Anthony Mackie has clarified his recent “anti-American” quote about the importance of Captain America in pop-culture. The actor, who first appeared in the MCU in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Solder, is now taking on the titular mantel in the upcoming, Captain America: Brave New World, which opens in theaters on February 14. Mackie is currently doing the press rounds to promote the film’s release next month, but a recent interview landed him in hot water with some fans who misunderstood his intention. “Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American,” Anthony Mackie’s clarification began in an Instagram story. The block text post was in response to the actor’s past comments during a press appearance in Rome earlier this week.

“Taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime. I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.”

Following a Q&A panel in Rome earlier in the week, a clip of Mackie’s interview went viral online, where he said that “America” isn’t the operative word in Captain America. “To me Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” the actor began. As you’d expect, the quote riled up social media users who “bleed red, white, and blue.” However, Mackie’s comment was addressing the worldwide importance of a character like Captain America, who represents hope and peace for all, and shouldn’t just be limited to the USA. Mackie continued:

“It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”

Anthony Mackie Says Captain America Isn’t About Race

@anthonymackie

With social media being the hellscape we’ve all come to expect, online reactions were unfortunately (but expectedly) divided when Sam Wilson (Mackie’s character in the MCU) was announced as the next Captain America, replacing Steve Rogers. While “fans” online repeatedly draw attention to issues of race and ethnicity, Mackie says it isn’t as important as Captain America’s true message.
During a separate interview last week with Cine Geek News, Mackie reiterated his point that Captain America should stand as an inspiring symbol across the globe, regardless of background, race, nationality, or other individual factors. “I feel like it’s just as important for black kids to see a black Captain America as it is for white kids to see a black Captain America,” he said. “Growing up my favorite hero was green. So it wasn’t about race or anything, it was about him being a good guy trying to do the right thing.”

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Captain America: Brave New World releases in theaters on Valentine’s Day. Alongside Mackie, the movie also stars Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Ramirez, Tim Blake Nelson, Takehiro Hira, and Rosa Salazar. It is one of two MCU movies being released this year, with Thunderbolts* exploding into theaters on May 2. The long-awaited Blade reboot was originally scheduled for a 2025 release, but has been delayed indefinitely.