The new Captain America, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, emphasizes the human aspect of the iconic superhero. Mackie, who plays Sam Wilson in the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World, insists that Wilson does not need the super soldier serum to lead. Emphasizing his desire for the character to remain relatable, Mackie believes Wilson represents every man’s Captain America, a regular guy placed in a position of leadership.
Mackie confirmed his stance during an interview with ComicBook, stating, “Yeah, I don’t think he will. I think if you look at Sam, Sam is every man’s Captain America. The idea of him just being a regular guy that’s been thrust into this position of leadership is something that we all can identify with, something that we all can relate to.” This perspective introduces a bold move for the character, diverging from the superhuman strengths of previous iterations like Chris Evans‘ Captain America.
In the MCU, super soldier serum enabled Steve Rogers to confront formidable opponents, including the Chitauri and Thanos. Without the serum, Wilson faces dire circumstances, making his vulnerability palpable. Mackie argues that by not taking the serum, Wilson remains within reach of the audience, allowing viewers to see themselves in the hero. “I think it’s important for him not to get the serum because then that takes him out of the realm of the possibility of any of us being Captain America,” Mackie explained.
This approach also adds tension to Captain America: Brave New World. As Wilson combats threats far superior to his own capabilities, audiences witness the unique struggles of a hero devoid of enhanced abilities. Characters like Harrison Ford‘s Red Hulk pose significant challenges; a single punch could incapacitate Wilson.
While Wilson may lack traditional superhuman powers, he possesses an advanced flying suit capable of breaking the sound barrier and wields Captain America’s iconic vibranium shield. He thus has certain advantages that enhance his heroism, grounding the character in reality while still providing exciting action sequences. Perhaps, after all, he truly doesn’t need the super soldier serum to stand tall as Captain America.
