvel role.
Anthony Mackie got Ian McKellen’s blessing as Marvel’s Captain America
Anthony Mackie shared a heartwarming encounter with Ian McKellen during the filming of Avengers: Doomsday. The actor recalled approaching McKellen on set for the first time. Notably, McKellen greeted him warmly before asking about his role in the film.
Mackie recounted the exchange in an interview with IMDb. “I go to Ian McKellen, he goes, ‘Hello, son.’ I’m like, ‘Ian McKellen, sir. You’re amazing. It’s amazing to work with you,’” Mackie said. He then revealed McKellen’s reaction to learning his role. “He goes, ‘So what are you doing in the film?’ and I’m like, ‘I’m Captain America.’ And he goes, ‘Wonderful… and you deserve that.’”
Importantly, the moment carries extra weight given both actors’ Marvel legacies. McKellen famously portrayed Magneto across multiple X-Men films starting in 2000. As a result, his presence in Avengers: Doomsday marks a significant crossover milestone for the franchise.
Meanwhile, Mackie first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Sam Wilson in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. He went on to appear in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Additionally, the Disney+ series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier explored his journey toward accepting the Captain America mantle.
Subsequently, Mackie officially led his first solo outing as Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World. He also served as an executive producer on that film. Overall, his portrayal has spanned over a decade across multiple MCU projects.
Ultimately, McKellen’s words of encouragement highlight the respect Mackie has earned within the broader Marvel community. Avengers: Doomsday will continue to bring together characters from across Marvel’s cinematic history. Furthermore, Mackie is set to reprise the role in Avengers: Secret Wars.
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