THE HERRO

ANTHONY MACKIE THE ACTOR ON FAME, FALCON AND FIRST-PERSON SHOOTERS…

In 22 years, Anthony Mackie has gone from rapping with Eminem (8 Mile) to headlining for Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) to soaring in Marvel (in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and more). Now the 45-year-old is leading Twisted Metal, a vivid post-apocalyptic action-comedy TV show he’s also exec producing. ‘The whole goal of being an actor is to have no responsibility!’ he laughs. Oh well, not on this one…

Were you familiar with the Twisted Metal video game?

I was very familiar with it. I just sucked at it. I can’t remember one time I won a battle in Twisted Metal. I’ve lost every single time I played. I’m not good with first-person. So if it’s a character running through a forest collecting coins, I can do that all day. I can crush that. But if I’m the person who’s handling, I’m really bad at that.

How would you describe your character, John Doe?

A whacked-out maniac. John is really unique. I mean, he’s an adult, but he’s a kid. The great thing about this show is he’s experiencing everything for the first time. He’s never seen a baby before. He’s never kissed a girl before. He’s never had ice cream before.

How would you fare in a post-apocalyptic wilderness?

Oh, I’m not faring at all. I don’t want to live in a bunker and eat old crackers and peanut butter and rats! No! As soon as the apocalypse comes, take me out. I don’t want to have to try and survive. I don’t understand people who are like, ‘I’m going to beat the odds and live in a hole and get malaria.’ No, no, no, no.

You’ve been on screen for over two decades now. How have you coped with fame?

Fame is a very weird thing for me.

It’s not a natural emotion. It’s not happy, sad, famous, you know?

Fame isn’t the reason I started doing what I did. I was a theatre kid. I would go and do plays. So the film thing... I happened into that. I didn’t go into acting to do movies. I went into acting because I love theatre and storytelling. So it’s been a slippery slope.

What do you remember about making 8 Mile?

8 Mile was my first movie. It’s funny to think now, 22 years later, what that movie has turned into and how it kind of defines a generation. But Eminem was great to work with. He’s still one of those guys who’s a friend.

‘I’M REALLY TRYING TO GET KEANU REEVES TO CONSIDER ME FOR JOHN WICK 5 OR 6

What was it like to meet Clint Eastwood on Million Dollar Baby?

Well, it was pretty amazing to see a 70-year-old Clint Eastwood curling 50-pound dumbbells outside of his trailer in between takes!

Was The Hurt Locker a big turning point for you?

Oh, The Hurt Locker was definitely a huge stepping stone. It was 8 Mile, Half Nelson, The Hurt Locker, [and playing Marvel’s] Falcon. But The Hurt Locker was a huge opportunity. I feel like I’m the most famous actor for getting other actors Oscar nominations! So I tell everybody, ‘If you want to get a nomination, you call me. I’m your guy.’

What has playing Falcon meant to you?

It’s been huge, man. I never expected the character to grow the way it did and branch out the way it has. I love making those little goofy Marvel movies [laughs]. I love going to set with my friends and showing up for work. It’s really refreshing to do something that people are gonna appreciate and look forward to. We just have to give them the best possible product we can.

Do you have a bucket-list project you’d love to do?

I’m really trying to get Keanu Reeves to consider me for John Wick 5 or 6. I think that will make me a cool dad if I had, like, a five-minute fight scene with Keanu Reeves. I’m gonna put up a fight! [Pro wrestler] Samoa Joe punched me in the face in this [Twisted Metal] and I did not go down!