.jpg)
Anthony Mackie has been a prominent member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for nearly a decade. He made his first appearance in 2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where his character would become a good friend and trusted ally of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), the former Captain America. The role was then passed on to Sam Wilson’s character from Mackie in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series which premiered on Disney+ in 2021. The actor will make his film debut as Cap in the fourth installment of the franchise, Captain America: New World Order.
Of course, becoming one of the faces of the MCU can’t be easy. During a meetup with Men’s Journal, Mackie shared his workout and diet routine ahead of production, which is slated to begin in 2023. He says he can “eliminate all the bad stuff” while avoiding carbs.
“The most important thing is diet. I go on a lean protein, vegetarian diet of fish, chicken and turkey with assorted vegetables,” he explains. “I don’t really need carbs for energy. I already have plenty of energy. So I just cut out all the bad stuff.” Mackie continues, “I’m going to do this for three months – eat five to six meals a day so I can bulk up. Then I’ll load up on carbs for about a month.”
It may sound easy for the actor, but his six meals a day may be too much for someone who isn’t one of the world’s hottest superheroes. Of course, the idea of a strict diet sounds a little better when you’re starring in some of the highest-grossing movies on the planet.
There are high expectations for Captain America
Mackie is aware of the certain expectations placed on superheroes, especially after replacing Chris Evans as Captain America. However, he says his workouts aren’t too different from when he was The Falcon, and he focuses on core strength for the inevitable shirtless scene. “I’ve always been strong. After doing all the flying stuff, there are times when I have to stay on a board for a long time, get up or throw my feet under me,” he says. “So core strength is always the basis of my workouts. That’s what really matters, you know, because everyone in the audience is waiting for that scene when you take your shirt off. [Laughs] You must prepare your hearts and your caps!”
Of course, there’s some pressure around Mackie as he takes on one of Marvel’s most beloved roles. However, the 44-year-old actor has proven himself in the MCU over the past eight years, where he’s appeared in six films so far, and his Disney+ series focuses on his character. If anyone could be the next Captain America, it’s Anthony Mackie. The actor is ready to prove it when Captain America: New World Order hits theaters May 3, 2024.
