Anthony Mackie Is Part Of My Favorite MCU Moment Of All Time, And The Story Behind How He Filmed It Blows My Mind

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Discussing the most memorable moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can be quite intricate since there’s so much to consider, from standout TV shows to poignant music usage. To make it more manageable, we often focus on separate aspects such as top MCU TV series or moments with powerful soundtracks. However, if I were to compile a list without considering the Guardians of the Galaxy films, one scene that consistently stands out for me is the Portals sequence in Avengers: Endgame. This moment, marked by portals opening up, is not only a setup for the biggest on-screen battle in Marvel Studios history, but it’s also the culmination of the “On your left” line delivered by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Every time I rewatch this scene, it gives me goosebumps. It’s hard to imagine a future Marvel moment surpassing that emotional payoff.

Since Sam Wilson’s return from The Blip, there have been significant changes within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), culminating in the Avengers’ efforts to vanquish Thanos, played by Josh Brolin. Steve Rogers then retired and handed over his role as Captain America to his feathered ally, Sam Wilson. In the Disney+ Streaming Service limited series titled “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier“, John Walker (Wyatt Russell) took up the Cap shield but tarnished its reputation. This storyline is likely to be developed further in this summer’s Thunderbolts. At present, Anthony Mackie has regained control of the Captain America shield and title, and will utilize it for noble purposes in “Captain America: Brave New World“.

As Avengers: Endgame was enveloped in such mystery and none of its creators conducted typical interviews for the blockbuster sequel, during my recent chat with Mackie, I decided to probe him about his recollections of the Portals scene. And much like other Marvel Studios behind-the-scenes anecdotes, this one left me astounded. When I inquired Mackie about capturing that moment on camera, he shared with TopMob:

It’s interesting to note that, when you watch these films of mine, most of what you see is computer-generated imagery. This means that, just as you are experiencing it for the first time, so am I. So, in essence, none of us were actually present during the filming; everything was added later. Recently, Joe Russo called me and asked me to record a line on my phone and send it to him. I was taken aback, as I had never done this before. I went into the pantry, covered myself with a blanket, and recorded, “On your left.” I repeated this several times, saying, “Steve, can you hear me? Steve, can you hear me? On your left,” and sent the recording to the Russos. That was all I knew about it.

I’ll never revisit that pivotal moment without remembering Anthony Mackie huddled in a pantry, covered by a blanket, delivering the classic catchphrase “On your left” into his phone. This was later incorporated into the legendary scene by directors Joe and Anthony Russo.

One of the most indelible moments in an MCU film is undeniably the scene that left everyone in stitches. Interestingly enough, this scene was almost cut from the movie, but the Russo brothers persistently fought to keep it. However, its charm extends beyond the reappearance of the MCU characters who were blipped, impressive as that was. What genuinely astounded me was the reference made by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) to a line delivered by Captain America (Chris Evans) in The Winter Soldier, during their jog. This callback added an element of surrealism to the moment, instantly winning my heart over.

2025 marks the year when I’ll be gracing theater screens with three Marvel movies, starting with “Captain America: Brave New World”. This will pave the way for “Thunderbolts” and finally, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. Will these scenes rival the awe-inspiring Portals moment? Only time will tell, but I’m confident that we’ll make memories together.

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2025-02-07 22:37