Don’t Listen to the Haters: Anthony Mackie Proves His Worth as ‘Captain America 4’ Sets Record Despite Negative Critics Reviews
- Captain America: Brave New World sets impressive record at the box office despite mixed to negative reviews.
- Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford are praised for their performance in the movie.
- Filmmaker Julius Onah sets the record straight about the re-shoots of the movie.
Directed by Julius Onah, Marvel Studios’ highly awaited film, Captain America: Brave New World, starring Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Liv Tyler, and more, was recently released. The 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe follows Sam Wilson investigating a conspiracy involving President Thaddeus Ross.
Upon release, the movie received mixed to negative reactions from critics who praised the performances of the actors but criticized the political commentary, visual effects, and storyline of the movie. Despite unexpected reviews, Captain America 4 has managed to set an impressive record.
Anthony Mackie starrer Captain America: Brave New World sets a record on opening day
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World set a record for grossing $192.4 million globally over the long Valentine’s Day/Presidents Day weekend. It is the third-highest opening for a Captain America movie.
Discussing Film & THR noted that the film starring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford had grossed $40 million in sales domestically on the opening day. It was the second-highest opening day ever for a Captain America movie. The film is the first major release from the studios after the record-breaking movie Deadpool & Wolverine was released in 2024. It grossed $1.3 billion globally in the summer of 2024.
The release of Deadpool & Wolverine not only broke records but also re-energized and reminded the audience of their love for Marvel movies, which was a little shaken after the release of The Marvels.
Captain America: Brave New World is a massive transition for the brand, with Anthony Mackie taking over the duties from Chris Evans, who played the character for almost a decade. Mackie’s Sam Wilson took the mantel in Avengers: Endgame and understood the responsibility of it in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Now, despite mixed to negative reviews by critics, studios have faith that the movie is going to stay in power and turn into a success, especially with the numbers ongoing.
Fans were a little more appreciative of the movie as they shared their opinions on social media, with one writing, ‘It felt fresh, and I enjoyed it. It is one of the better Marvel movies, in my opinion. Great balance of action, seriousness & comedy. Feels a little like a setup movie for a bigger plot, obviously, but I enjoyed it.’
A lot of fans noted that Anthony Mackie’s Captain America is not as bad as what critics have shared. They mentioned that the ardent fans of the MCU have to experience the movie themselves to make an opinion.
However, they clarified that it’s not the BEST Captain America movie, but it’s not bad either.
Captain America: Brave New World filmmaker addresses negative reviews and re-shoots
Surprisingly, Captain America: Brave New World was expected to open with record-breaking opening weekend sales at the box office with positive reviews. However, it has managed to only secure the third-highest opening for a Captain America movie globally. The reviews from critics were mixed to negative, but the audiences saw faith in it.
There have been rumors about the studios doing extensive reshoots and major changes being made to the storyline, which did not go well with the entire thing. The director of the movie, Julius Onah, recently spoke to Phase Hero (via Comic Book Movie), where he addressed the negative reviews as well as the much-talked-about reshoots. He said,
We did one period of additional photography, which is the same in all of these movies. There are so many variables and additional photography, which becomes essential to fine-tuning and coming up with a thing that we know audiences will love.
Talking about the reviews, Onah shared that one has to make the best movie they can and put it out there in the world for the audience to react to it. He also touched upon the post-credit scenes, which are said to be a setup for the events of Avengers: Doomsday. He said,
That came together as we were also just thinking through, ‘How do you want to resolve the storyline of Samuel Sterns?’ and ‘How do you want to tip the hat to what’s going to potentially be coming?’
The filmmaker added, without giving any spoilers, that there are the things that the post-credit scene is setting up, and the audience will be very excited for what’s to come. Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford’s performance has been appreciated by the critics as well as the audience.
Captain America: Brave New World is playing in theaters.
