Anthony Mackie is hitting the big screen as Sam Wilson aka Captain America in the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; Captain America: Brave New World. Joining Mackie on this journey is Danny Ramirez, who is of Colombian and Mexican descent. Unlike Mackie, who has appeared in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, this is Ramirez’s first time on the big screen for a Marvel movie.
Remezcla got a chance to interview both Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez ahead of the premiere of Captain America: Brave New World. Before we dived into the heart of Sam Wilson, who leads this movie as the one and only Cap, we threw fun questions at the two cast members. And it was very clear to this interviewer that the chemistry they had on screen in Brave New World, that was real. They were goofing off together, laughing, and had the kind of easy comradery you could only dream about when it comes to your lead actors.
For Ramirez, he plays Joaquin Torres, the up-and-coming Falcon. In The Falcon and Winter Soldier he worked with Sam and was handed the mantle of the Falcon. And his character is the balance that Sam needs. He’s young, needs a little guidance, but he’s eager to learn and always manages to lighten any situation they’re in. That’s why we think that if there’s anyone that’s going to have a fire playlist when things get rough, it’s going to be Joaquin Torres.
When asked who would be on Joaquin’s playlist if he were getting hyped for a mission, he was quick to answer. It’s Bad Bunny. Ramirez said, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos because there is… to me it’s a poem on embracing the moment and it’s also sad because he should’ve taken more photos. So in that moment he’s present. He’s like right now we’re taking photos. So I get hyped about that. I get hyped about the present.”
Because they’re so in sync, Ramirez turned to Mackie and asked him what he’d have on his playlist to get hyped before a mission. Mackie was also quick to answer like they’d practiced beforehand. “For me? Busta Rhymes. Take every CD, put it on repeat. And just go through his entire catalogue. Extinction Level Event is the best kickoff of all time. You go back and you listen to Scenario, I would start with Scenario and then run the whole Busta Rhymes catalogue. Nobody would stand a chance.”
Staying in the vein of music, we also asked Mackie if there were any Latine artists that he would want to join The Avengers. In Captain America: Brave New World, Sam is asked by the President, played by Harrison Ford, to restart The Avengers. During our interview, Ramirez whipped around to Mackie and started pointing at himself enthusiastically. When Mackie told him, “You’re not a music star.” Ramirez responded with “Yeah I am” and started playing a beat on his chair.
Mackie’s answer kind of makes sense and now we have to see it happen. “Just because I’m in love with her, Shakira. I feel like she has like some like super powers.” At this point, both Mackie and Ramirez were dancing in their chairs as if they’re dodging projectiles with their hips. And me? Well, I disappeared as these two started goofing off with each other. And it was amazing. Here’s their exchange:
Ramirez: She can dodge everything.
Mackie: Yeah she can dodge everything. *starts singing* Oh, baby when you talk like that.
Ramirez: And she’d be honest.
Mackie: *nodding along* She’d be 100% honest.
Ramirez: Because the hips don’t lie.
Mackie: Men lie. Women lie. Hips…
Ramirez: …never lie.
Mackie: *finally remembering he’s on an interview and looks at me* That’s not me. That’s Shakira.
On a more serious note, Captain America: Brave New World is a watershed moment for Mackie. Because Steve Rogers gave Sam the shield. And some people, well, they’re going to have a problem with it. Some because they can’t let go of Steve and others because… lets face it, because of racism. But that doesn’t phase Mackie at all because being Captain America isn’t a person. It’s an ideal. And Sam Wilson fits the description of Captain America.
Mackie said, “Captain America is not this individual holistic thing. Captain America represents the best parts of all of us. And that’s what Steve saw in Sam and that’s why Sam struggled to become Captain America. Because he didn’t realize the greatness within himself.” And if there are any doubters, well Mackie isn’t going to pay them any mind. Because Stan Lee created Sam Wilson and treated both him and Steve Rogers Captain America as equal partners. “I’m not one to question Stan Lee and his brilliance as a writer because I’m a comic book fan. And I actually love the characters he wrote. And what he gave us as an artist.”
Captain America: Brave New World is now in theaters.
See some clips from our interview with Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez below:
See more clips of our Captain America: Brave New World interview on TikTok.
