Anthony Mackie gives a hilarious response if Captain America is in the Thunderbolts movie. Phase Four is reaching its end, with She-Hulk: Attorney at Law having only a few episodes left to air, while Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will finish the slate for 2022. As Marvel Studios is getting further into The Multiverse Saga, Phase Five will start in 2023, including films and TV shows for both new and returning characters. The MCU film that will conclude Phase Five in 2024 is Thunderbolts, which will serve as Marvel Studios' response to Warner Bros.'s Suicide Squad franchise.
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After years of teasing the group eventually being formed in the MCU, Marvel Studios will bring several villains and morally gray heroes together in Thunderbolts. Marvel Studios announced at D23 that this version of the Thunderbolts would consist of Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Ghost, Taskmaster, US Agent, Red Guardian, and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Black Widow screenwriter Eric Pearson is opening the script, while Jake Schreier is attached as the director.
Since Thunderbolts won't start production until sometime in 2023, it remains to be seen if the film will include other MCU characters. One player that is, as of right now, not in the movie is Sam Wilson, a.k.a. Captain America. In a new interview with Variety, Mackie was asked if he would show up in Thunderbolts. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier star hilariously said that he "have no idea," reiterating Marvel Studios' secretive process in how they deal with letting actors know when they are expected to appear in an upcoming MCU project.
"I have no idea. You know how it works. They call you the week before and are like, “We own your ass. Come get in the movie.”"
How Captain America Could Appear In Thunderbolts
While Sam may not be part of the Thunderbolts movie, for the time being, Mackie will be busy filming Captain America: New World Order in early 2023. If Thunderbolts begins principal photography after Mackie's Captain America installment has wrapped, perhaps schedules can be aligned for him to appear in the final Phase Five movie. In terms of how Captain America could appear in Thunderbolts, Sam already has a few ties to some of the team members, primarily Bucky. Even though Captain America – whether it be Sam or Steve – has never been a proper Thunderbolts member in the comics, there may be a storyline in the film that brings them together in some capacity.
Even though it would be intriguing to see Captain America in Thunderbolts, the cast may add other MCU characters, primarily players who already have ties to the team in the comics. While he has been appearing on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Thunderbolts might add Abomination, possibly announcing it once season 1 has finished airing. It would be more organic to see Emil Blonsky appear in Thunderbolts than Captain America since he's a canonical member. However, it wouldn't be out of the question if Sam, in a theoretical appearance, would be forced to go after the Thunderbolts since they would technically be considered a rogue team in comparison to the Avengers. Until Thunderbolts comes out in theaters, time will tell if Mackie really isn't in the film or if his answer is a distraction to keep his potential appearance a surprise.