Ian McKellen surprised Anthony Mackie played Captain America
Anthony Mackie has shared a lighthearted behind-the-scenes story from the set of Avengers: Doomsday, revealing that veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen did not realize he was playing Captain America when the two first met.
While speaking during San Diego Comic-Con, Mackie recalled his first interaction with the legendary actor, describing it as one of the most memorable moments of filming.
According to Mackie, he introduced himself to McKellen with admiration, telling the acclaimed actor how honored he was to work alongside him. McKellen greeted him warmly before asking a simple question about his role in the upcoming Marvel film.
Mackie said McKellen asked, “So what are you doing in the film?” to which he replied, “I’m Captain America.”
The exchange left Mackie amused, especially considering his character has been the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Captain America for several years.
Sam Wilson, portrayed by Mackie, officially became Captain America after Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, passed him the iconic shield at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Since then, Wilson has embraced the mantle, taking on the responsibility of leading a new generation of heroes while forging his own identity as Captain America.
Despite now being one of Marvel’s leading stars, Mackie admitted that he still feels starstruck when working with legendary actors. He said sharing the screen with performers like Ian McKellen remains a surreal experience, regardless of his own success within the franchise.
McKellen is returning as Magneto, reprising one of the most iconic roles from the X-Men film series. His appearance in Avengers: Doomsday is part of Marvel Studios’ ambitious plan to bring together characters from multiple superhero franchises for the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The upcoming blockbuster is expected to feature heroes from the Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, creating one of the largest ensemble casts ever assembled for a Marvel film. The crossover has generated significant excitement among fans, who have long hoped to see these iconic teams share the screen.
Marvel Studios has gradually expanded its interconnected universe through the multiverse storyline, paving the way for the return of several fan-favorite characters and actors from earlier superhero films. Avengers: Doomsday is expected to play a major role in that ongoing narrative while setting the stage for future Marvel projects.
Mackie’s humorous encounter with McKellen has quickly become a fan-favorite story, highlighting the friendly atmosphere behind the scenes despite the film’s massive scale and star-studded cast. The anecdote also reflects the mutual respect shared between established Hollywood legends and the newer generation of Marvel stars.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 18, with fans eagerly awaiting the epic crossover that promises to unite some of Marvel’s most beloved superheroes and villains on the big screen.